Poems (Merrill)/Rural Delight

by Clara A. Merrill

RURAL DELIGHT

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The farmer in the early spring
 Plants fields of yellow corn—
How cheerily we hear him sing
 While out in the dews of morn!
All thro' the long, bright Summer
 He works among the grain;
And sees the tender corn blades grow
 Strengthen'd by sun and rain.

He sees with pride the yellow silk
 Around the corn-cob curled,—
Oh, the jolly, jolly farmer
 Is the happiest chap in the world.
How the cows do love, at supper time
 To eat the sweet corn meal!
How eager are they for their share
 As the farmers dip and deal.

The dairy maid with honest pride
 Beams, as with joy she sees
The shelves that she with skill has piled
 With butter and with cheese.
When Autumn comes and big tall stalks
 With golden ears are laden;
In order comes the "husking bee,"
 For merry Youth and Maiden.

And when the ripe "red ear" is found
 By some pretty winsome miss
The swain, "Old Custom" will observe
 And steal the wonted kiss.
The music and the laughter soars
 To the rafters overhead;
As they trip the "light fantastic toe"
 With an airy, fairy tread.

Then the Pumpkin Pie and Doughnuts come.—
 At the close of the mazy dance
Each swain escorts his sweetheart home
 (If he can get the chance!)
Thus joy and love will enter in
 The lot with honest toil;
As the farmer reaps his rich reward
 From tilling of the soil.