131

William Reily's Courtship.

'Twas on a pleasant morning, all in the bloom of spring,
When as the cheerful songsters in concert sweet did sing,
The primrose and the daisy bespangled every lawn,
In an arbour, I espied my dear Coolen Bawn.

I stood awhile amazed, quite struck with surprise,
On her with rapture gazed, while from her bright eyes,
She shot such killing glances, my heart away was drawn,
She ravish'd all my senses, my fair Coolen Bawn.

I tremblingly addressed her, hail, matchless fair maid,
You have with grief oppress'd me, and I am much afraid,
Except you cure my anguish, which now is in its dawn,
You'll cause my sad overthrow, my sweet Coolen Bawn.

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Then with a gentle smile she replied unto me
I cannot tyrannize, dear Willie, over thee;
My father he is wealthy, and gives severe command,
If you but gain his favor, I'll be your Coolen Bawn.

In rapture I embraced her, we swore eternal love,
And nought should separate us, except the power above;
I hired with her father, and left my friends and land,
That with pleasure I might gaze on my fair Coolen Bawn.

I serve him a twelvemonth, right faithfully and just,
Although not used to labor, was true to my trust;
I valued not my wages, I would not it demand,
For I could live for ages with my Coolen Bawn.

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One morning, as her father and I walked out alone,
I asked him for his daughter, saying, sir, it is well known,
I have a well stock'd farm, five hundred pounds in hand,
Which I'll share with your daughter my fair Coolen Bawn,

Her father full of anger, most scornfully did frown,
Saying, here are your wages, now, sir, depart the town.
Increasing still his anger, he bid me quick begone,
For none but a rich squire shall wed my Coolen Bawn.

I went unto his daughter, and told her my sad tale,
Oppress'd with grief and anguish, we both did weep and wail:
She said, my dearest Reily, the thought I can't withstand,
That in sorrow you should leave me, your dear Coolen Bawn.

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A horse I did get ready, in the silent night,
Having no other remedy, we quickly took our flight,
The horse he chanced to stumble, and threw both along,
Confused, and sorely bruised, me and my dear Coolen Bawn.

Again we quickly mounted, and swiftly rode away,
O'er hills and lofty mountains, we travell'd night and day.
Her father swift pursued us, with his well chosen band,
And I was overtaken, with my fair Coolen Bawn.

Committed straight to prison, there to lament and wail,
And utter my complaints to a dark and dismal jail,
Loaded with heavy irons, 'till my trial shall come on,
But I'll bear their utmost malice, for my dear Coolen Bawn.

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If it should please kind fortune once more to set me free,
For well I know my charmer is constant unto me,
Spite of her father's anger, his cruelty and scorn,
I hope to wed my heart's delight, my dear Coolen Bawn.