English Poetry. William Barnes. Second Collection. Light or Sheäde. Уильям Барнс.

William Barnes (Уильям Барнс)

Second Collection. Light or Sheäde

A Maÿtide’s evenèn wer a-dyèn,
Under moonsheen, into night,
Wi’ a streamèn wind a-sighèn
By the thorns a-bloomèn white.
Where in sheäde, a-zinkèn deeply,
Wer a nook, all dark but lew,
By a bank, arisèn steeply,
Not to let the win’ come drough.

Should my love goo out, a-showèn
All her smiles, in open light;
Or, in lewth, wi’ wind a-blowèn,
Staÿ in darkness, dim to zight?
Staÿ in sheäde o’ bank or wallèn.
In the warmth, if not in light;
Words alwone vrom her a-vallèn,
Would be jaÿ vor all the night.

William Barnes’s other poems:

1. Third Collection. Comen Hwome
2. Second Collection. Slow to come, quick agone
3. Third Collection. Things do Come Round
4. Third Collection. I’m out o’ Door
5. Second Collection. The Wife a-lost

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