Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/447
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE CARELESS COUPLE.
429
Then trumpets sounded, bullocks whole were drest,
Priests with shorn heads and lengthy beards were seen;
'Midst clamorous shouts the happy pair were blest,
For chivalry won Beauty's chosen queen.
Priests with shorn heads and lengthy beards were seen;
'Midst clamorous shouts the happy pair were blest,
For chivalry won Beauty's chosen queen.
And when fair daughters bloomed like beauteous flowers,
To bless the gallant knight and stately dame,
They shut them up within their lonely towers,
That squires might fight for them and win their fame.
To bless the gallant knight and stately dame,
They shut them up within their lonely towers,
That squires might fight for them and win their fame.
But maidens now from hall and park are brought,
Like Covent Garden flowers, in lots, to town;
No more by prowess in the lists 'tis sought,
Beauty's the purchase of the wealthiest clown!
Like Covent Garden flowers, in lots, to town;
No more by prowess in the lists 'tis sought,
Beauty's the purchase of the wealthiest clown!
Alas! the days of chivalry are fled!
The brilliant tournament exists no more!
Men now are cold, and dull as ice or lead,
And even courtship is a dreadful bore!
The brilliant tournament exists no more!
Men now are cold, and dull as ice or lead,
And even courtship is a dreadful bore!
The Careless Couple.
Jenny is poor, and I am poor,
Yet we will wed, so say no more;
And should the bairns, you mention, come,
As few that marry but have some,
No doubt but Heaven will stand our friend,
And bread as well as children send.
Yet we will wed, so say no more;
And should the bairns, you mention, come,
As few that marry but have some,
No doubt but Heaven will stand our friend,
And bread as well as children send.
So fares the hen in farmer's yard,
To live alone, she finds it hard;
I've known her weary every claw,
In search of corn among the straw;
But when in quest of nicer food,
She clucks among her chirping brood.
To live alone, she finds it hard;
I've known her weary every claw,
In search of corn among the straw;
But when in quest of nicer food,
She clucks among her chirping brood.
With joy I've seen that self-same hen,
That scratched for one, could scratch for ten.
These are the thoughts that make me willing
To take my girl without a shilling;
And for the self-same cause d'ye see,
Jenny's resolved to marry me.
That scratched for one, could scratch for ten.
These are the thoughts that make me willing
To take my girl without a shilling;
And for the self-same cause d'ye see,
Jenny's resolved to marry me.