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VI.
THE MATRON OF JEDBOROUGH
AND HER HUSBAND.
At Jedborough, in the course of a Tour in Scotland, my Companion and I went into private Lodgings for a few days; and the following Verses were called forth by the character and domestic situation of our Hostess.
Age! twine thy brows with fresh spring flowers!
And call a train of laughing Hours;
And bid them dance, and bid them sing;
And Thou, too, mingle in the Ring!
Take to thy heart a new delight;
If not, make merry in despite!
For there is one who scorns thy power.
But dance! for under Jedborough Tower
There liveth, in the prime of glee,
A Woman, whose years are seventy-three,
And she will dance and sing with thee.
Nay! start not at that Figure—there!
Him who is rooted to his chair!
