Multiple figures stand in and around a creek. A man and a woman stand in the foreground;
the woman stands to the right of the
creek while the man stands on two rocks in the water. Two figures in the background
hold onto sheep. Trees line the horizon, and the
creek extends from the centre of these trees. 1/4 page illustration partially contained
within a double-ruled border. The word “MAY”
is superimposed onto an ornamental banner, which is decorated with flowers, and extends
from the top-right corner.
The Shearing at the
Stepping Stones.
O
you brooklet brown and clear,1
Do you know ? did you hear ?2
You among your ſspearmints, ſsedges,3
Stepping-stones with rounded edges,4
Singing ſsoftly as you go,5
Did you hear ? do you know ?6
My rough hands out ſstretched to ſshear,7
Do you know ? did you hear ?8
Shook above ye ſsnow-white fleeces9
Lying round in ragged pieces10
When I heard her accents low—11
Did you hear ? do you know ?12
Trembling then ’twixt love and fear,13
Do you know ? did you hear ?14
While the clean-clipt ewe went bleating15
I for joy of ſsuch a meeting16
Let my fooliſsh words forth flow.17
Did you hear ? do you know ?18
Yes, I claſsped her hand, my Dear !19
Do you know ? did you hear ?20
Saw you ſsomething ſsweet betiding,21
When ſstrong hands ſsmall ſsteps were guiding22
Gently o’er your glaſſssy flow ?23
Did you hear ? do you know ?24