John Clare - Hodge lyrics

He plays with other boys when work is done But feels too clumsy and too stiff to run Yet where there's mischief he can find a way The first to join and last [to run] away What's said or done he never hears or minds But gets his pence for all the eggs he finds He thinks his master's horses far the best And always labours longer than the rest In frost and cold though lame he's forced to go The call's more urgent when he journeys slow In surly speed he helps the maids by force And feeds the cows and hallos till he's hoarse And when he's lame they only jest and play And bid him throw his kiby heels away