Can't remember a book title; it was literature, country setting

[Goines]

I'd appreciate if anyone could help me with the title of a book I read some of, years ago I checked out at the library. I think it's older, couldn't have been written after early 20th century.

This is all I can remember:
• The beginning chapters were of the interactions of some young people -- a boy (the narrator), and a pair of teens, maybe the boy's sister too.
• There were a couple houses the families lived in, in the country. (they always walked between places they'd go so I didn't get to discover if it was the horse and buggy days).
• at one point, the girl plays "drink to me only with thine eyes" on the piano for the boy because there was a strained implied romance between them. that's the most specific point I have
• I believe they find a homeless man in a forest on their wandering about
• It sticks out in my mind because it created an atmosphere and was well written, calm and not impulsive.

I know it's not "the martian chronicles" by ray bradbury, the only thing fitting my description is it having "drink to me.." in it.
It's also not "delta wedding" by eudora welty.

I may be a little off in my points since it's been awhile and my memory might have changed it a bit, so don't take my full word for it.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate any attempts if you think you might know it.

[Madge UK]

Drink to me only... although an ancient lyric, was popularised as music hall song in the 19thC so that narrows the date down. It sounds a bit like a Thomas Hardy novel.

[Goines]

I like Thomas Hardy's poetry so that would be quite something if that's who wrote it. That makes me want to find it more, and it'd also be a huge coincidence because I started reading the book before I knew who he was. Anyway, we don't know yet so I appreciate your help pinpointing it with more information, it's most likely 19th century. All the information I can get to help find it is useful thanks a lot.

[Madge UK]

I should have mentioned that Hardy used the lyric as a general romantic theme in his novels so may have had a female character quoting it.

It is a song I know well and it was sung a lot at parties in my childhood.

[Goines]

I don't understand what you said in your last post sorry.. the lyric, as in first person or as in song? and it was the female playing the song.

That's fascinating, I've never even heard of the song before this, only read about it. Was it accompanied by piano at those parties?

[Madge UK]

The lyric - the words, the classical allusions, the metaphors which Ben Jonson used are what impressed Hardy. The poem has endured for 300 years so I guess he thought it must have something going for it:).

http://cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides...

Yes it was accompanied on the piano in my young days although I also played it on the harmonica!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy8d_3...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z1vPo...

Johnny Cash recorded it playing the guitar. Sir Walter Scott set his song Country Guy to the tune.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/county...

[Madge UK]

Fans of Thomas Hardy may appreciate this Tale which is an amusing sendup of various novels, in Blackadder style:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jnsr

[Madge UK]

A summary of what is happening in the UK under the present heartless government - a modern equivalent of 'divide and rule':-

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisf...

The pity is that people are falling for it and heaping blame upon their poorer fellow citizens:(

[Teresa]

You might try searching Google Books for that phrase. You might get a hit from some book they scanned.

[Teresa]

Go to www.google.com/books and them in the search box type this exactly (with the quotes) "drink to thee with thine eyes" and click on search. It will show you books with that phrase. Or whatever phrase you think you remember.

[Goines]

I believe it is "The White Peacock" by D. H. Lawrence! searching google books and looking at the preview it seems so far to match what I've expected from the book. I'm pretty sure my search is over -- BIG thanks to Teresa and Madge for helping me. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[Teresa]

Grin! My friend calls me "Sherlock" because I'm a good sleuth. I'm so glad you found it!

[Madge UK]

Goines wrote: "I believe it is "The White Peacock" by D. H. Lawrence! ...

Chapter 1 . Written in 1911. Nottinghamshire, not Wessex:)

[Lily]

The White Peacock by D.H. Lawrence -- a link for others (like me - lol) now curious about this book.

[Quan]

Madge wrote: "The lyric - the words, the classical allusions, the metaphors which Ben Jonson used are what impressed Hardy. The poem has endured for 300 years so I guess he thought it must have something going f..."

Thank you for your links. It's a beautiful song and I've come across it in my readings too and now I have a better understanding of the scenes. Thanks again.