"Twas her own labour did the fleece prepare; And think, no doubt, she been the greatest wight on ground. Albeit ne flattery did corrupt her truth, Or dame, the sole additions she did hear; Yet these she challeng'd, these she held right dear; Ne would esteen him act as mought behove But there was eke a mind which did that title love. One ancient hen she took delight to feed, Herbs, too, she knew, and well of each could speak, And more I fain would sing, disdaining here to rhyme. Yet euphrasy may not be left unsung, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around, And plantain ribb'd, that heals the reaper's wound, To lurk amidst the labours of her loom, And crown her kerchief clean with mickle rare perfume. And here trim rosemarine, that whilom crown'd A sacred shelter for its branches here, Where edg'd with gold its glittering skirts appear. Nor ever would she more with thane and lordling dwell. Here oft the dame, on Sabbath's decent eve, Hymned such psalms as Sternhold forth did mete; If winter 'twere, she to her hearth did cleave, But in her garden found a summer seat: Sweet melody! to hear her then repeat How Israel's sons, beneath a foreign king, While taunting foemen did a song intreat, All for the nonce untuning every string, Uphung their useless lyres-small heart had they to sing. For she was just, and friend to virtuous lore, And tortuous death was true Devotion's meed; And simple Faith in iron chains did mourn, That nould on wooden image place her creed; And lawny saints in smould'ring flames did burn: Ah, dearest Lord! forefend thilk days should e'er return. In elbow chair, like that of Scottish stem, Our sov'reign prince and liefest liege is plac'd, Right well she knew each temper to descry, To thwart the proud, and the submiss to raise, Some with vile copper prize exalt on high, And some entice with pittance small of praise, And other some with baleful sprig she 'frays: E'en absent, she the reins of power doth hold, While with quaint arts the giddy crowd she sways; Forewarn'd, if little bird their pranks behold, "Twill whisper in her ear, and all the scene unfold. Lo now with state she utters the command! Ah! luckless he, and born beneath the beam For brandishing the rod, she doth begin To loose the brogues, the stripling's late delight! And down they drop, appears his dainty skin, Fair as the furry coat of whitest ermilin. O ruthful scene! when from a nook obscure His little sister doth his peril see; All playful as she sate she grows demure, She finds full soon her wonted spirits flee; She meditates a prayer to set him free; Nor gentle pardon could this dame deny, (If gentle pardon could with dames agree,) To her sad grief that swells in either eye, And wrings her so that all for pity she could die. No longer can she now her shrieks command, On thee she calls, on thee her parent dear! And soon a flood of tears begins to flow, But ah! what pen his piteous plight may trace? The form uncouth of his disguised face! The pallid hue that dyes his looks amain? The plenteous shower that does his cheek distain ? Ne hopeth aught of sweet reprieve to gain, Or when from high she levels well her aim, And through the thatch his cries each falling stroke proclaim, The other tribe aghast, with sore dismay And from their fellow's hateful wounds beware, See to their seats they hye with merry glee, All but the wight of bum y-galled, he Abhorreth bench and stool, and fourm, and chair, (This hand in mouth y-fix'd, that rends his hair,) |