Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/163

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FRIENDS BEYOND

Lady.—"You may have my rich brocades, my laces; take each household key;
Ransack coffer, desk, bureau;
Quiz the few poor treasures hid there, con the letters kept by me."

Far.—"Ye mid zell my favorite heifer, ye mid let the charlock grow,
Foul the grinterns, give up thrift."
Wife.—"If ye break my best blue china, children, I sha'n't care or ho."

All—"We've no wish to hear the tidings, how the people's fortunes shift;
What your daily doings are;
Who are wedded, born, divided; if your lives beat slow or swift.

"Curious not the least are we if our intents you make or mar,
If you quire to our old tune.
If the City stage still passes, if the weirs still roar afar."

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