4
While the peaſant inactive ſtands ſhiv'ring with cold
as bleak the winds northerly blow:
When the innocent flocks run for eaſe to the fold:
with their fleeces all covered with ſnow:
In the yard while the cattle are fodder'd with ſtraw
and ſend forth their breath like a ſtream!
And neat looking dairy maid fees ſhe muſt thaw
fleaks of ice, which ſhe finds in her cream
When the sweet country maiden, as freſh as the roſe
as ſhe careleſsly trips often ſlides,
And the ruſſies loud laugh, if by falling ſhe ſhews:
all the charms that her modeſty hides;
When the birds to the barn door hover for food.
as with ſilence they reſt on the ſpray:
And the poor tired hare in vain ſeeks the wood,
left her footſteps her cauſe ſhould betray,
When the lads and the laſſes, in company join'd,
in a croud round the embers are met,
