III. But when he wanted John to 'list, Where what is call'd a raw recruit, Gets often over-done. IV. Let others carry guns, said he, V. For John he had a footman's place Her family was high. VI. Now when two years had past away, VII. Said John, I am a proper man, And very tall to see; Who knows, but now her Lord is low, She may look up to me? VIII. A cunning woman told me once, Such fortune would turn up; She was a kind of sorceress, But studied in a cup! IX. So he walk'd up to Lady Wye, And took her quite amazed,— She thought, tho' John was tall enough, He wanted to be raised. X. But John-for why? she was a dame Of such a dwarfish sort Had only come to bid her make Her mourning very short. XI. Said he, your Lord is dead and cold, You only cry in vain; Not all the Cries of London now, Could call him back again! XII. You'll soon have many a noble beau, To dry your noble tears— But just consider this, that I Have follow'd you for years. XIII. And tho' you are above me far, And I am six foot three. XIV. For tho' you are of lofty race, And I'm a low-born elf; Yet none among your friends could say. You matched beneath yourself. XV. Said she, such insolence as this Can be no common case; Though you are in my service, sir, Your love is out of place. XVI. O Lady Wye! O Lady Wye! Consider what you do ; How can you be so short with me, XVII. Then ringing for her serving men, They show'd him to the door : Why didn't you before? XVIII. They stripp'd his coat, and gave him kicks For all his wages due; And off, instead of green and gold, He went in black and blue. XIX. No family would take him in, XX. Huzza! the Serjeant cried, and put The money in his hand, From his paternal land. XXI. For when his regiment went to fight At Saragossa town, A Frenchman thought he look'd too tall C. THE WIDOW. NE widow at a grave will sob A little while, and weep, and sigh! |