First Yokel: It's that John Clare's birthday today then.
Second Yokel: Who were 'e then?
1Y: Some upcountry poet from where they eat eels, drink opium ale, and splash around in swamps.
2Y: Not from Casterbridge then? No relation to Tommy Hardy?
1Y: No.
2Y: Well, shall us go to Peter's Finger for a pretty drap o' summat anyway? I've not been so thirsty since nammit tide last Lammas.
1Y: Wi' all my heart.
2Y: What was that poet called again?
1Y: Can't remember.
Why should they remember? Northamptonshire's a long way from Dorset.
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