His heart with sudden joy is filled, His ears are by the music thrilled, Glittering before him bright and broad; And there are reasons manifold That make the good, tow'rds which he's yearning, Look fairly like a lawful earning. Nor has thought time to come and go, To vibrate between yes and no; "For," cries the Sailor, "Glorious chance That blew us hither! Let him dance Our treat shall be a friendly Bowl!" He draws him to the door "Come in, Come, come," cries he to Benjamin ; Gave the word, the horses heard And halted, though reluctantly. "Blithe souls and lightsome hearts have we,, Feasting at the CHERRY TREE!" This was the outside proclamation, This was the inside salutation; What bustling-jostling-high and low! A universal overflow ! What tankards foaming from the tap! A steaming Bowl-a blazing fire- To seek for thoughts of painful cast, - Now, should you think I judge amiss, Our Travellers are the happiest pair. He thinks not of his long, long strife ;- Hath no resolves to throw away; And he hath now forgot his Wife, Hath quite forgotten her- or may be Deems that she is happier, laid Within that warm and peaceful bed; Under cover, Terror over, Sleeping by her sleeping Baby. With bowl in hand, (It may not stand) Gladdest of the gladsome band, Amid their own delight and fun, The fiddle's squeak *. Ever followed by a kiss ; that call to bliss, They envy not the happy lot, But enjoy their own the more! While thus our jocund Travellers fare, Up springs the Sailor from his chair Limps (for I might have told before That he was lame) across the floor Is gone returns With what? and with a prize; a Ship of lusty size; A gallant stately Man of War, "This," cries the Sailor," a Third-rate is Stand back and you shall see her gratis! * At the close of each strathspey, or jig, a particular note from the fiddle summons the Rustic to the agreeable duty of saluting his Partner. This was the Flag-Ship at the Nile, The Vanguard - you may smirk and smile, But, pretty maid, if you look near, You'll find you've much in little here ! A nobler Ship did never swim, And you shall see her in full trim; I'll set, my Friends, to do you honour, So said, so done; and masts, sails, yards, His speech with uncouth terms of art, Cries out "'Tis there, the Quarter-deck -- On which brave Admiral Nelson stood - A sight that would have roused your blood! One eye he had, which, bright as ten, Burnt like a fire among his men; Let this be Land, and that be Sea, Here lay the French and thus came we !" - Hushed was by this the fiddle's sound, The Dancers all were gathered round, |