[
  {
    "title": "Nobody Cometh to Woo",
    "author": "John Clare",
    "lines": [
      "On Martinmas eve the dogs did bark,",
      "  And I opened the window to see,",
      "When every maiden went by with her spark",
      "  But neer a one came to me.",
      "And O dear what will become of me?",
      "  And O dear what shall I do,",
      "When nobody whispers to marry me--",
      "  Nobody cometh to woo?",
      "",
      "None's born for such troubles as I be:",
      "  If the sun wakens first in the morn",
      "\"Lazy hussy\" my parents both call me,",
      "  And I must abide by their scorn,",
      "For nobody cometh to marry me,",
      "  Nobody cometh to woo,",
      "So here in distress must I tarry me--",
      "  What can a poor maiden do?",
      "",
      "If I sigh through the window when Jerry",
      "  The ploughman goes by, I grow bold;",
      "And if I'm disposed to be merry,",
      "  My parents do nothing but scold;",
      "And Jerry the clown, and no other,",
      "  Eer cometh to marry or woo;",
      "They think me the moral of mother",
      "  And judge me a terrible shrew.",
      "",
      "For mother she hateth all fellows,",
      "  And spinning's my father's desire,",
      "While the old cat growls bass with the bellows",
      "  If eer I hitch up to the fire.",
      "I make the whole house out of humour,",
      "  I wish nothing else but to please,",
      "Would fortune but bring a new comer",
      "  To marry, and make me at ease!",
      "",
      "When I've nothing my leisure to hinder",
      "  I scarce get as far as the eaves;",
      "Her head's instant out of the window",
      "  Calling out like a press after thieves.",
      "The young men all fall to remarking,",
      "  And laugh till they're weary to see't,",
      "While the dogs at the noise begin barking,",
      "  And I slink in with shame from the street.",
      "",
      "My mother's aye jealous of loving,",
      "  My father's aye jealous of play,",
      "So what with them both there's no moving,",
      "  I'm in durance for life and a day.",
      "O who shall I get for to marry me?",
      "  Who will have pity to woo?",
      "Tis death any longer to tarry me,",
      "  And what shall a poor maiden do?"
    ],
    "linecount": "48"
  }
]