185
ECLOGUE I.
THE OLD MANSION-HOUSE.
STRANGER.
Old friend! why, you seem bent on parish duty,
Breaking the highway stones,—and 'tis a task
Somewhat too hard, methinks, for age like yours.
OLD MAN.
Why, yes! for one with such a weight of years
Upon his back. I've lived here, man and boy,
In this same parish, near the full age of man
For I am hard upon threescore and ten.
I can remember sixty years ago
The beautifying of this mansion here
When my late Lady's father, the old Squire
Came to the estate.
Old friend! why, you seem bent on parish duty,
Breaking the highway stones,—and 'tis a task
Somewhat too hard, methinks, for age like yours.
OLD MAN.
Why, yes! for one with such a weight of years
Upon his back. I've lived here, man and boy,
In this same parish, near the full age of man
For I am hard upon threescore and ten.
I can remember sixty years ago
The beautifying of this mansion here
When my late Lady's father, the old Squire
Came to the estate.
