[Dorset dialect poetry.] Three pamphlets of poems by ‘Two Darset Maids’: one titled ‘Ye Olde Dorset Fayre’, and two (different) titled ‘Wole Darset Vayre’.

Three scarce items: no other copy traced. The three pamphlets are uniform in design, each consisting of 4pp, 12mo, stapled into card wraps with title and date beneath the Borough crest. Presumably produced for distribution at the annual town fair. The text of each poem covers all four pages. The first two are in good condition, lightly aged; the last is in fair condition, slightly ruckled and spotted. ONE: ‘Ye Olde Dorset Fayre’. At the Royal Palm Court, Weymouth, 22 and 23 August 1923. Poem ‘By Two Darset Maids’ beginning: ‘Come in, me vriends, and look around, / We got all zarts to zell:’. TWO: ‘Wole Darset Vayre’. At Sidney Hall, Weymouth, 24 and 25 August 1927. Poem titled ‘A Liddle bit more o’ it’, ‘By the zame Two Darset Maids.’ Beginning: ‘Yer we be agen, me vriends, / At another wole Darset Vayre;’. THREE: ‘Wole Darset Varye’. At New Hall and Schools, Baptist Chapel, Weymouth, 21, 22 and 23 August 1929. ‘Arthur Nicholls’ lightly stamped in red at head of cover. Poem titled ‘The Vinish o’ it’, by ‘Zame Maids as avore.’ Beginning: ‘You ’ad the beginnin’ o’ this yer rhyme / Nigh on zix year ago;’ See image.