A THREE-PART SONG

I'm just in love with all these three,

The Weald and the Marsh and the Down countrie; Nor I don't know which I love the most,

The Weald or the Marsh or the white chalk coast!

I've buried my heart in a ferny hill,

Twix' a liddle low shaw an' a great high gill.
Oh hop-bine yaller and wood-smoke blue,
I reckon you'll keep her middling true!

I've loosed my mind for to out and run,
On a Marsh that was old when Kings begun;
Oh Romney Level and Brenzett reeds,
I reckon you know what my mind needs!

I've given my soul to the Southdown grass,
And sheep-bells tinkled where you pass.
Oh Firle an' Ditchling an' sails at sea,
I reckon you keep my soul for me!

THE TREASURE AND THE LAW

SONG OF THE FIFTH RIVER

When first by Eden Tree,
The Four Great Rivers ran,
To each was appointed a Man
Her Prince and Ruler to be.

But after this was ordained, (The ancient legends tell), There came dark Israel,

For whom no River remained.

Then He That is Wholly Just,
Said to him: 'Fling on the ground
A handful of yellow dust,

And a Fifth Great River shall run,
Mightier than these Four,

In secret the Earth around;

And Her secret evermore

Shall be shown to thee and thy Race.'

So it was said and done.

And, deep in the veins of Earth,
And, fed by a thousand springs
That comfort the market-place,
Or sap the power of Kings,
The Fifth Great River had birth,
Even as it was foretold-

The Secret River of Gold!