Page:Prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer (3).pdf/21

 The elder children soon come dropping in,
 * At service out, among the farmers round;

come drive the plough, some herd, some careful run
 * A clever errand, to a neighb'ring town;

Their eldest hope, their Jenny, woman grown,
 * In youthful bloom, health sparkling in her eye.

Comes home perhaps, to shew her braw new gown,
 * Or else to lay her hard earn'd penny by,

To help her parents dear if they in hardship lie.

With joy unfeign'd, brothers and sisters meet,
 * And each for other's welfare kind inquires;

the social hours, swift-wing'd, unnotic'd fleet;
 * Each tells the news that he sees or hears;

The Parents' partial eye their hopeful years;
 * Anticipation forward points the view!

The mother with her needle and her shears,
 * Makes old clothes look almost as well as new,

The Father mixes all with admonition due.

Their Master's and their Mistress's command,
 * The Youngers all are warned to obey;

And mind their labours with a careful band,
 * And ne'er, tho' out of sight, to lurk or play;

And O! be sure to fear the Lord alway!
 * And mind your duty, duly, morn and night,

Best in Temptation's path ye go astray,
 * Implore his counsel and assisting might;

They never sought in vain, that sought the Lord aright.'

But hark! a rap comes gently to the door;
 * Jenny, who knows the meaning of the same