Classic Poem

A SONG .

" It rains, it rains, my fair,
Come drive your white sheep fast:
To shelter quick repair,
Haste, shepherdess, make haste.

I hear — the water pours,
With patt'ring on the vines:
See here! see here! it lours —
See there the lightning shines.

The thunder dost thou hear?
Loud roars the rushing storm:
Take (while we run, my dear)
Protection from my arm.

I see our cot, ah hold!
Mamma and sister Nance,
To open our sheep-fold,
Most cheerily advance.

God bless my mother dear,
My sister Nancy too!
I bring my sweet-heart here,
To sleep to-night with you.

Go, dry yourself, my friend,
And make yourself at home —
Sister, on her attend:
Come in, sweet lambkins, come. —

Mamma, let's take good care
Of all her pretty sheep;
Her little lamb we'll spare
More straw whereon to sleep.

'Tis done — now let us haste
To her; — you here, my fair!
Undress'd, oh what a waist!
My mother, look you there.

Let's sup; come take this place,
You shall be next to me;
This pine-knot's cheerful blaze
Shall shine direct on thee.

Come taste this cream so sweet,
This syllabub so warm;
Alas! you do not eat:
You feel e'en yet the storm.

'Twas wrong — I press'd too much
Your steps, when on the way:
But here, see here your couch —
There sleep till dawn of day,

With gold the mountain tips: —
Good night, good night, my dove!
Now let me on your lips
Imprint one kiss of love.

Mamma and I will come,
As soon as morn shall shine,
To see my sweet-heart home,
And ask her hand for mine. "