Neighbours

Robert William Service

My neighbour has a field of wheat
           And I a rood of vine;
And he will give me bread to eat,
           And I will give him wine.
And so we are a jolly pair,
           Contentedly unwed,
Singing with supper as we share
           Red wine and crusty bread.
           
Now venison is mighty meat
           And so is trout and hare;
A mallard duck is sweat to eat
           And quail is dainty fare.
But such are foods for festal day,
           And we will not repine
While on the table we can lay
           Crisp bread and rosy wine.

A will to till one’s own of soil
           Is worth a kingly crown,
With bread to feed the belly need,
           And wine to wash it down.
So with my neighbour I rejoice
           That we are fit and free,
Content to praise with lusty voice
           Bread, Wine and Liberty.

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