V. The fairest form of hundreds there, I gazed upon her graces rare, And breathed, for once, a pithy prayer, In earnest diction. Some took my wild, unearthly stare For deep conviction.
VI. Oh, how I spent the days ensuing, With sighs, and groans, and nothing doing Save weaving plots for instant wooing, And sudden marriage! Meantime the Fates for me were brewing A sad miscarriage.
VII. ’Twas summer, and at dawn of day, When bird to bird gave greeting lay, Alone I sought the meadows gay, Or forest shade, And there in fancy would portray The blue-eyed maid.
VIII. Each fragrant flower that met my view, Each pendant drop of glittering dew, Each little bird that warbling flew From spray to spray, Each bore methought, some semblance true Of Jane Levay.
IX. Her name I carved on fifty trees, I breathed it to the passing breeze, And bade the winds o’er all the seas To bear it far; I fancied her by fond degrees, The morning star.
X. My inward man I felt consume, My cheeks waxed thin and lost their bloom; Some prophesied an early tomb Would hide poor Peter; I heeded not their words of gloom, My thoughts ran sweeter.
XI. At length it came at gloaming hour, Dan Cupid strove with all his power, And sent, at once, a fiery shower Through all my frame; My shivering nerves could scarce endure The scorching flame.
XII. While thus my youthful marrow fried, “Ye Gods,” said I, “who lovers guide, This night my charmer must be tried, I’ll go and see her; I’ll make her my affianced bride, My ever-dear.”
XIII. In Sunday trim I soon was dressed, My clothes, be sure, were not the best, But people were of humbler taste In those good days; Girls were not pinched about the waist By belts or stays,
XIV. Folk then might go to church or play In home-made suits of plain sheep-gray, And no proud fop be heard to say “What awkward shapes!” Those simple times, long fled away, Reared no such apes.