Page:Beachy Head and Other Poems.pdf/79

Rh

Their future progeny beneath her breast; And little slept, and little ate, While her gay lover, with a careless heart, As is the custom of his sex, Full little recks The coming family; but like a dart, From his low homested, with the morning springs; And far above the floating vapour, sings At such an height, That even the shepherd-lad upon the hill, Hearing his matin note so shrill, With shaded eyes against the lustre bright, Scarce sees him twinkling in a flood of light. But hunger, spite of all her perseverance, Was one day urgent on his patient bride; The truant made not his appearance,