Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/125

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THE DANCE AT THE PHŒNIX

From scarcely sixteen years above:
Among them sundry troopers of
The King's-Own Cavalry.

But cach with charger, sword, and gun,
Had bluffed the Biscay wave;
And Jenny prized her gentle one
For all the love he gave.
She vowed to be, if they were wed,
His honest wife in heart and head
From bride-ale hour to grave.

Wedded they were. Her husband's trust
In Jenny knew no bound,
And Jenny kept her pure and just,
Till even malice found
No sin or sign of ill to be
In one who walked so decently
The duteous helpmate's round.

Two sons were born, and bloomed to men,
And roamed, and were as not:
Alone was Jenny left again
As ere her mind had sought

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