Page:Celebrated ballad of the lass of Fair Wone, or, The parson's daughter betrayed.pdf/3

 He sent the maid his picture, girt

With diamond, pearl, and gold ;

And silken paper, sweet with musk,

This gentle message told:

“Let go thy sweethearts, one and all ;

“Shalt thou be basely woo'd,

"That worthy art to gain the heart,

“Of youths of noble blood ?

"The tale I would to thee bewray,

“In secret must be said.

"At midnight hour I'll seek thy bower

"Fair last be not afraid.

“And when the amorous nightingale

“Sings sweetly to his mate,

"I'll pipe my quailcall from the field:

“Be kind, nor make me wait."

In cap and mantle clad he came,

At night, with lonely tread;

Unseen, and silent as the mist,

And hush'd the dogs with bread.

And when the amorous nightingale

Sung sweetly to his mate,

She heard his quailcall in the field,

And, ah! ne'er made him wait:

The words he whisper'd were so soft,

They won her ear and heart-

How soon will she, who loves, believe!

How deep a lover's art!

No lure, no soothing guise, he spar'd,

To banish virtuous shame;