Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HAPPY FARMER, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HAPPY FARMER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Saw ye the farmer at his plough
Last Line: The farmer's life may be.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Agriculture; Farmers


SAW ye the farmer at his plough
As you were riding by?
Or wearied 'neath his noon-day toil,
When summer suns were high?
And thought you that his lot was hard?
And did you thank your God,
That you, and yours, were not condemn'd
Thus like a slave to plod?

Come, see him at his harvest home,
When garden, field, and tree,
Conspire, with flowing stores to fill
His barn, and granary.
His healthful children gaily sport,
Amid the new-mown hay,
Or proudly aid, with vigorous arm,
His task, as best they may.

The dog partakes his master's joy,
And guards the loaded wain,
The feathery people clap their wings,
And lead their youngling train.
Perchance, the hoary grandsire's eye
The glowing scene surveys,
And breathes a blessing on his race
Or guides their evening praise.

The Harvest-Giver is their friend,
The Maker of the soil,
And Earth, the Mother, gives them bread
And cheers their patient toil.
Come, join them round their wintry hearth
Their heartfelt pleasures see,
And you can better judge how blest
The farmer's life may be.





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