Transcriber's Note: Some of the Headings are in 'Old English Text' font, available HERE.
The Pronunciation Guide and Word List are at the end of the book.

POEMS OF RURAL LIFE

IN THE DORSET DIALECT.

BY

WILLIAM BARNES.

LONDON:

KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & Co., LTD.

1903

TO THE READER.

Kind Reader

,

Two of the three Collections of theseDorset Poems have been, for some time, out of print, andthe whole of the three sets are now brought out in onevolume.

I have little more to say for them, than that the writing ofthem as glimpses of life and landscape in Dorset, which oftenopen to my memory and mindsight, has given me very muchpleasure; and my happiness would be enhanced if I couldbelieve that you would feel my sketches to be so truthful andpleasing as to give you even a small share of pleasure, suchas that of the memories from which I have written them.

This edition has a list of such Dorset words as are found inthe Poems, with some hints on Dorset word shapes, and Ihope that they will be found a fully good key to the meaningsof the verse.

Yours kindly,

W. BARNES

June 1879.

CONTENTS.

FIRST COLLECTION.

SPRING.