Second Collection. The Raïlroad (I took a flight, awhile agoo)
I took a flight, awhile agoo, Along the raïls, a stage or two, An’ while the heavy wheels did spin An’ rottle, wi’ a deafnèn din, In clouds o’ steam, the zweepèn traïn Did shoot along the hill-bound plaïn, As sheädes o’ birds in flight, do pass Below em on the zunny grass. An’ as I zot, an’ look’d abrode On leänen land an’ windèn road, The ground a-spread along our flight Did vlee behind us out o’ zight; The while the zun, our heav’nly guide, Did ride on wi’ us, zide by zide. An’ zoo, while time, vrom stage to stage, Do car us on vrom youth to age, The e’thly pleasures we do vind Be soon a-met, an’ left behind; But God, beholdèn vrom above Our lowly road, wi’ yearnèn love, Do keep bezide us, stage by stage, Vrom be’th to youth, vrom youth to age.
William Barnes’s other poems:
