 | Eclogues and monodramas |  |
And she would prate to Mary as she grew,
Filling the child with vainness and conceit,
How ne'er another lass in all the shire
Could touch her Mary's beauty by a league.
And she could tell, nay, well enough she knew,
Mary's sweet face should drive the neighbour lads
Half mad in time: but she was not for these.
Nay, but she hoped her child would bring her ease,
And come to marry in a wealthy house,
And comfort her old mother's latter days
In sunshine and the honour of her name.
Filling the child with vainness and conceit,
How ne'er another lass in all the shire
Could touch her Mary's beauty by a league.
And she could tell, nay, well enough she knew,
Mary's sweet face should drive the neighbour lads
Half mad in time: but she was not for these.
Nay, but she hoped her child would bring her ease,
And come to marry in a wealthy house,
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In sunshine and the honour of her name.
| Eclogues and monodramas | |