Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/145

Rh There was "The Bull," with sign above the door, And sanded floor.

Unrecognized Sam took his glass of beer,
 * And picked up gossip which the men let fall:

How Farmer Clow had failed, and one named Steer
 * Had taken on the land, repairs and all;

And how the Kimber girl was to be wed To Betsy's Ned.

Sam heard no more, flung down his pence, and took
 * The way down to the well-remembered stile;

There, in the gloaming by the trysting brook,
 * He came upon his May—with just that smile

For sheep-faced Ned, that light in happy eyes: Oh, sugared lies!

He came upon them with black-knitted brows
 * And clenched brown hands, and muttered huskily: