The Ploughboy-John Clare (1793-1864)

Soon the night in mantle dark
Disperses at the singing lark,
When the morning breaks the cloud,
And the yard dog, barking loud,
Calls the men and maidens up;
And the fowl, a noisy crowd,
From the hen-roost cackle loud,
When the farm-boy blundering up
Drives the old hens 'neath the coop,
And from the stack, at maid's desire,
Trows the faggot for the fire,
Then in the hovel milks the cow
And from the stackyard drives the sow;
And when the chimney smokes, goes in
Till breakfast's ready to begin,
And in the corner grunts to stoop
And does his unlaced hightops up;
Then off behind the plough afield
He goes, the walebone whip to wield.

John Clare