Nancy of the Vale. a Ballad

The western sky was purpled o'er With ev'ry pleasing ray, And flocks reviving felt no more The sultry heats of day;

When from an hazel's artless bower Soft warbled Strephon's tongue; He bless'd the scene, he bless'd the hour, While Nancy's praise he sung.

" Let fops with fickle falsehood range " The paths of wanton love, " While weeping maids lament their change, " And sadden ev'ry grove:

" But endless blessings crown the day " I saw fair Esham's dale! " And ev'ry blessing find its way " To Nancy of the Vale.

" 'Twas from Avona's banks the maid " Diffus'd her lovely beams, " And ev'ry shining glance display'd " The Naiad of the streams.

" Soft as the wild-duck's tender young, " That flote on Avon's tide, " Bright as the water-lily, sprung, " And glitt'ring near its side:

" Fresh as the bord'ring flowers her bloom, " Her eye all mild to view; " The little halcyon's azure plume " Was never half so blue.

" Her shape was like the reed so sleek, " So taper, straight, and fair; " Her dimpled smile, her blushing cheek, " How charming sweet they were!

" Far in the winding Vale retir'd, " This peerless bud I found, " And shadowing rocks and woods conspir'd " To fence her beauties round.

" That Nature in so lone a dell " Should form a nymph so sweet! " Or Fortune to her secret cell " Conduct my wand'ring feet!

" Gay lordlings sought her for their bride, " But she would ne'er incline:" " Prove to your equals true," she cry'd, " As I will prove to mine.

" 'Tis Strephon, on the mountain's brow, " Has won my right good will; " To him I gave my plighted vow, " With him I'll climb the hill."

" Struck with her charms and gentle truth, " I clasp'd the constant fair; " To her alone I gave my youth, " And vow my future care.

" And when this vow shall faithless prove, " Or I those charms forego, " The stream that saw our tender love, " That stream shall cease to flow.