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Tells how a neighbour lad came o'er the moor,
To do some errands, and convoy her home.
The cautious Mother marks the conscious flame,
Sparkle in Jenny's eye, and flush her cheek;
With heart-struck anxious care, inquires his name,
While Jenny hesitates afraid to speak;
Well pleas'd the Mother hears, it's no wild worthless rake.
With kindly welcome, Jenny brings him in;
A comely youth: her joy the Mother shews;
Blythe Jenny sees the visit's no ill ta'en;
The Father talks of horses, fields, and cows,
The Youngster' sartless heart o'erflows with joy.
But dash'd and bashful scarce can well behave.
The Mother, with a woman's wiles can spy,
What makes the Youth so bashful and so grave,
Well-pleas'd to think her Child such suitor's like to have.
O happy Love! where Love like this is found
O heart-felt pleasure! bliss beyond compare
I've paced much this weary, mortal round,
And sage experience, bids me thus declare—
'If Earth a draught of true delight can share
One cordial in this melancholy Vale,
'Tis when a Youthful, loving, modest Pair,
With hearts sincere breathe out the tender tale
Walking o'er fragrant fields that scent the ev'ning gale.'
Is there in human form, that bears a heart—
A Wretch! a Villain! lost to love and truth
That can, with studied, sly, ensnaring art,
Betray sweet Jenny's unsuspecting youth!
Woe to his perjur'd arts! dissembling, smooth
Are Honour, Virtue, Conscience, all exil'd?
