A farmer's wife, both young and gay,
And fresh as op'ning buds of May;
Had taken to herself, a Spouse,
And plighted many solemn vows,
That she a faithful mate would prove,
In meekness, duty, and in love!
That she, despising joy and wealth,
Would be, in sickness and in health,
His only comfort and his Friend—But, mark the sequel,—and attend!
This Farmer, as the tale is told—Was somewhat cross, and somewhat old!
His, was the wintry hour of life,
While summer smiled before his wife;
A contrast, rather form'd to
The zest of matrimonial joy!'Twas Christmas time, the peasant
Assembled gay, with dance and Song:
The Farmer's Kitchen long had
Of annual sports the busy scene;
The wood-fire blaz'd, the chimney
Presented seats, on either side;
Long rows of wooden Trenchers, clean,
Bedeck'd with holly-boughs, were seen;
The shining Tankard's foamy
Gave spirits to the Goblin tale,
And many a rosy cheek—grew pale.
It happen'd, that some sport to
The ceiling held a
OE.
A magic bough, and well
To prove the coyest Maiden, kind.
A magic bough, which
DS
Its sacred mysteries enroll'd;
And which, or gossip Fame's a liar,
Still warms the soul with vivid fire;
Still promises a store of
While bigots snatch their Idol's kiss.
This
OE was doom'd to
The talisman of Destiny;
Beneath its ample boughs we're
Full many a timid Swain grew bold;
Full many a roguish eye
Beheld it with impatient glance,
And many a ruddy cheek confest,
The triumphs of the beating breast;
And many a rustic rover
Who ask'd the kiss, and was denied.
First
RG'RY smil'd and gave her LoverA Kiss; then thank'd her stars, 'twas over!
Next,
TE, with a reluctant pace,
Was tempted to the mystic place;
Then
UE, a merry laughing jadeA dimpled yielding blush betray'd;
While
AN her chastity to
Wish'd "the bold knaves would serve her so,"She'd "teach the rogues such wanton play!"And well she could, she knew the way.
The
ER, mute with jealous care,
Sat sullen, in his wicker chair;
Hating the noisy gamesome
Yet, fearful to resign his post;
He envied all their sportive
But most he watch'd his blooming wife,
And trembled, lest her steps should go,
Incautious, near the
OE.
Now
GE, a youth of rustic
With form athletic; manly face;
On
SS
UN turn'd his
And breath'd a soul-declaring sigh!
Old
UN, mark'd his list'ning
And nestled in his wicker chair;
GE swore, she might his heart command—The pipe was dropp'd from
UN'S hand!
GE prest her slender waist around;
The
ER check'd his draught, and frown'd!
And now beneath the
OE'Twas
SS
UN'S turn to go;
Old Surly shook his wicker chair,
And sternly utter'd—"Let her
GE, to the
ER'S wife
Such husbands never should be spar'd;
Swore, they deserv'd the worst disgrace,
That lights upon the wedded race;
And vow'd—that night he would not
Unblest, beneath the
OE.
The merry group all
An harmless Kiss, the strife to end:"Why not ?" says
RG'RY, "who would fear,"A dang'rous moment, once a
AN observ'd, that "ancient folks"Were seldom pleas'd with youthful jokes;"But
TE, who, till that fatal hour,
Had held, o'er
GE, unrivall'd pow'r,
With curving lip and head
Look'd down and smil'd in conscious pride,
Then, anxious to conceal her care,
She humm'd—"what fools some women are!"Now,
SS
UN, sorely vex'd,
By pride and jealous rage perplex'd,
And angry, that her peevish
Should doubt her matrimonial vows,
But, most of all, resolved to
An envious rival's bosom ache;
Commanded Hodge to let her go,
Nor lead her to the Mistletoe; "Why should you ask it o'er and o'er?"Cried she, "we've been there twice before!"'Tis thus, to check a rival's sway,
That Women oft themselves betray;
While
TY, alone, pursuing,
They rashly prove, their own undoing.
