The Poetry Corner

Help Thisen.

By John Hartley

"Come, help thisen, lad, - help thisen!" Wor what mi uncle sed. We'd just come in throo makkin hay, To get some cheese an breead. An help misen aw did, - yo bet! Aw wor a growin lad; Aw thowt then, an aw fancy yet, 'Twor th' grandest feed aw'd had. When aw grew up aw fell i' love, - Shoo wor a bonny lass! But bein varry young an shy, Aw let mi chonces pass. Aw could'nt for mi life contrive A thing to do or say, For fear aw should offend her, soa Aw let her walk away. But what aw suffered nooan can tell; - Aw loved her as mi life! But dursn't ax her for the world To be mi darlin wife. Aw desperate grew, - we met, - aw ax'd For just one kuss, - an then, Shoo blushed, an shook her bonny curls, But let me help misen. It's varry monny years sin then, - Mi hair's nah growin gray; But oft throo life aw've thowt aw've heeard That same owd farmer say, - When in some fix aw've vainly sowt For aid from other men, - "Tha'rt wastin time, - if tha wants help Pluck up, an help thisen." If th' prize yo long for seems too heigh, Dooant let yor spirits drop; Ther may be lots o' thrustin, but Yo'll find ther's room at th' top. Yo connot tell what yo can do Until yo've had a try; It may be a hard struggle, but Yo'll get thear, by-an-bye. Nah, young fowk, bear this in yor mind An let it be yor creed, For sooin yo'll find fowk's promises Are but a rotten reed. Feight yor own battles bravely throo, Yo'll sewerly win, an then Yo'll find ther's lots will help yo, When yo con help yorsen.