Greetings, Poetry Lovers! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving holilday, and here we are barreling toward Christmas! Our celebrations will be especially exciting this year as we anticipate the birth of our second grandbaby, a girl this time. :0) Due date is in a couple of weeks, but she could come any time. After working on Etsy orders til 4 a.m., I went ahead and put my shop on vacation mode for the holidays, to be on call as needed.
Speaking of holidays, I came across this old poem and it struck a funny chord with me. Maybe a little too much of a self-reflective chord? It's long, but perhaps it will be a good diversion for you, too. It's by Virginia Woodward Cloud, a writer I wasn't familiar with. She was quite active in Baltimore at the turn of the last century, so perhaps some of you know her work?
The 'holiday' referenced here isn't quite our winter holidays, I suspect, but it seemed appropriate for this time of year anyway. Looks like the illustrator's last name is Birch? I think this would make a great standard cumulative-tale picture book as well; the author kindly left the image details to the artist. I found it in Volume II of The Home University Bookshelf, The University Society, Inc., New York, 1948.
Wishing you a holiday journey with some real rest and relaxation, and a sense of humor too.
The Happy Holiday of Master Merrivein
Virginia Woodward Cloud
"I'll be up to Durley Fair," quoth Master Merrivein;
"A day of rest and jollity, then hie me home again.
With shillings in my pocket, and the harvest-work all done,
I'll spend a happy holiday, then back by set o' sun!"
So blithesome Master Merrivein, all in his Sunday best,
Started straightway for Durly Fair with energy and zest;
His stick upon his shoulder, most joyfully he sped,
But suddenly a voice from a neighbor's gateway said:
"OH, Master, Master Merrivein!
As you go to the fair,
Will you take my tumbler-pigeons to the pigeon-fakir there?"
So, kindly Master Merrivein, he slung them on his back,
The pigeons and the pigeon-cage. (They made a goodly pack!)
"HOLD! Hold there, Master Merrivein! As you go through the town, Will you leave this little donkey with brother Billy Brown?
The donkey is so gentle, and so tractable, 't is said, That, if you don not beat him, he'll just trot on ahead!"
So, kindly Mr. Merrivein, he added to his store,
By letting one small donkey just trot right on before.
"Ho there, you Master Merrivein!
Go you by Durley Fair?
Then please just take these candlesticks to cousin Betty Blair!
This bonnet, in the bonnet-box, I'll add, if you don't mind,
And these few little trifles I will just tie on behind!
"They're for my sister at the Inn, good sir; and mother begs
To add this green umbrella and a basketful of eggs!"
So, kindly Master Merrivein, he took them on his arm
For fear the bonnet and the eggs might straightway come to harm.
"OH, Master, Master Merrivein! Just step around this way!
If only you will drive a cow along with you to-day!
She's the gentlest, kindest animal that ever yet was seen,
And I've sold her to young Mistress Finch, who llives on Durley Green!"
So, kindly Master Merrivein, he hummed a little song,
And the cow she switched her tail about and straightway went along.
"OH, wait – wait, Master Merrivein! Please stop a moment where
The crossroads meet the schoolhouse, well-nigh to Durley Fair,
And give this keg of butter and bag of tarts so nice,
And this shawl and woolen comforter, to good old Granny Gryce!"
So, kindly Master Merrivein, with effort and with care,
Got all these things slung on him – no matter how or where.
"Is that good Master Merrivein? Three squawking geese have I;
I'll hang them on your shoulder, and their feet I'll tightly tie.
Just leave them with Dame Blodgett, anear the crooked stile,
The other side of Durley Green, about a half a mile!"
"OH, stop – stop, Master Merrivein! Go you to Hurley Fair?
Then I beg you take this finery for my daughter Meg to wear,
This flowered hat and tippet, the mitts and paduasoy.
She's at Aunt Elsie's cottage, and will welcome you with joy!"
"WAIT there, good Master Merrivein! If to the fair you go,
Please take my fiddle and my flute to Uncle Jerrygo!
The tuning-fork and music rack, accordian and horn,
Are for his son, who leads the band at Durley Fair each morn!"
So straightway, Master Merrivein, so good and true and kind,
Started him off to Durley Fair a day of rest to find.
But did he find it? Oh, dear me! Go ascertain, I pray,
Of all the curious country-folk who passed him on the way!
FOR the gentle little donkey – that the sight you may not miss,
I'll say it took an attitude occasionally like this –
While the pigeons and the squawking geese, I really am afraind,
That one small picture could ot hold the havoc that they made!
THE cow (that gentle animal!) – to-morrow, at the fair,
Young Mistress Finch may try to sell; I warn you, then beware!
For Master Merrivein found out, to his own great surprise,
That she had an unexpected way of taking exercise.
And all the other articles? Alack-a-day! I ween,
Some things, to be appreciated, really must be seen;
But if you'd fully understand the how, and when, and where,
Go take a day (like Merrivein's) to rest at Durley Fair!
Please visit the generous Carol at The Apples in my Orchard for this week's Roundup, and for her personal post about other seasons in the lives of our families. Thank you, Carol.
