Page:Celebrated ballad of the lass of Fair Wone, or, The parson's daughter betrayed.pdf/4

 He call'd on holy God above,

As witness to his flame.

He clasp'd her to his breast, and swore

To be fur ever true:

"O yield thee to my wishful arms,

"Thy choice thou shalt not rue."

And while she strove, he drew her on,

And led her to the bower

So still, so dim and round about

Sweet smelt the beans in flower.

There beat her heart, and heav'd her breast,

And pleaded every sense;

And there the glowing breath of lust

Did blast her innocence,

But when the fragrant beans began

Their fallow blooms to shed,

Her sparkling eyes their lustre losť;

Her cheek its roses fled:

And when she saw the pods increases

The ruddier cherries stain,

She felt her silken robe grow tight,

Her waist new weight sustain.

And when the mowers went afield,

The yellow corn to ted,

She felt her burden stir within.

And shook with tender dread.

And when the winds of autumn hist

Along the stubble field ;

Then could the damsel's piteous plight

No longer be conceal'd.