When Late I wander'd/Farewell to Spring
Farewell to Spring
Farewell to spring, virgins and wives,
Blithe bloom when saffron grows dark,
Our harvest is come, come lads to your reaping,
Your sickles are keen, come lads to your reaping,
Come lasses to glean, plow and sow.
The sun peeps so broad, and the twilight is flown
the dawn of the morning throws of the grey gown
Come lads to your labour, 'tis welcome the day,
Your hearty meal's meat shall your labour reply,
Hodge cross his shoulder from the barn bears a flail,
Whilst Nest crosses the stile, on his head a full pail,
Our cattle well fodder'd, to the cottage let's has e
No other pains take on brown bread make a feast
Neither courtly nor costly, nor book learnt we shew,
Plain dressing, plain dealing is all that we know,
No cares run across us, but those loves we find,
Those cured if your sweetheart proves but kind,