For farmer in his sleeves,

For mistress and the shepherd Ted;

They talkt of hogs and theaves—

[Pg 23]

But nothing ate I where I sat,

So bashful as I was,

But kept my eyes upon my plate

And pray'd the minutes pass.

Tic-toc, tic-toc from great old clock,

The long hand did creep;

And every stroke in my heart woke

Nature out of her sleep.

So once, they tell, did Gabriel

Name a young Maid

For honour and a miracle,

And few words she said;

But things have changed a wondrous deal

Since she was nam'd,

If to her room she did not steal

As if she were asham'd;

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