Page:Old maid and widow, or, The widow the best wife.pdf/23

Thus mony a happy year row’d round,
An’ aye their love did mair abound:-
Though Mary’s cheek forgot to bloom,
Good nature still kept beauty’s room;
An’ such this sweetest female grace,
John kent nae change upon her face;
His heart was ne’er ae mament cauld,
Nor did he think his Mary auld;
Except, when round the ingle side,
He glanced at e’en, wi’ manly pride,
O’er lads an’ lasses, ha’f a dizen,
To men, an’ women, round them risen,
Ilk ane mair feckfu’ than anither,
The lov’lier, they were like their mither!
Love’s langest day draws to an end—
An’ gloamin’ came afore they kend:
This happy pair, by death were parted,
John dwined a wee, quite broken-hearted
Forever fled that chearin’ smile,
Which ilka care cou’d soon beguile:
At hame, he miss’d ber e’en an’ morn;
A-field, he dander’d quite forlorn;
Syne butt a langer wish to tarry,
Sunk to the grave— beside his Mary!
Now Mr. Preses, butt a’ banter,
Consider this, as you’re a wanter: