Classic Poem

A SUFFOLK BALLAD .

" Come , Goody, stop your humdrum wheel,
" Sweep up your orts, and get your hat;
" Old joys reviv'd once more I feel,
" 'Tis Fair-day; — ay, and more than that .

" Have you forgot, K ATE , prithee say,
" How many Seasons here we've tarried?
" 'Tis Forty years, this very day,
" Since you and I, old Girl, were married!

" Look out; — the Sun shines warm and bright,
" The Stiles are low, the Paths all dry;
" I know you cut your corns last night:
" Come; be as free from care as I.

" For I'm resolv'd once more to see
" That place where we so often met;
" Though few have had more cares than we,
" We've none just now to make us fret."

K ATE scorn'd to damp the generous flame
That warm'd her aged Partner's breast:
Yet, ere determination came,
She thus some trifling doubts express'd:

" Night will come on; when seated snug,
" And you've perhaps begun some tale,
" Can you then leave your dear stone mug;
" Leave all the folks, and all the ale?"

" Ay, K ATE , I wool; — because I know,
" Though time has been we both could run,
" Such days are gone and over now; —
" I only mean to see the fun."

She straight slipp'd off the Wall, and Band,
And laid aside her Lucks and Twitches:
And to the Hutch she reach'd her hand,
And gave him out his Sunday Breeches.

His Mattock he behind the door
And Hedging-gloves again replac'd;
And look'd across the yellow Moor,
And urg'd his tott'ring Spouse to haste.

The day was up, the air serene,
The Firmament without a cloud;
The Bee humm'd o'er the level green,
Where knots of trembling Cowslips bow'd.

And R ICHARD thus, with heart elate,
As past things rush'd across his mind,
Over his shoulder talk'd to K ATE ,
Who, snug tuckt up, walk'd slow behind.

" When once a giggling Mawther you,
" And I a red-fac'd chubby Boy,
" Sly tricks you play'd me not a few;
" For mischief was your greatest joy.

" Once, passing by this very Tree,
" A Gotch of Milk I'd been to fill,
" You shoulder'd me; then laugh'd to see
" Me and my Gotch spin down the Hill."

" 'Tis true," she said; " But here behold,
" And marvel at the course of Time;
" Though you and I are both grown old,
" This Tree is only in its prime!"

" Well, Goody, don't stand preaching now;
" Folks don't preach Sermons at a F AIR :
" We've rear'd Ten Boys and Girls you know;
" And I'll be bound they'll all be there."

Now friendly nods and smiles had they,
From many a kind Fair-going face:
And many a pinch K ATE gave away,
While R ICHARD kept his usual pace.

At length arriv'd amidst the throng,
Grand-children bawling hemm'd them round;
And dragg'd them by the skirts along
Where gingerbread bestrew'd the ground.

And soon the aged couple spy'd
Their lusty Sons and Daughters dear: —
When R ICHARD thus exulting cried,
" Didn't I tell you they'd be here?"

The cordial greetings of the soul
Were visible in every face:
Affection, void of all controul,
Govern'd with a resistless grace.

'Twas good to see the honest strife,
Which should contribute most to please;
And hear the long-recounted life,
Of infant tricks, and happy days.

But now, as at some nobler places,
Amongst the Leaders 'twas decreed
Time to begin the D ICKY R ACES ;
More fam'd for laughter than for speed.

R ICHARD look'd on with wond'rous glee,
And prais'd the Lad who chanc'd to win;
" K ATE , wa'nt I such a one as he?
" As like him, ay, as pin to pin?

" Full Fifty years are pass'd away
" Since I rode this same ground about:
" Lord! I was lively as the day!
" I won the High-lows out and out!

" I'm surely growing young again:
" I feel myself so kedge and plump.
" From head to foot I've not one pain;
" Nay, hang me if I cou'dnt jump.

Thus spoke the A LE in R ICHARD'S pate,
A very little made him mellow;
But still he lov'd his faithful K ATE ,
Who whisper'd thus, " My good old fellow,

" Remember what you promis'd me:
" And see, the Sun is getting low;
" The Children want an hour, ye see,
" To talk a bit before we go."

Like youthful Lover most complying
He turn'd, and chuckt her by the chin:
Then all across the green grass hieing,
Right merry faces, all akin,

Their farewell quart, beneath a tree
That droop'd its branches from above;
Awak'd the pure felicity
That waits upon P ARENTAL L OVE .

K ATE view'd her blooming Daughters round,
And Sons who shook her wither'd hand:
Her features spoke what joy she found,
But utterance had made a stand.

The Children toppled on the green,
And bowl'd their fairings down the hill;
R ICHARD with pride beheld the scene,
Nor could he for his life sit still.

A Father's uncheck'd feelings gave
A tenderness to all he said;
" My Boys, how proud am I to have
" My name thus round the country spread!

" Through all my days I've labour'd hard,
" And could of pains and crosses tell;
" But this is Labour's great reward,
" To meet ye thus, and see ye well.

" My good old Partner, when at home,
" Sometimes with wishes mingles tears;
" Goody," says I, " let what wool come,
" We've nothing for them but our pray'rs.

" May you be all as old as I,
" And see your sons to manhood grow;
" And, many a time before you die,
" Be just as pleas'd as I am now."

Then, (raising still his Mug and voice,)
" An Old Man's weakness don't despise!
" I love you well, my Girls and Boys;
" G OD bless you all;" — so said his eyes —

For as he spoke, a big round drop
Fell, bounding on his ample sleeve;
A witness which he could not stop,
A witness which all hearts believe.

Thou, F ILIAL Piety , wert there;
And round the ring, benignly bright,
Dwelt in the luscious half-shed tear,
And in the parting word — Good Night!

With thankful Hearts and strengthen'd Love,
The poor old P AIR , supremely blest,
Saw the Sun sink behind the grove,
And gain'd once more their lowly rest.