Classic Poem

Long by the willow-trees
— Vainly they sought her,
Wild rang the mother's screams
— O'er the gray water:
" Where is my lovely one?
— Where is my daughter?

" Rouse thee, Sir Constable —
— Rouse thee and look;
Fisherman, bring your net,
— Boatman, your hook.
Beat in the lily-beds,
— Dive in the brook! "

Vainly the constable
— Shouted and called her;
Vainly the fisherman
— Beat the green alder;
Vainly he flung the net,
— Never it hauled her!

Mother beside the fire
— Sat, her nightcap in;
Father, in easy chair,
— Gloomily napping,
When at the window-sill
— Came a light tapping!

And a pale countenance
— Looked through the casement
Loud beat the mother's heart,
— Sick with amazement,
And at the vision which
— Came to surprise her,
Shrieked in an agony —
— " Lor'! it's Elizar! "

Yes, 'twas Elizabeth —
— Yes, 'twas their girl;
Pale was her cheek, and her
— Hair out of curl.
" Mother, " the loving one,
— Blushing exclaimed,
" Let not your innocent
— Lizzy be blamed.

" Yesterday, going to Aunt
— Jones's to tea,
Mother, dear mother, I
— Forgot the door-key!
And as the night was cold
— And the way steep,
Mrs. Jones kept me to
— Breakfast and sleep. "

Whether her Pa and Ma
— Fully believed her,
That we shall never know,
— Stern they received her;
And for the work of that
— Cruel, though short, night
Sent her to bed without
— Tea for a fortnight.

MORAL

— Hey diddle diddlety,
— Cat and the fiddlety,
Maidens of England, take caution by she!
— Let love and suicide
— Never tempt you aside,
And always remember to take the door-key.