Page:Poems Cook.djvu/256

So all his wooing was in vain,
 She scorn'd his peasant grade;
She toss'd her head, and mock'd his pain,
 And laugh'd at all he said.
"No, no," cried she, "the tale would be
 A jest for all the town!
I'll wed no youth who wears, forsooth,
 A suit of russet brown."

He offer'd her a gentle bird,
 Whose plumage, it was true,
Gave forth no sheen of glossy green,
 No scarlet, gold, or blue:
She look'd upon it with an eye
 That flash'd with kindling pride;
With head uplift, she scorn'd the gift,
 And thrust the cage aside.
"No, no," cried she, with pompous airs,
 "Such boon I would not own;
For, like yourself, it only wears
 A suit of russet brown."

When next she met the youth, he wore
 A doublet of brave cost;
The bird's rich song was heard to pour,—
 But youth and bird were lost.
The maiden then bewail'd her fate,
 She rued her scornful mirth;
And thought, but, ah! she thought too late,
 "Plain garbs may cover worth."
Then, ladies, list—this lesson learn,—
 Be wary how ye frown;
Think twice ere once ye rudely spurn
 A suit of russet brown.

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