The Lovers to their favourite Tree. ARGUMENT. In the Hospital, endowed by an ancestor of Sir Charles Turner, Bart., at Kirkleatham, amongst other natural and artificial curiosities, is a very singular Tree. It had been cut down, and divided into lengths, for the purpose of converting it into firewood, but upon its being split by the woodman's wedge, the heart of the tree turned out round and entire; the outward part, which enclosed it, being about the thickness of four inches. Round the inner hole or heart, which is about a foot in diameter, are several letters, carved in a rude and seemingly irregular manner; but upon a closer observation found to wind round the wood in a spiral form, and the following couplet is plainly legible. This tree long time witness bear, Two true-lovers did walk here. are There are likewise other letters, which seem to be the initials of the Lovers' names, who appear to have frequented the solitary spot where the tree has grown, to vent the effusions of their mutual passion, and to enjoy the pleasure of each others' conversation, sequestered and unobserved. LONG the wintry tempest braving, Still this short inscription keep; Still preserve this rude engraving, On thy bark imprinted deep:This tree, long time witness bear, Two true-lovers did walk here.' By the softest ties united, Love has bound our souls in one; And, by mutual promise plighted, Waits the nuptial rite alone Thou, a faithful witness bear, Of our plighted promise here. Tho' our sires would gladly sever We will keep our faithful vow, Still will meet each other here. While the dusky shade concealing, Veils the faultless fraud of love, We from sleepless pillows stealing, Nightly seek the silent grove; And escaped from eyes severe, Dare to meet each other here. Wealth and titles disregarding To our faithful love consenting Then our every wish compleated, We will talk of seasons past; On thy yielding bark, engraving And, for ages, witness bear, Two True-lovers did walk here. AWD DAISY, AN ECLOGUE. GOORGY AND ROBERT. GOORGY. WEEL met, good Robert! saw ye my awd meer? ROBERT. Whaw Goorgy, I've to teyl ye dowly news, GOORGY. Whoor! what's that Robert? tell us owr ageean, You're joking-or you're mebby been misteean; ROBERT. Nay, marry, Goorge, I's seer I can't be wrang, You kno' I've keyn'd aw'd Daisy now se lang. Her bread-ratch'd feeace, and twa white hinder legs, Preav'd it was hor, as seer as eggs is eggs. GOORGY. Poor thing!-what deead then-had she laid there lang? Whor abouts is she?-Robert will ye gang? ROBERT. I car nut, Goorgy, I hant mich to dea, When I can dea a kaundness tir a frynd; GOORGY. Thank ye, good Robert?-I can't think, belike, How't poor awd creature's tummled inte t' dike, ROBERT. Ye maund, shee'd fun her sen just gaun te dee, GOORGY. Meast lickly,-bud—what was she deed outreet, When ye furst gat up; when ye gat t' furst seet? |