"Then in his button-hole upright,
"Did Farmer Crouder put,
"A slip of paper twisted tight,
"And held the candle to't.
"It smok'd, and smok'd, beneath his nose,
"The harmless blaze crept higher;
"Till with a vengeance up he rose,
"Grace, Judie, Sue! fire, fire!
"The clock struck one—some talk'd of parting,
"Some said it was a sin,
"And kilch'd their chairs;—but those for starting
"Now let the moonlight in.
"Owd women, loitering for the nonce,[Footnote: For the purpose.]
"Stood praising the fine weather;
"The menfolks took the hint at once
"To kiss them altogether.
"And out ran every soul beside,
"A shanny-pated[Footnote: Giddy, thoughtless.] crew;
"Owd folks could neither run nor hide,
"So some ketch'd one, some tew.
"They skriggl'd[Footnote: To struggle quick.] and began to scold.
"But laughing got the master;
"Some quack'ling[Footnote: Choaking.] cried, 'let go your hold;'
"The farmers held the faster.
"All innocent, that I'll be sworn,
"There wor'nt a bit of sorrow,
"And women, if their gowns are torn,
"Can mend them on the morrow.
"Our shadows helter skelter danc'd
"About the moonlight ground;
"The wondering sheep, as on we pranc'd,
"Got up and gaz'd around,
"And well they might—till Farmer Chcerum,
"Now with a hearty glee,
"Bade all good morn as he came near 'em,
"And then to bed went he.
"Then off we stroll'd this way and that,
"With merry voices ringing;
"And Echo answered us right pat,
"As home we rambl'd singing.