Author of poem

Mon, 7 Mar 2005 02:42:57 -0500 (EST)

Hi folks,
 
In the course of some literature research on shepherding in colonial Australia, I came across the following poem with a distinct dialling theme.
 

‘‘Methinks it were a happy life

To be no better than a humble swain;

To sit upon a hill, as I do now,

To carve out dials quaintly, point by point,

Thereby to see the minutes how they run;

How many make the hour full complete,

How many days will finish up the year,

How many years a mortal man may live.

When this is known, then to divide the times;

So many hours must I tend the flock;

So many hours must I take rest;

So many hours must I contemplate

So many hours must I sport myself;

So many days my ewes have been with young;

So many weeks ere the poor fools will yean;

So many years ere I shall shear the fleece;

So minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years,

Passed over to the end they were created,

Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave.”

 

The source (James Bonwick (1887). Romance of the wool trade. Griffith, Farran, Okeden, and Welsh, London. p. 120) does not give the name of the poet, but I assume it is someone reasonably well-known. However, my education was very deficient in English poetry, so I haven't a clue.

 

Does any one know name of the poet???

 
 

Cheers, John
 
 
 

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