INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 667
And that aged Hobden answered: " 'Tain't for me to interfere, But I've known that bit o' meadow now for five and fifty year. Have tjest as you've a mind to, but I've proved it time on
time, If you want to change her nature you have got to give her
lime!"
Ogier sent his wains to Lewes, twenty hours' solemn walk, And drew back great abundance of the cool, grey, healing
chalk. And old Hobden spread it broadcast, never heeding what was
in 't. Which is why in cleaning ditches, now and then we find a flint.
Ogier died. His sons grew English Anglo-Saxon was their
name- Till out of blossomed Normandy another pirate came; For Duke William conquered England and divided with his
men, And our Lower River-field he gave to William of Warenne.
But the Brook (you know her habit) rose one rainy autumn
night
And tore down sodden flitches of the bank to left and right. So, said William to his Bailiff as they rode their dripping
rounds: "Hob, what about that River-bit the Brook's got up no
bounds?"
And that aged Hobden answered: "'Tain't my business to
advise, But ye might ha' known 'twould happen from the way the
valley lies. Where ye can't hold back the water you must try and save the
sile. Hev it jest as you've a mind to, but, if I was you, I'd spile!"
