My Mary

Who lives where Beggars rarley speed?
And leads a humdrum life indeed
As none besides herself would lead
My Mary

Who lives where noises never cease?
And what wi' hogs and ducks and geese
Can never have a minutes peace
My Mary

Who nearly battl'd to her chin
Bangs down the yard thro thick and thin?
Nor picks a road nor cares a pin
My Mary

Who (save in sunday bib and tuck)
Goes daily (waddling like a duck)
Oer head and ears in grease and muck
My Mary

Unus'd to pattins or to clogs
Who takes the swill to serve the hogs?
And steals the milk for cats and dogs.
My Mary

Who frost and Snow as hard as nails
Stands out o' doors and never fails
To wash up things and scour the pails
My Mary

Who bussles day and night in short
At all catch jobs of every sort.
...etc.

-John Clare, Major Works, Oxford's World Classics.