Page:The Hind and the Panther - Dryden (1687).djvu/80

But what plain fare her cottage cou'd afford,A hearty welcome at a homely boardWas freely hers; and to supply the rest,An honest meaning, and an open breast.Last, with content of mind, the poor man's Wealth;A grace-cup to their common Patron's health.This she desir'd her to accept and stay,For fear she might be wilder'd in her way,Because she wanted an unerring guide,And then the dew-drops on her silken hide$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$Her tender constitution did declare,Too Lady-like a long fatigue to bear,And rough inclemencies of raw nocturnal air.$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$But most she fear'd that travelling so late,Some evil minded beasts might lye in wait;And without witness wreak their hidden hate.

The Panther, though she lent a list'ning ear,Had more of Lyon in her than to fear:

Yet