Second Collection. The May-tree
I’ve a-come by the Maÿ-tree all times o’ the year, When leaves wer a-springèn, When vrost wer a-stingèn, When cool-winded mornèn did show the hills clear, When night wer bedimmèn the vields vur an’ near. When, in zummer, his head wer as white as a sheet, Wi’ white buds a-zwellèn, An’ blossom, sweet-smellèn, While leaves wi’ green leaves on his bough-zides did meet, A-sheädèn the deäisies down under our veet. When the zun, in the Fall, wer a-wanderèn wan, An’ haws on his head Did sprinkle en red, Or bright drops o’ rain wer a-hung loosely on, To the tips o’ the sprigs when the scud wer a-gone. An’ when, in the winter, the zun did goo low, An’ keen win’ did huffle, But never could ruffle The hard vrozen feäce o’ the water below, His limbs wer a-fringed wi’ the vrost or the snow.
William Barnes’s other poems:
