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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

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| Beside a runnel build my shed, | | With stubbles covered o'er; : • Let broad oaks o'er its chimney 5 : spread, j ( : And grass-plats grace the door„ i | The door may open with a string, : : So that it closes tight; . \. j And locks Would be a uiasled thing, I ■ To keep out thieves at night. \ I A little garden, not too fine; \ I Inclose with painted pales; : j And woodbines, round the cot to j ; twine, : S Pin to the Wall with nails. I r ] Let hazels grow, and spindling sedge, j | Bent bowering overhead; j j Dig old man's beard from woodland ; j -hedge, j j 7 o twine a summer shade. : | Beside the threshold sods provide, j : And build a summer seat; ■ | Plant sweet-briar bushes by its side, j j And flowers that blossom sweet. j | / love the sparrow's ways to watch ] | Upon the cotter's sheds,' j 3 So here and there pull out the 3 | thatch, j S That they may hide their heads. j I And as the sweeping swallows stop j Their flights along the green, ■ | Leave holes within the chimney-top j j To paste their nest between. \ I Stick shelves and cupboards round the \ hut, j | In all the holes and nooks; : ] Nor in the corner fail to put • j A cupboard for the books. i ■ Along the floor some sand I'll sift, | j To make it fit to live in; [ | And then I'll thank ye for the gift, \ | As something worth the giving. \ • fc —John Clare \ ! : I «..J