Among the green bushes the songs of the thrushes Are answering each other in music and glee, While the magpies and rooks, in woods, hedges, near brooks, Mount their Spring dwellings on every high tree....
The wild duck startles like a sudden thought, And heron slow as if it might be caught. The flopping crows on weary wings go by And grey beard jackdaws noising as they fly....
When midnight comes a host of dogs and men Go out and track the badger to his den, And put a sack within the hole, and lie Till the old grunting badger passes bye....
A weedling wild, on lonely lea, My evening rambles chanc'd to see; And much the weedling tempted me To crop its tender flower: Expos'd to wind and heavy rain, Its head bow'd lowly on the plain;...
I love thee, sweet Mary, but love thee in fear; Were I but the morning breeze, healthy and airy, As thou goest a walking I'd breathe in thine ear, And whisper and sigh how I love thee, my Mary! ...
When nature's beauty shone complete. With summer's lovely weather, And even, shadowing day's retreat, Brought swains and maids together; Then I did meet a charming face, But who--I'll be discreet:...
When the dark ivy the thorn-tree is mounting, Sweet shielding in summer the nest of the dove, There lies the sweet spot, by the side of the fountain, That's dear to all sweetness that dwells upon love:...
Winter's gone, the summer breezes Breathe the shepherd's joys again, Village scene no longer pleases, Pleasures meet upon the plain; Snows are fled that hung the bowers, Buds to blossoms softly steal,...
On the eighteenth of October we lay in Bantry Bay, All ready to set sail, with a fresh and steady gale: A fortnight and nine days we in the harbour lay, And no breeze ever reached us or strained a single sail....
The firetail tells the boys when nests are nigh And tweets and flies from every passer-bye. The yellowhammer never makes a noise But flies in silence from the noisy boys;...
Why are ye silent, Birds? Where do ye fly? Winter's not violent, With such a Spring sky. The wheatlands are green, snow and frost are away, Birds, why are ye silent on such a sweet day? ...
The morning opens fine, bonny Mary O! The robin sings his song by the dairy O! Where the little Jenny wrens cock their tails among the hens, Singing morning's happy songs with Mary O! ...
With careful step to keep his balance up He reels on warily along the street, Slabbering at mouth and with a staggering stoop Mutters an angry look at all he meets....
The red east glows, the dewy cheek of Day Has not yet met the sun's o'erpowering smile; The dew-drops in their beauty still are gay, Save those the shepherd's early steps defile....
Maids shout to breakfast in a merry strife, And the cat runs to hear the whetted knife, And dogs are ever in the way to watch The mouldy crust and falling bone to catch....
He waits all day beside his little flock And asks the passing stranger what's o'clock, But those who often pass his daily tasks Look at their watch and tell before he asks....