University of Virginia Library

So, flowers springin'
Linnets singin',
Church bells ding-a-ling-a-lingin'—
There was Tommy in his glory.
So, one day, I tell ye, afore he
Knew where he was—now, what d'ye think?
Nelly! Nelly! And the start and the blink
Of her bonny blue eye—like some haythen goddess,
Tommy was tellin'; and curtseys as modest:
But dear me! the mischief and the sauce
There'll be under all that! and the quick little toss
Of the head; and then—“I suppose,” says she,
“You don't know me, Tommy?” “Know you!” says he,
And his face all burnin' like the very fire—
“Know you!” and daren't look any higher
Than her knees. “It's lek I've grew,” she said—
“Grew?” says Tommy, and as red as red—
“Grew?” “Would ye think,” she said, “I'm the same
Little gel that used to answer her name
At Creer's—the same you were such a friend to—
The little gel you brought the hen to?”
“Think?” says Tommy, “think!” and it all
Come over him like the burst of a squall
When the mornin' lifts—“Dear me!” she says,
“Look up!” and he did, and he saw the dressed,
And the grew and all, and he looked around,
And—who was he? and he made a bound,
And cleared the hedge, and away like a deer—
Did Nelly laugh? Well, I didn' see her—
But—I rather think not, but—take the hint!
She was goin' to church, so of coorse she went.