Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Thomas Carlyle 1795–1881

The Sower’s Song

CarlyleT

NOW hands to seed-sheet, boys!

We step and we cast; old Time’s on wing;

And would ye partake of Harvest’s joys,

The corn must be sown in spring.

Fall gently and still, good corn,

Lie warm in thy earthy bed;

And stand so yellow some morn,

For beast and man must be fed.

Old earth is a pleasure to see

In sunshiny cloak of red and green;

The furrow lies fresh, this year will be

As years that are past have been.

Fall gently and still, good corn,

Lie warm in thy earthy bed;

And stand so yellow some morn,

For beast and man must be fed.

Old earth, receive this corn,

The son of six thousand golden sires;

All these on thy kindly breast were born;

One more thy poor child requires.

Fall gently and still, good corn,

Lie warm in thy earthy bed;

And stand so yellow some morn,

For beast and man must be fed.

Now steady and sure again,

And measure of stroke and step we keep;

Thus up and down we cast our grain;

Sow well and you gladly reap.

Fall gently and still, good corn,

Lie warm in thy earthy bed;

And stand so yellow some morn,

For beast and man must be fed.