The Arethusa/Ere Around the Huge Oak
For other versions of this work, see Ere Around the Huge Oak.
ERE AROUND THE HUGE OAK.
Ere around the huge oak that o’ershadows yon mill,
The fond ivy had dar’d to entwine;
Ere the church was a ruin that nods on the hill,
Ere a rook built his nest on the pine,
The fond ivy had dar’d to entwine;
Ere the church was a ruin that nods on the hill,
Ere a rook built his nest on the pine,
Could I trace back the time, a far distant date,
Since my forefathers toil’d in this field;
And the farm I now hold on your honour’s estate,
Is the same that my grandfather till’d.
Since my forefathers toil’d in this field;
And the farm I now hold on your honour’s estate,
Is the same that my grandfather till’d.
He, dying, bequeath’d to his son a good name,
Which unsullied descended to me;
For my child I’ve preserv’d it, unblemish’d with shame,
And it still from a spot shall be free.
Which unsullied descended to me;
For my child I’ve preserv’d it, unblemish’d with shame,
And it still from a spot shall be free.