Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/145

COUNTRY SLEIGHING Through bridge and gateway we're shooting straightway,

Their tollman was too slow!

He'll listen after our song and laughter

As over the hill we go.

The girls cry, "Fie! for shame!"

Their cheeks and lips are red,

And so, with kisses, kisses, kisses,

They take the toll instead.

Still follow, follow! across the hollow

The tavern fronts the road.

Whoa, now! all steady! the host is ready,—

He knows the country mode!

The irons are in the fire,

The hissing flip is got;

So pour and sip it, sip it, sip it,

And sip it while 't is hot.

Push back the tables, and from the stables

Bring Tom, the fiddler, in;

All take your places, and make your graces,

And let the dance begin.

The girls are beating time

To hear the music sound;

Now foot it, foot it, foot it, foot it,

And swing your partners round.

Last couple toward the left! all forward!

Cotillons through, let's wheel:

First tune the fiddle, then down the middle

In old Virginia Reel.

Play Money Musk to close,

Then take the "long chassé,"

While in to supper, supper, supper,

The landlord leads the way.

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