BALLAD. (When fairies are lighted by night's silver…)

When fairies are lighted by night's silver queen, And feast in the meadow, or dance on the green, My Lumkin aside lays his plough and his flail, By yon oak to sit near me, and tell his fond tale.

And though I'm assur'd the same vows were believ'd By Patty and Ruth he forsook and deceiv'd, Yet so sweet are his words, and like truth so appear, I pardon the treason, the traitor's so dear.

I saw the straw bonnet he bought at the fair, The rose-colour'd ribbon to deck Jenny's hair; The shoe-ties of Bridget, and, still worse than this, The gloves he gave Peggy for stealing a kiss.

All these did I see, and, with heart-rending pain, Swore to part; yet I know when I see him again, His words and his looks will like truth so appear, I shall pardon the treason, the traitor's so dear.