THE REASON WHY. 2 19
He whispered in his dream "Jenny,"
And waking shunned my eye ; And so I gave the lad his chance,
Though yielding I should die. So if you love him best, Jenny,
Although my heart may break, I ll keep my oath and help the lad,
For our dead mother s sake ; .
And over yonder stormy sea
I ll take my load of sorrow, To bear it as I may, till time
Shall bring some calm to-morrow. But when I die, above my breast
The hawthorn tree shall wave A knot of ribbon bright and blue
Rest with me in the grave.
A fortnight more ere I can speak
Till then I dare not meet you ; I dare not walk beside you, dear,
In dance or revel greet you. Then, if poor Allan bids me ask
The boon he could not buy, I ll tell you in the lane, Jenny,
Softly, "the reason why."
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