Page:Dramas 2.pdf/264

HOUSEKEEPER.

And why should that be such a mighty hindrance?

ALLEN.

Fie, Butler! dost thou utter, in such presence,

Disqualifying words of age and widowhood?

HOUSEKEEPER.

You are mislearn'd and saucy, both of you.—

But now they are at hand.

Song without, of several Voices.

The sun is down, and time gone by,
The stars are twinkling in the sky,
Nor torch nor taper longer may
Eke out a blythe but stinted day;
The hours have pass'd with stealthy flight,
We needs must part: good night, good night!

The bride unto her bower is sent,
And ribald song and jesting spent;
The lover's whisper'd words and few
Have bade the bashful maid adieu;
The dancing floor is silent quite,
No foot bounds there: good night, good night!

The lady in her curtain'd bed,
The herdsman in his wattled shed,
The clansmen in the heather'd hall,
Sweet sleep be with you, one and all!
We part in hopes of days as bright
As this gone by: good night, good night!