Bright was the summer sky, the Mornings gay, And Jane was young and chearful as the Day. Not yet to Love but Mirth she paid her vows; And Echo mock'd her as she call'd her Cows.
Tufts of green Broom, that full in blossom vied, And grac'd with spotted gold the upland side, The level fogs o'erlook' d; too high to share; So lovely JANE o'erlook' d the clouds of Care;
No meadow-flow'r rose fresher to the view, That met her morning footsteps in the dew; Where, if a nodding stranger ey'd her charms, The blush of innocence was up in arms,
Love's random glances struck the unguarded mind, And Beauty's magic made him look behind. Duly as morning blush'd or twilight came, Secure of greeting smiles and Village fame,
She pass'd the Straw-roof'd Shed, in ranges where Hung many a well-turn'd Shoe and glitt'ring Share; Where WALTER, as the charmer tripp'd along, Would stop his roaring Bellows and his Song.—
Dawn of affection; Love's delicious sigh! Caught from the lightnings of a speaking eye, That leads the heart to rapture or to woe, ‘ Twas WALTER'S fate thy mad'ning power to know;
And scarce to know, ere in its infant twine, As the Blast shakes the tendrils of the Vine, The budding bliss that full of promise grew The chilling blight of separation knew.
Scarce had he told his heart's unquiet case, And JANE to shun him ceas'd to mend her pace, And learnt to listen trembling as he spoke, And fondly judge his words beyond a joke;
When, at the Goal that bounds our prospects here, Jane's widow'd Mistress ended her career: Blessings attended her divided store, The Mansion sold, ( Jane's peaceful home no more,)
A distant Village own'd her for its Queen, Another service, and another scene; But could another scene so pleasing prove, Twelve weary miles from Walter and from Love?
The Maid grew thoughtful: yet to Fate resign'd, Knew not the worth of what she left behind. He, when at Eve releas'd from toil and heat, Soon miss'd the smiles that taught his heart to beat,
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