aware of. If the Squire’s taste don’t suit with your’s, I warrant That’s all you’ll quarrel with: walk in and taste His beer, old friend! and see if your old Lady E’er broached a better cask. You did not know me, But we’re acquainted now. ’Twould not be easy To make you like the outside; but within— That is not changed my friend! you’ll always find The same old bounty and old welcome there. 

 

Eclogue II ­The Grandmother’s Tale

 Jane. Harry! I’m tired of playing. We’ll draw round The fire, and Grandmamma perhaps will tell us One of her stories.  Harry. Aye—dear Grandmamma! A pretty story! something dismal now; A bloody murder. Jane. Or about a ghost. Grandmother. Nay, nay, I should but frighten you. You know The other night when I was telling you About the light in the church-yard, how you trembled Because the screech-owl hooted at the window, And would not go to bed. Jane. Why Grandmamma You said yourself you did not like to hear him. Pray now! we wo’nt be frightened. Grandmother. Well, well, children! But you’ve heard all my stories. Let me see,— Did I never tell you how the smuggler murdered The woman down at Pill? Harry. No—never! never! Grandmother. Not how he cut her head off in the stable? Harry. Oh—now! do tell us that! Grandmother. You must have heard Your Mother, children! often tell of her. Sheused to weed in the garden here, and worm Your uncle’s dogs,[12] and serve the house with coal; And glad enough she was in winter time To drive her asses here! it was cold work To follow the slow beasts thro’ sleet and snow, And here she found a comfortable meal And a brave fire to thaw her, for poor Moll Was always welcome. Harry. Oh—’twas blear-eyed Moll The collier woman,—a great ugly woman, I’ve heard of her. Grandmother. Ugly enough poor soul! At ten yards distance you could hardly tell If it were man or woman, for her voice Was rough as our old mastiff’s, and she wore A man’s old coat and hat,—and then her face! There was a merry story told of her, How when the press-gang came to take her husband As they were both in bed, she heard them coming, Drest John up in her night-cap, and herself Put on his clothes and went before the Captain. Jane. And so they prest a woman! Grandmother. ’Twas a trick She dearly loved to tell, and all the country Soon knew the jest, for she was used to travel For miles around. All weathers and all hours She crossed the hill, as hardy as her beasts, Bearing the wind and rain and winter frosts, And if she did not reach her home at night She laid her down in the stable with her asses And slept as sound as they did. Harry. With her asses! Grandmother. Yes, 

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