Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Ride-by-Nights

by Walter de la Mare (1873-1956)



Up on their brooms the Witches stream,

Crooked and black in the crescent’s gleam;

One foot high, and one foot low,

Bearded, cloaked, and cowled, they go.

‘Neath Charlie’s Wain they twitter and tweet,

And away they swarm ‘neath the Dragon’s feet.

With a whoop and a flutter they swing and sway,

And surge pell-mell down the Milky-Way.

Betwixt the legs of the glittering Chair

They hover and squeak in the empty air.

Then round they swoop past the glimmering Lion

To where Sirius barks behind huge Orion;

Up, then, and over to wheel amain,

Under the silver, and home again.







Monday, May 5, 2008

Oxfordshire Children’s May Song

Country Rhyme


Spring is coming, spring is coming

Birdies, build your nest;

Weave together straw and feather,

Doing each your best.


Spring is coming, spring is coming

Flowers are coming too:

Pansies, lilies, daffodillies,

Now are coming through.


Spring is coming, spring is coming

All around is fair;

Shimmer and quiver on the river,

Joy is everywhere.


We wish you a happy May.