THE Charming Village Maid

Charming village maid, If thou wilt be mine, In gold and pearls array'd, All my wealth is thine, For gold is dross to me, Ev'n Nature's beauties fade, If not enjoy'd by thee, My charming village maid!

Had I yon Shepherd's care, Your lambs to feed and fold, The dog star heat l'd bear, And winter's piercing cold; Or such my lot shou'd be, At harrow, flail or spade, Well pleas'd I'd toil for thee, My charming village maid!

This morn at gosly dawn I had a hedge rose wild, Its sweets perfum'd the lawn, 'Twas sportive Nature's child; To grace my gay Parterre, Translated from the glade, Sweet emblem of my fair, My charming village maid.