5. THE MATRON OF JEDBOROUGH AND HER HUSBAND. At Jedborough we went into private Lodgings for a few days; and the following Verses were called forth by the character, and domestic situation, of our Hostess. AGE! twine thy brows with fresh spring flowers! And call a train of laughing Hours; And bid them dance, and bid them sing; And Thou, too, mingle in the Ring! Take to thy heart a new delight; If not, make merry in despite ! For there is one who scorns thy power. -But dance! for under Jedborough Tower A Woman, whose years are seventy-three, Nay! start not at that Figure-there! Him who is rooted to his chair! Look at him-look again! for He A Sight to make a Stranger sigh! Is this a place for mirth and cheer? The joyous Woman is the Mate Of Him in that forlorn estate! He breathes a subterraneous damp, But bright as Vesper shines her lamp : He is as mute as Jedborough Tower; She jocund as it was of yore,. With all it's bravery on; in times; I praise thee, Matron! and thy due Thy gladness unsubdued and bold : Ah! see her helpless Charge! enclos'd The persons that before them go, He tracks her motions, quick or slow. Her buoyant Spirit can prevail Where common cheerfulness would fail: She strikes upon him with the heat An animal delight though dim! I look'd, I scann'd her o'er and o'er; A remnant of uneasy light, That she had borne a heavy yoke, So be it! but let praise ascend To Him who is our Lord and Friend! Who from disease and suffering Hath call'd for thee a second Spring; Repaid thee for that sore distress By no untimely joyousness; Which makes of thine a blissful state; And cheers thy melancholy Mate! |