Page:Old maid and widow, or, The widow the best wife.pdf/23

Rh Thus mony a happy year row’d round,

An’ aye their love did mair abound:-

Though Mary’s cheek forgot to bloom,

Good nature still kept beauty’s room;

An’ such this sweetest female grace,

John kent nae change upon her face;

His heart was ne’er ae mament cauld,

Nor did he think his Mary auld;

Except, when round the ingle side,

He glanced at e’en, wi’ manly pride,

O’er lads an’ lasses, ha’f a dizen,

To men, an’ women, round them risen,

Ilk ane mair feckfu’ than anither,

The lov’lier, they were like their mither!

Love’s langest day draws to an end—

An’ gloamin’ came afore they kend:

This happy pair, by death were parted,

John dwined a wee, quite broken-hearted

Forever fled that chearin’ smile,

Which ilka care cou’d soon beguile:

At hame, he miss’d ber e’en an’ morn;

A-field, he dander’d quite forlorn;

Syne butt a langer wish to tarry,

Sunk to the grave— beside his Mary!

Now Mr. Preses, butt a’ banter,

Consider this, as you’re a wanter: