Pay it I will to the end -- / Until the grave, my friend, / Gives me a true release -- / Gives me the clasp of peace. / Slight was the thing I bought, / Small was the debt I thought, / Poor was the loan at best -- / God! but the interest!

When the corn's all cut and the bright stalks shine / Like the burnished spears of a field of gold; / When the field-mice rich on the nubbins dine, / And the frost comes white and the wind blows cold; / Then it's heigh-ho! fellows and hi-diddle-diddle, / For the time is ripe for the corn-stalk fiddle.

My neighbor thinks me a fool, / 'The same to yourself,' say I; / 'Why take your books and take your prayers, / Give me the open sky;' / My neighbor thinks me a fool, / 'The same to yourself,' say I.

Bright burn the fires in the castle hall. Brightly the fire-dogs stand; But cold is the body and cold the heart of my Lady of Castle Grand.

On my face the bronze an' freckles O' the suns o' youthful Junes— Thinkin' that no mortal minstrel Ever chanted sich a lay

And the pool, it is silvery bright, dear love, And as pure as the heart of a maid, As sparkling and dimpling, it darkles and shines In the depths of the heart of the glade.

Above the rocks of grief and tears! / 'Tis wealth enough of joy for me / In summer time to simply be.

When summer time has come, and all / The world is in the magic thrall / Of perfumed airs that lull each sense / To fits of drowsy indolence; / When skies are deepest blue above, / And flow'rs aflush,--then most I love

Let the others rant an' roam. When they git away from home.

Oh it were sweet to think / That May should be ours again, / Hoping it not, I shrink, / Out of the sight of men.