'Squire Norton's Song (III)'

The Village Coquettes, An Operatic Burletta in Two Acts (1836). London: John Dicks. 

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Dickens, Charles. 'Squire Norton's Song (III).' The Village Coquettes (1836): p.14. Dickens Search. Eds. Emily Bell and Lydia Craig. Accessed [date]. https://dickenssearch.com/verse/1836-The_Village_Coquettes_Squire_Nortons_SongIII.

There’s a charm in spring, when ev’rything 

Is bursting from the ground;

When pleasant show’rs bring forth the flow’rs 

And all is life around.

In summer day, the fragrant hay

Most sweetly scents the breeze;

And all is still, save murm’ring rill,

Or sound of humming bees.

Old autumn come; - with trusty gun

In quest of birds we roam:

Unerring aim, we mark the game,

And proudly bear it home.

A winter’s night has its delight,

Well warmed to bed we go:

A winter’s day, we’re blithe and gay,

Snipe-shooting in the snow. 

A country life, without the strife,

And noisy din of town,

Is all I need, I take no heed

Of splendour or renown.

And when I die, oh, let me lie,

Where trees above me wave;

Let wild plants bloom around my tomb,

My quiet country grave!