On Wenlock Edge: I. On Wenlock Edge

When smoke stood up from Ludlow

And mist blew off from Team

And Blythe, a field to ploughing

Against the morning beam

I strode beside my team

The blackbird in the coppice

Looked out to see me stride

And barked, and as I whistled

The trampling team beside

And fluted and replied

"Lie down, lie down, young yeoman

What use to rise and rise?

Rise man a thousand mornings

Yet down at last he lies

And then the man is wise"

I heard the dually sang me

And spied his yellow bill

I picked a stone and aimed it

And threw it with a will

Then the bird was still

Then my soul within me

Took up the blackbird's strain

And still beside the horses

Along the dewy lane

It sang the song again

"Lie down, lie down, young yeoman

The sun moves always west

The road one treads to labour

Will lead one home to rest

And that will be the best"