POEMS IN THE DORSET DIALECT. 229 



"Well, where's your road to-night?" 



"Where you should goo by right." 



" Shall I be welcome there ? " 



" To oone, I'd nearly zwear." 



Aye, aye, like that 



We then did chat, 



When we were young together. 



Then we, wi' many dear wold neames, 



Did meet, within zome nai'ghbour's door ; 



An' chap an' mai'd in merry geames, 



Did spring an' scuff about the vloor. 



If oone did speak a little teart, 



Another's answer wer as smart. 



" Come, who have you a-chose ? " 



" Here feace to feace in rows ;" 



" Here now we'll dance a-reel ;" 



" Here voot it, tooe an' heel." 



Aye, we did dance, 



An' hop, an' prance, 



When we were young together. 



Then we, in all our pride, did try 



Which chap could run or leap the best ; 



Or lift the biggest wai'ght, or shy 



A popple truer than the rest. 



" Who'll walk along thease narrow poles? " 



" Not you, my lad, wi' your splay zoles." 



" Now you can't hit the stowne." 



" I can. Whee-it. Well done ! " 



" Well, you can't clear the brook." 



" Oh, can't I, then ? You look ! " 



An' down he dash'd, 



As water splash'd, 



When we were young together. 



