Page:Prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer, the ancient Scotch prophet (2).pdf/22

 Tells how a neighbour lad came o'er the moor, To do some errands, and convoy her home, The cautious Mother marks the conscious flame. Sparkle in Jenny's eye, and flush her cheek; With heart-struck anxious care, inquires his name, While Jenny hesitates afraid to speak; Well-pleas'd the Mother hears, it's no wild worthless rake.

With kindly welcome, Jenny brings him in; A comely youth: her joy the Mother shews; Blythe Jenny sees the visit's no ill ta,' [sic]en; The Father talks of horses, fields, and cows, The Youngster's artless heart o'erflow with joy, But dash'd and bashful scarce can well behave. The Mother, with a woman's wiles can spy, What makes, the Youth so bashful and so grave; Well-pleas'd to think her Child such suitor's like to have,

O happy Love! where Love like this is found! O heart-felt pleasure! bliss beyond compare! I've paced mnchmuch [sic] this weary, mortal round, And sage Experience, bids me thus declare.— 'If Earth a draught, of true delight can share, One cordial in this melancholy Yale, 'Tis when a Youthful, loving, modest Pair, With hearts sincere breathe out the tender tale, Walking o'er fragrant fields that scent the ev'ning gale.'

Is there in human form, that bears a heart— A Wretch! a Villain! lost to love and truth! That can, with studied' sly, ensnaring art, Betray sweet Jenny's unsuspecting youth! Woe to his perjur'd arts! dissembling, smoth! Are Honour, Virtue, Conscience, all exil'd?