If I Should Ever By Chance

IF I should ever by chance grow rich

I’ll buy Codham, Cockridden, and Childerditch,

Roses, Pyrgo, and Lapwater,

And let them all to my elder daughter.

The rent I shall ask of her will be only

Each year’s first violets, white and lonely,

The first primroses and orchises—

She must find them before I do, that is.

But if she finds a blossom on furze

Without rent they shall all for ever be hers,

Codham, Cockridden, and Childerditch,

Roses, Pyrgo and Lapwater,—

I shall give them all to my elder daughter.