The Dinny Math

Nora Hopper Chesson

1871 to 1906

Poem Image

(To W. B. Y.) 

We are the gentle people: 
The passing dust we are, 
With gusty laughter blowing 
Near and far. 
We are the gentle people, 
Nor deal in praise or blame, 
But we stand before your sorrow, 
And we stand behind your shame. 

We are the gentle people, 
And soft our music's blown 
When kindly hearts that loved us 
Are passing from their own. 
We are the gentle people, 
And gently draw away 
The light feet to our dancing 
Night and day. 

We are the gentle people, 
And though our toll we take 
Of milk and meal and water — 
For old sake's sake 
Ye grudge us not, who grudge not 
To watch your folded kine, 
To bless the wheels and the pillows 
And the lace-threads fine. 

We are the gentle people, 
Mavrone, and we shall pass 
Even as the dew, that Morning 
Dries from the short green grass. 
Oh, the dew returns at twilight, 
But not so we — 
We shall pass like wind, so be ye kind 
To the passing Shee.