University of Virginia Library

But oh! by far the lightest reeled
The graceful Anna there;
Whom every site and turn revealed
The fairest of the fair!
As when to lover, wandering far
Beneath the beams of evening's star
So beauteously serene,
Now hid the gathered clouds among,
Now lovely, as they sweep along,
That star shines out between;
So did angelic Anna glance,
Now here, now there, amid the dance,
Of every eye the star!
At length her lover true, afraid
To tire the soul-enchanting maid,
(For Coldstream way was far)
Took her dear hand, and mov'd with pride
While merrily struck up “Tweedside;”
That done, in triump led his bride
The glad Sylvander out!
Short space the train but deem'd them gone,
And hence enquiring pause was none,
But merrier still the reels went on,
And merrier rose the shout.
It rose—till quick and glibly now
Slid o'er the strings the silent bow,
And you the laugh and slap might see,
Not hear, where mixed the old in glee.
It rose—till round the forms were pushed,
The latest rills the barrel gushed,
When pale dawn opened on the view,
And cocks in chorus loudly crew!

The generous master—absent long—
Was entering then amid the throng.
A ploughman youth attendant bare
A pitcher reeking, rich and rare.
In Albert's hand the glasses glanced,
The music ceas'd as he advanced;
And many a stripling pressed and shoved
To get beside the fair he loved;
And, arm round neck or lovely waist,
From end to end the forms were graced.

Albert, himself, with pleasing smile,
Serv'd round the whiskey-punch the while.
They drank his health who gave the cheer,
The master generous, frank, and dear.
Then, arm in arm, went off the young;
The old men ranted, laughed, and sung;
The candles gilt the scene no more,
And fast was barred the granary-door;
Ne'er to be graced with such a train
Till merry Harvest comes again.