University of Virginia Library

Wereover many a stile neeth willows grey
The winding footpath leaves the public way
Free from the dusty din & ceasless chime
Of bustling waggons in the summer time
Crossing a brook—were braving storms in vain
Two willows fell & still for brigs remain
Corn field & clover closes leading down
In peacful windings to the neighbouring town
Were on bridge wall or rail or trees smooth bark
The passing eye is often stopt to mark
The artless vanity of village swains
Who spend a leisure hour with patient pains
& put to sculptors purposes the knife
To spin a cobweb for an after life
Nicking the letters of their little names
In rudest forms that untaught science frames
Pleasd with the feeblest shadow of renown
That warms alike the noble and the clown
Nigh to that path a sheltering hedge beside
A Cottage stands in solitary pride
Whose thatch with housleek flowers is yellowd oer
Where flock the bees from hives agen the door
Lonly & sweet as ever welcome spring
Neer fails its pleasant visitors to bring
Trees sheltering round it hide returning rooks
& twittering swallows seek its chimney nooks
In peace the sparrow chirps its joyous calls
& takes the feather to the crevisd walls
Nor fails the harmless robin & the wren
To seek such sweet secluded haunts agen
Beneath the eaves the martins still repair
& yearly build their mortard dwelling there
Here Jinney livd to grace the lovly scenes
Fair as the spring sweet blushing in her teens
& mid her flowers & linnets wistling nigh
Has often met the strangers passing eye
Beneath the eldern sitting in the cool
Knitting her hoes or winding at her spool
The fairest village maid around for miles
Mingling by turns her dittys & her smiles
Her parents joy she was their hearts to glad
Their only hopes for she was all they had
Nor once their warmest wishes she decievd
She heard their counsels & their truth believd
With their advice thro life she journeyd on
Nor did a wrong unless to love be one
Tho in an humble way her friends livd well
& had their butter & their eggs to sell
While such like errands fell to Jinneys share
Who weekly went to market with her ware
Gracfully drest some lovers eye to win
For Jinneys bosom felt that harmless sin
Nor faild she long tho little done by dress
To crown her artless wishes with success
Once journ[ey]ing thither Jockey met her view
Opening the gate as she was passing thro'
She blushd supprise he bended oer his hook
& as she left him turnd him round to look
Her cheek was rosey for the day was warm
Her hat untyd & basket on her arm
She felt his look but never turnd agen
Shed long been cautiond not to stare at men
& as her hand that held with jealous trust
Her folded gown from sweeping in the dust
Let go with modest fears its hold behind
He felt more touchd & blest her in his mind
& tho she nimbly glided from his sight
Her face & manners left a fixt delight
& in his bosom found a lasting place
Time nor fresh faces coud no more deface
& Jinney felt she knew not hardly how
A fluttering somthing never known till now
She wonderd what the strangers look coud mean
& thought she likd him best of all shed seen
Nor coud she help conjecturing on the sight
& guessd & guess'd & hopd she guessd the right
Shed feign made light of all she thought she knew
But thoughts grew stronger as they older grew
Nor helpd she wishing in her reasons spite
Hed gen be there returning home at night
& spite of what her mother said of men
Hopd as she passd hed hold the gate agen
Meanwhile the swain with mellancholly speed
Pursued his toils & drove his flocks to feed
Go were he woud his mind was hard to please
His heart was wandering & but ill at ease
The hat untyd the rosey burning cheek
Was with him all the day & all the week
Nor woud they leave him while the night sojournd
In dreams the teazing pleasures still returnd
Jenny the same was often wakd from sleep
Wi clapping gates & bleat of droving sheep
& startling shepherds every now & then
Crossing her path & holding gates agen
Each market morning as she passd the place
Past reccolections reddend in her face
The strangers look rose burning in her mind
& made her often turn to look behind
While virgin fears in matters yet untryd
Woud feign forget it but the heart denyd
As when in dreams the stranger shepherd came
She seemd to flye & hide her head for shame
But soon as woke—the startling vision bye
To find 'em dreams she coudnt help but sigh
Thus weeks & months wi' Jocky & wi Jane
Finishd their rounds & toild em oer again
Finding each heart in blindfold hopes the same
& leaving heavier every time they came
Each felt & wishd what neither dard pursue
& each as warmly lovd but neither knew
Jockey had known her name ere sin the day
He met the maiden on her market way
Ere sin he op'd the gate in hopes to please
& for his kindness lost his heart & ease
By passing folks then made enqu[i]reys good
Of whom she was & were her cottage stood
& oft essayd to start when doubts delayd
& spoilt but every resolution made
As reason turnd him round to think awhile
Dropt on a hill or leaning oer a stile
Judging how vain such follys to pursue
To be a fool & thus declare it too
By seeking one he never knew before
& ask admission at a strangers door
Where jealous dames or grannys might reside
& take his visit on the blackest side
To think him one who came with vile excuse
Their artless Jinneys ignorance to seduce
For such are often by experience wise
& knows seduction masks in loves disguise
& most old women have a jealous fear
That doubts of tokens speaking most sincere
Deeming the ways that wooers have to win
A dangerous poison in a gilden skin
& lovers oft from their suspecting doubt
Have mountains as it were to climb about
& ere they gain their wishes meet from hence
The worst of pains attendant on suspence
Thus Jockey thought as onward he sojournd
& started often & as oft returnd
He doubted much & dreaded to attend
Loves fickle footsteps to its journeys end
Till on a sunday fully bent he rose
To mend or bring the matter to a close
& thus attird in his best hopes & dress
His heart warmd often thinking on success
Then dampt again but wether fail or speed
He journeyd on determind to proceed
Soon Jennys cottage rose upon his sight
Enquirey questiond & it was the right
A boy was tending horses near the spot
Who showd the pathway leading to the cott
& answering things which Jockey lovd to hear
Reviving hopes & lessening many a fear
As how the friends of Jinney were as free
As any people living need to be
& as for her shed every bodys praise
For modest manners & good naturd ways
& as thus far when Jockey matters found
& to the point contrivd to veigle round
Bout who kept Jinney company & that
The boy guessd matters cockd his napless hat
Rose up & gan his horses names to bawl
& leeving turnd to mumble “none at all”
Twas quite enough just as he wishd forsooth
Far as boys storys might be taen for truth
It lightnd up his heart such things to find
& made him hope success was in the wind
The cottage door was now upon his view
The twisting woodbines round the window grew
The birds were wistling—ah how blest they seemd
To be so near the object he esteemd
An odd cow fed upon the neighbouring moor
& three cade lambs were playing near the door
Who livd by tender care & tamely stood
To sip from Jennys hand their daily food
Now past remembrance gan to flutter high
To think the lovly stranger was so nigh
& former doubts rose topmost in their sway
& hopes on point to blossom dyd away
To see her gen hed just go wander round
& end the rest when better chance was found
The dog gun barking as he crossd the moor
The poultry noisd & open came the door
Trifles een scares in such a lonly place
Were even birds dislike a strangers face
Jockey just turnd a shanny sideling eye
To see who noticd as he lingerd bye
Ah now thy courage love—twas past with him
A shivering ague trembld every limb
His hearts sensations oer its past delight
Een flutterd like a birds as well it might
That self same look that beautys lingering beams
Kept bright so long by fancy & by dreams
That very face which he one morning met
& thought it lovliest he'd ere seen as yet
For whom the gate was opd & shut wi sighs
That lovley girl was now before his eyes
What must he say fear fixt him to the spot
He woud have made excuse but had it not
Love is so timid while it is so young
He coud not own it how his heart was wrung
Yet inly wishd the while that she but knew
What he coud tell so tender & so true
His looks had meaning but young loves are shy
& plainest questions promt a first reply
But false hopes pleasant while the test is tryd
He durst not speak for fear of being denyd
Tho Jinnys sweet simplicity & grace
Denyd ill nature in her lovley face
& half confirmd it as he shoold along
By saying “good day” but Jockeys skill was young
He knew it not or dare not yet pursue
The little chances which in love he knew
His hearts flushd wish the faultering tongue denyd
He turnd to speak but only lookd & sighd
& as he twirld his stick & soodld on
He left his blessings were his heart was gone
For such good nature at a strangers door
Made love burn stronger then it did before
& from that hour he vowd none else shoud be
His future wife if Jinny woud agree
There lay the doubt which paind his heart to think
Nor let him nightly hardly sleep a wink
& thus in anguish as he homward went
Oer gate & stile conjecturingly he bent
Making resolves as soon as he coud find
A chance renewd to boldly speak his mind
& deep repenting over what was past
To be so foolish as let slip the last
Great was the conflict labouring in his breast
Which only lovers can explain the best
Conscerns of love are dangerously deferd
Ere equal oppertunitys occurd
A bolder lover might drop in the while
& all the present hopes entirely spoil
He knew it well & dreaded what he knew
A maid so blooming & so lovley too
Like blossoms blooming fairer then the rest
Attention drew from every one that past
Urgd every eye with tempting gaze to turn
& left some hearts with quicker pulse to burn
In sleepless pain that night was passd away
His heart had left him & his thoughts astray
Fancy was picturing in his wandering head
How Jane was sleeping in her peacfull bed
Unconsious there of all her felt & knew
Of how he lovd & dreaded to pursue
& tossd & turnd while coward consience chid
To meet such chance & pass it as he did
But all was vain the past was past as then
& too far travelld to be calld agen
Yet ere he turnd him to retreating rest
These wilder wishes left his aching breast
“Ah powerfull night was but thy chances mine
Had I but ways to come at joys as thine
Spite of thy wizard look & sable skin
The ready road to bliss tis thine to win
All nature owns of beautiful or sweet
In thy embraces now unconsious meet
Young Jinney ripening into womanhood
That hides from day like lilys while in bud
To thy grim visage blooms in all her charms
& comes like eve unblushing to thy arms
Of thy black mantle coud I be possest
How woud I pillow on her panting breast
& try those lips were trial rude beseems
& breath my spirit in her very dreams
That neer a thought might wander from her heart
But I possest it or ensurd a part
Of all the blessing[s] that belong to thee
Had I this one how happy shoud I be”
Beauty thou sun shine of the passing hour
At once so lovley & so frail a flower
Gilt toy of life—with which all plays his part
Thou universal empress of the heart
Who woud not wish for hearts ease in thy room
One less delightfull or of longer bloom
Coud love while doating on thy looks so fair
But turn to days when time shall meddle there
& but reflect of its illfated spell
Pleasd to undo what nature did so well
To chill that cheek & all its sweets deform
Which youth had flushd so lucious & so warm
To dim those eyes & all their darts destroy
That brightning glows with misterys of joy
& damp those smiles that breath of silent bliss
To miss whose tasting seems a heaven to miss
Coud love but waken from its golden dreams
& see this shade which there a substance seems
Sure he woud think those heart aches & those sighs
Too dear a purchase for so false a prize
But love wears looks of heaven while it smiles
& Jockeys heart like others it beguiles
Was warmd too much at beautys blushing sun
To cool in reason when it once was won
Janes memory now claimd Jockeys every thought
Days came & went but little joy they brought
While abscence hopes & intermingling fears
Made hours to linger with the length of years
In vain the summer time his toil beguiles
With all her wild wood harmony & smiles
All disregarded Jockey passd em bye
& nothing claimd the notice of his eye
For Jockeys taste was not the vulgar hinds
He lookd oer nature with enlightend minds
& joyd like them ere love destroyd his rest
To be the wild woods solitary guest
To watch the brook boil oer its simmering tide
& crop the wild flower blooming by its side
To list the moaning of the winds & see
The grass in billows shadowing oer the lea
But love came on him with its burning bloom
& oer passt pleasures cast a sullen gloom
As silver moon beams in effulgence shed
Deepen nights darkness were they cannot spread
So joys behind him darkend seem & sour
Lost in the sweetness of a brighter flower
In vain did mirth excite him to forget
In vain at dances on the green he met
Were lovley faces might be seen again
Which but revivd the image of his Jane
Tho girls was there as fair & sweet to see
Were Jenny was not pleasure coud not be
Save the thrilld pleasures that to hope woud cling
For pains have pleasures when from love they spring
& had blind love been blest with eyes to see
What many pains might then as strangers be
What many souls that nature made to bind
Without a sigh or heart ache might be joind
How short with Jockey cares were doomd to dwell
Had he but known that Jinney lovd as well
Ah short had been his cares had he but known
Her heart dwelt there a neighbour with his own
For ever since the day he passd her door
She deemd it earnest what she guessd before
& expectations every now & then
Woud warm in hopes to see him once agen
Shed often provd a strangers forward gaze
& met with men impertinent to praise
But Jockeys manners thoughts coud ill reveal
& still warmd notions which she lovd to feel
To see her once then ramble to her home
Sure somthing urgd him & enticd to come
While with uneasy doubts her fears was free
To hint such notions might mistaken be
Which often urgd a mellancholy sigh
To check her blushing hopes when raisd too high
Jane in these reveries pursud her way
With lonley silence many a market day
Nor ever coud the loneley lovley spot
Were Jockey stood be wanderd bye forgot
As of[t] as thro the gate she went or came
A sigh & look woud busy memory claim
& passing bye hopes oft her bosom burnd
That she might meet him as she home returnd
But hopes decievd her still & many a day
With lonley thoughts she went her lonley way
For neer seemd spot so loan shed seen as yet
As that were abscent Jockey first was met
& neer shone suns so sadly to her eye
As shone that morning when he passd her bye
& even home had now no bliss to spare
Love claimd her heart & care pursued her there
Beneath the eldern she was heard no more
Toil making light with singing as before
In melancholly speed days went & came
Her hopes was doubtful & her peace the same
The laughing pleasures that was such before
Was now in mourning & coud please no more
The song of birds that usd to urge her own
Reminded now what changes she had known
The blooming flowers that usd to please her eye
Now livd as proofs of pleasures that were bye
Toil turnd a burthen—shoyness ill consceald
The painfull feelings that such ways reveald
Now night & morn in silence she was seen
With folded arms to soodle down the green
No flower enticd her as she sought the cow
& woodbines wreathd neglected round the bough
While round her path the lambs woud often stand
Bleating complaints of her neglecting hand
But fancyd joys that to the future cling
Gleamd oft like sunshine thro the clouds in spring
& hopes were budding with a future day
That now & then half drove despair away
Some weeks to come a village feast woud be
When Jinney hopd the strangers face to see
Twas from her cottage scarcley half a mile
& might fullwell such artless thought beguile
Sure if hed notions as she hopd he might
Hed neer miss coming to the dance at night
& if he lovd her as she hopd he did
Such chance to meet from him woud not be hid
So Jinney judgd & to her hearts delight
Found all her wishes when it came was right
Nor fruitless was her prayers for on that day
Suns shone as wishd & rain kept far away
Paths were as clean as wishes coud desire
Nor wet nor dew to sully her attire
Her sundays best that eve she hastend on
With warmest hopes to win & to be won
A gay straw hat with ribbons on the peak
Of roseys hue like that upon her cheek
Oer her white bosom loves delicious bed
A silken hankerchief was loosly spread
That hid its swelling sweets in carless ways
& still left room for armorous eyes to gaze
A fine new gown round boddice lightly bracd
Flowd to the wind & claspd her slender waist
While dust to shun she held it to her side
Disclosing beautys which she seemd to hide
A slender ancle clad in stocking white
Which swelld in sweet propo[r]tions out of sight
& jet black was her shoe & polishd high
Tyd wi black ribbon in a gracful tye
Thus in her best on tiptoe to be seen
With bosom warmd its hopes & doubts between
She left her cot half weand from lingering care
To seek the dance in hopes to meet him there
& sure enough as wishd 'spectations came
For Jockeys hopes that evening were the same
& at an earlier hour from toil releasd
He drest him smart & hastnd to the feast
Anxious & hopfull as he pac'd the street
Neath every hat the lovly face to meet
& to the dance with hopes unprovd as yet
He went & lookd & there the face was met
Tween hopes & fears his courage flutterd chill
Then warmd agen but doubted strongly still
But looks he venturd & woud looks repeat
& venturd near Jane blushd but kept her seat
Emboldnd thus love from its silence broke
Seizing her hand that trembld while he spoke
He hopd to be his partner shed consent
Nor deem him rude when rudness was not meant
“Yes” beat her bosom mid its throbs & sighs
Fond to reveal but modest to disguise
Her eyes met his a smile half blushd to view
& glowd more tenderer as he urgd anew
His suit he movd with fonder freedom still
& Jenny rose as if against her will
Half shrinking from herself with fears & bliss
Neer urgd till now & now as urgd amiss
& tho her coyness downward turnd the while
From Jockeys view she coud not hide the smile
Which gave consent & plainly told the rest
That hopes half speeded & woud soon be blest
For he as yet had venturd not to move
His suit so far to tell her it was love
But speaking eyes have language in their way
Whose looks oft seem to chide the tongues delay
& Jinney often neath her bonnets brim
When others lookd not turnd to gaze on him
& oh so sweet so languishing the while
Tween blushing coyness & a dimpling smile
They plainly askd him ere they turnd aside
To kiss those lips that reddnd to be tryd
& press that bosom hand had never prest
& wisper love & put all doubts to rest
But Jockey perseverd with modesty
Nor urgd too forward fear of being too free
He led her down the dance with hopes beguild
& often nipt her hand & often smild
Till evenings end proclaimed night too nigh
That left its admonitions with a sigh
On more then Jenney when with many a maid
The dance must stop & parents be obey'd
She sought her shawl which caution loosley threw
Around her neck to guard against the dew
& left the dance & for her home sojournd
But turnd a look on Jockey as she turnd
Who sued to walk as guardian by her side
Nor seemd she to consent nor yet denyd
Still Jockey urgd successes to pursue
Took her white arm & brushd the nightly dew
Offering assistance oer each stile & brook
& felt the joy to see it kindly took
Adventuring often on their lonly way
By closer hints his meaning to convey
Oft bringing memory round her mind to try
Of that first morning when she past him bye
To prove if he had aught of fondness won
& livd with her as she with him had done
While Jennys meek & modest sighs conseald
Her warm consent to fondness thus reveald
& pity tis that hours that bring us joy
Shoud lend that wings which follows to destroy
Time seems with grief to loiter & delay
But flyes from hearts that wishes him to stay
Soon came their journeys end how much too soon
Tho quite contrary gleamd the mounting moon
That seemd that night to gallop on his way
& hinted now theyd made too much delay
Abruptly on their sight the cottage rose
& loves tales stopt when warmest to disclose
For raptures now did all his fears efface
& love was shown in many a warm embrace
But hours of meeting sweet as they begin
Have parting ones that claim too near a kin
Glimmering thro Jinneys window light did burn
That showd her parents waited her return
Fled was those modest hours she usd to keep
& night was slumbering in its soundest sleep
So they must part—still Jockey lingerd nigh
& sigh'd complaints which Jenney coud but sigh
Whatever wishes in her breast might burn
Jane must retire & Jockey must return
She dare not risk the hazard or the blame
To take a stranger to a chiding dame
So part they must—but Jockey sued agen
For one more kiss one minute more & then
Prest her soft hand & much against his will
Sighd “Jane farewell”—& held her prisoner still
Till thoughts of friends wakd innoscent alarms
& forcd young Jinney from her lovers arms
“Then as we must—farewell” exclaimd the swain
“Till sundays leisure & Im here again”
She sighd consent—he viewd his lonly ways
Then turnd agen as wishing new delays
But Jinney timid with the depth of night
Opend the door & vanishd from his sight
Where the old folks her glad approach did wait
& urgd their questions of her being so late
But kept it secret what they guessd the while
& heard excuses tween a frown & smile
They knew their daughters manners up to this
Nor yet had doubted of her doing amiss
Her father hinted his advice in time
Tho well he knew hed done the little crime
& while he guessd the late hour savourd love
He check'd the dame nor venturd to reprove
So all was right—Jane dreemd about the swain
& counted hours when they shoud meet again
& surley nights did never seem so slow
To bring the sun & bid the sun to go
Then those that passd between with lagging feet
That eves first meeting & the next to meet
At length it came & Jane oft turnd her eye
Upon the window watching passers bye
Whose blushing hopes was startld into joys
At every footstep or approaching noise
When ere the gate clapt creaking on the moor
She left her book & venturd to the door
For Jane had long been taught her god to fear
& tho there was no place of worship near
She knew what duty on that day requird
& always took her bible as desird
Still Jinneys bible had not power to chide
Loves tempting charm with innoscence its guide
Oft did she think of more then what she read
& towards the window often turnd her head
Nor did she long those cheating hopes pursue
Ere Jockeys presence provd his promise true
In thoughtfull mood she markd him on the moor
Taking the path that winded to the door
Were soon a fearfull rap warnd Jane to move
Her best excuse & intercede for love
Let this suffice she told the simple tale
& told it true as better to prevail
They cooly heard it but denyd him not
So he half doubtfull enterd in the cott
Were Jenny smiling as she set the chair
Provd he by one was doubly welcome there
& soon his modest unasuming ways
Urgd the old folks' opinion in his praise
With each new visit grew increasd esteem
Proving sincere what first might doubtfull seem
& oft he came & many a sabbath day
They toyd with bliss & lovd its hours away
Oft seeking pleasure that retirement yields
In peacful rambles round the silent fields
Unseen while wandering in each lonley dell
Unheard while talking what they lovd to tell
Sitting to rest on sunny bauk or stile
& kindred feelings as they sat the while
Explaining there—how abscence gave them pain
& joys encreasd when thus they met again
& oft while wandering thus in summers hours
Hed match her beauty with surrounding flowers
Comparing some to blushes on her cheek
Some to her lips when tingd with ruddier streak
& those more sweet & whiter then the rest
That to her breath & this her swelling breast
& then half shrinking from his ardent gaze
Hed snatch a kiss as purchase for his praise
Thus hours were spent & time as passing bye
Kept knitting love with closer tenderer tye
No change creating as is oft the case
Kindling fresh fondness for a stranger face
With Jockeys feelings change woud ill agree
Tho he saw faces that was sweet to see
Yet warmest fancy always rose at will
& picturd abscent Jinny fairer still
By frequent visits love at length was led
To bring up questions when they might be wed
Their friends consent was all that left delay
They askd & had it & they fixd the day
The friends of Jane had learnd her how to live
& Jockeys friends had little else to give
For tho to desent living they attaind
Riches by them was neither prizd nor gaind
Land they possest but niggard was the soil
& just returned a recompence for toil
Virtue & industry their choice requir'd
Them Jane possest & they was all desir'd
So all was fixt & soon the morning came
When Jane shoud be a bride & change her name
& Jockeys heart that morn with bliss was warm
But Jenney trembld as she took his arm
Tho gay companions cheer'd her journying on
& soon the church proclaimd their journey done
Where Jenny enterd chiding what she felt
& meekly down before the vicar knelt
Who tyd that nott & not without its sigh
Which all save death is puzzld to untye
With Jockey still all cares was set aside
He lookd with raptures on his lovley bride
Whose fondness coud not overcome her fears
She smild returning but she smild in tears
& when her husband urgd the reason why
She coud not tell—unless it was for joy

First love how sweet ah woud it longer last
Tho time remembers it when felt & past
Tis but a shadow of a substance gone
A setting sunbeam to a rising one
Hope feeds on joys imagination gives
Which in this world as pictures only lives
Attempt it, oft half care half joy we find
Posses it quite cares often left behind
Love like the Sensitive oft proves as such
Fair to the eye & withering at the touch
Revealing cares that marriage vows await
Which brings repentence that is brought too late
But Jane & Jockey little had to do
With such as yet while honey moons was new
Bright in their infancy of rapturd gleams
No cares were yet to cloud such lovley dreams
First love is theirs—what else may interpose
Here they are blest & here the tale shall close