XIV. MARY'S EVENING SIGH. BY ROBERT BLOOMFIELD. 1 How bright with pearl the western sky! How glorious far and wide, Yon lines of golden clouds that lie So peaceful side by side! Their deep'ning tints, the arch of light, All eyes with rapture see; E'en while I sigh I bless the sight That lures my, love from me. 2 Green hill, that shad'st the valley here, There, in the crimson light I see, Above thy summit rise, My Edward's form, he looks to me A statue in the skies. 3 Descend, my love, the hour is come, Why linger on the hill? The sun hath left my quiet home, But thou can'st see him still; Yet why a lonely wanderer stray, Alone the joy pursue? The glories of the closing day 4 Dear Edward, when we stroll'd along Beneath the waving corn, And both confess'd the power of song, Your eye o'erflow'd, "How sweet," you cried, (My presence then could move) "How sweet, with Mary by my side To gaze and talk of love!" 5 Thou art not false! that cannot be ; Yet I my rivals deem Each woodland charm, the moss, the tree, The silence, and the stream; Whate'er my love, detains thee now, I'll yet forgive thy stay; But with to-morrow's dawn come thou, XV.. THE DAMSEL'S LAMENTATION. 1 1 ONCE was a maiden, ah, blest was the day! when Young Richard first courted, and told me his love, I listen'd too fearless to what he'd to say then, My heart was too open, too easy to move. 2 He promis'd me marriage,—but why did I hear him? Why yield to his suit ere the church made us one? Ab, now he has left me; no charms can endear him, He's left me to sorrow, and I am undone. 3 Yet, had he been true to the promise he made me, When first he endeavour'd my fond heart to win, O yet must I say, that he still had betray'd me, Our love, all unsanction'd, commenc'd but in sin. 4 Ye maidens, attend to the truth I'm declaring,— O think nought but marriage can sanction your love; Ne'er listen to vows,-oft false is love's swear ing, Be marriage the test the true lover to prove. 5 When two spotless hearts are by marriage united, Then fair is the prospect, the bond of true love, Then love will increase, nor the wife e'er be slighted, And Heav'n will the union with blessings approve. XVI. MARY THE MAID OF BUTTERMERE. TUNE: Allen Brooke of Windermere. 1 THO' beauty shone in Mary's face, 2 Tho' servant she at village inn, Full many strove her love to win, 3 At length an artful spoiler came, And under honour's specious mask, Her hand in marriage bonds did ask; } She, too incautious, lent an ear, The beauteous maid of Buttermere. 4 Of family and fortune both The spoiler spake,-that he was loth To tell his kindred of his love, Lest they his choice should disapprove ; Imprudently she paus'd to hear, The beauteous maid of Buttermere. 5 'Twas told, the marriage rite scarce o'er, The beauteous maid of Buttermere. |