40
WITH evil omen, we that Year begin:
A child of shame,—stern Justice adds, of sin,—
Is first recorded;—I would hide the deed,
But vain the wish; I sigh, and I proceed:
And could I well th' instructive truth convey,
'Twould warn the Giddy and awake the Gay.
Of all the Nymphs, who gave our Village grace,
The Miller's Daughter had the fairest face;
Proud was the Miller; Money was his pride;
He rode to market, as our Farmers ride;
And 'twas his boast, inspir'd by spirits, there,
His favourite Lucy should be rich as fair;
But she must meek and still obedient prove,
And not presume, without his leave, to love.
A youthful Sailor heard him;—"Ha!" quoth he,
"This Miller's maiden is a Prize for me;
Her charms I love, his riches I desire,
And all his threats but fan the kindling fire;
My ebbing purse, no more the foe shall fill,
But Love's kind act and Lucy at the Mill."
Thus thought the Youth, and soon the chace began,
Stretch'd all his sail, nor thought of pause or plan:
His trusty staff, in his bold hand, he took,
Like him and like his frigate, Heart of Oak;
Fresh were his features, his attire was new;
Clean was his linen, and his jacket blue;
Of finest jean his trowsers tight and trim,
Brush'd the large buckle, at the silver rim.
A child of shame,—stern Justice adds, of sin,—
Is first recorded;—I would hide the deed,
But vain the wish; I sigh, and I proceed:
And could I well th' instructive truth convey,
'Twould warn the Giddy and awake the Gay.
Of all the Nymphs, who gave our Village grace,
The Miller's Daughter had the fairest face;
Proud was the Miller; Money was his pride;
He rode to market, as our Farmers ride;
And 'twas his boast, inspir'd by spirits, there,
His favourite Lucy should be rich as fair;
But she must meek and still obedient prove,
And not presume, without his leave, to love.
A youthful Sailor heard him;—"Ha!" quoth he,
"This Miller's maiden is a Prize for me;
Her charms I love, his riches I desire,
And all his threats but fan the kindling fire;
My ebbing purse, no more the foe shall fill,
But Love's kind act and Lucy at the Mill."
Thus thought the Youth, and soon the chace began,
Stretch'd all his sail, nor thought of pause or plan:
His trusty staff, in his bold hand, he took,
Like him and like his frigate, Heart of Oak;
Fresh were his features, his attire was new;
Clean was his linen, and his jacket blue;
Of finest jean his trowsers tight and trim,
Brush'd the large buckle, at the silver rim.
