But her own poetry, romance, and honest heart, all went the same way, and she cried out—'I don't care what you have, not I. I've promised, and I'll be true—get along with you!'
The village girl, hard pressed, was breaking out.
'You bid me go. Cruel girl! your commands shall be obeyed. I go abroad! You know the disturbed state of the Continent.—In some conflict for liberty, where the desperate poniard is uplifted—there—'
'Oh! don't talk so dreadful. Pray—'
'Do you bid me pause? At a word from you. You are the arbitress of my destiny.'
'No; I've nothing to do—do go! Only promise you'll not do nothing dangerous—'
'Reject me, and life is intolerable. Where the maddened crowd rise upon their tyrants, there in thickest of the fray—'
'You'll be the first to take to your heels, I'll be bound! Ain't you ashamed of yourself, to be ranting and frightening a poor girl that fashion?' cried the friendly dragon Martha, descending on them.
'Do you apply that language to me, ma'am?'
'That I do! and richly you deserve it, too, sir! See if your missus doesn't hear of your tricks, if I find you at this again.'