POEMS IN THE DORSET DIALECT. 



Zoo things do come, but never stand, 

 In life. It mid be smiles or tears, 



A joy in hope, an' one in hand, 



Zome grounds o' grief, an' zome o' fears, 



It mid be good or mid be ill, 

 But never long a-standen still. 



8. RINGS. 



A veary ring so round's the zun 



In summer leaze did show his rim, 

 An' near, at hand, the weaves did run 



Athirt the pond wi' rounded brim : 

 An' there by round built ricks of hay, 



By het a-burn'd, by zuns a-brown'd, 

 We ail in merry ring did play, 



A-springen on, a-wheelen round. 



As there a stwone that we did fling 



Did zweep, in flight, a lofty bow, 

 An' veil in water, ring by ring 



O' waves bespread the pool below, 

 Bezide the bridge's arch, that sprung 



Between the banks, within the brims, 

 Where swung the lowly benden swing, 



On elem boughs, on mossy limbs. 



9. THE BROKEN JUG. 

 JENNY AND JOHN. 



Jen : As if you coudden leave the jug alwone ! 

 Now you've a-smack'd my jug, 

 Now you've a- whack' d my jug, 

 Now you've a-crack'd my jug 

 Agean the stwone. 



