Classic Poem

XXXI

Now when next day the news went down
The streets and lanes of Lechlade town,
It brought much consternation;
And as the tale the gossips shared
They duly one and all declared
The death a dispensation.

XXXII

How fortunate he showed in time
His selfish aptitude for crime,
His passions thus revealing!
Much ill of the deceased was said;
But when they knew he was not dead,
A change came o'er the feeling.

XXXIII

Then Mary, who had sobbed and cried,
Grew confident and laughing-eyed,
While all the town grew graver;
She warbled like a happy bird,
Nor ever made as though she heard
The names the neighbours gave her.

XXXIV

For now they all agreed that she
Was much more criminal than he,
Was pert, and stony-hearted,
That on her head his blood would lie,
Since he was almost sure to die,
From this cold hussy parted.

XXXV

But still she warbled; till one day
When every neighbour had her say
And each spoke somewhat louder,
She stood right up behind the bar,
For all to hear her near or far,
Nor could a queen look prouder.

XXXVI

" If any one that's here to-day
Is going over Stanlake-way,
I'd have him know for certain,
It's not the way to win a wife,
To hang around, and plague her life,
And peep behind the curtain.

XXXVII

" Nor after loafing half-a-year,
And blushing when he calls for beer,
To shout the question at her,
When mother's lying ill in bed,
Awake, and listening overhead,
And wondering what's the matter.

XXXVIII

" Men stalk a girl as with a gun,
And if she turns and tries to run, —
Their patience all abated, —
They rush and drown themselves for spite,
To punish people whom they might
Have won, had they but waited.

XXXIX

" My brother should have left him there.
Since plainly all his load of care
Is more than he can carry;
In future he may wooing go
To Witney or — to Jericho, —
But me he'll never marry."

XL

The neighbours all were sadly shocked;
The maiden at their scruples mocked,
As through her work she hurried;
She sang aloud; and yet 'tis said,
That afternoon her eyes were red,
Her temper crossed and flurried.