Classic Poem

I love the rath primroses pale brimstone primroses
That bloom in the thick wood and i' the green closes
I love the primroses whenever they come
Where the blue fly sits pensive & humble bees hum
The pale brimstone primroses come at the spring
Swept over and fann'd by the wild thrushes wing
Bow'd down to the leaf cover'd ground by the bees
Who sing their spring ballads thro bushes & trees

2

Like patches o' flame i' the Ivy so green
And dark green oak leaves where the Autumn has been
Put on thy straw hat love & russet stuff gown
And see the pale primroses grow up and down
The pale brimstone primroses wild wood primroses
Which maids i' the dark woods make into posies
Put on thy stuff gown love and off let us be
To seek brimstone primroses neath the Oak tree

3

Spring time is come love primroses bloom fair
The sun o' the morning shines in thy bright hair
The ancient wood shadows are bonny dark green
That throw out like giants the stovens between
While brimstone primroses like patches o' flame
Blaze through the dead leaves making Ivy look tame
I love the rath primrose in hedgerows & closes
Together lets wander to gather primroses —