Nancy of the Vale. A Ballad

THE western sky was purpled o'er
With ev'ry pleasing ray,
And flocks reviving felt no more
The sultry heats of day;

When from an hazel's artless bower
Soft warbled Strephon's tongue;
He bless'd the scene, he bless'd the hour,
While Nancy's praise he sung.

" Let fops with fickle falsehood range
" The paths of wanton love,
" While weeping maids lament their change,
" And sadden ev'ry grove:

" But endless blessings crown the day
" I saw fair Esham's dale!
" And ev'ry blessing find its way
" To Nancy of the Vale.

" 'Twas from Avona's banks the maid
" Diffus'd her lovely beams,
" And ev'ry shining glance display'd
" The Naiad of the streams.

" Soft as the wild-duck's tender young,
" That flote on Avon's tide,
" Bright as the water-lily, sprung,
" And glitt'ring near its side:

" Fresh as the bord'ring flowers her bloom,
" Her eye all mild to view;
" The little halcyon's azure plume
" Was never half so blue.

" Her shape was like the reed so sleek,
" So taper, straight, and fair;
" Her dimpled smile, her blushing cheek,
" How charming sweet they were!

" Far in the winding Vale retir'd,
" This peerless bud I found,
" And shadowing rocks and woods conspir'd
" To fence her beauties round.

" That Nature in so lone a dell
" Should form a nymph so sweet!
" Or Fortune to her secret cell
" Conduct my wand'ring feet!

" Gay lordlings sought her for their bride,
" But she would ne'er incline:"
" Prove to your equals true," she cry'd,
" As I will prove to mine.

" 'Tis Strephon, on the mountain's brow,
" Has won my right good will;
" To him I gave my plighted vow,
" With him I'll climb the hill."

" Struck with her charms and gentle truth,
" I clasp'd the constant fair;
" To her alone I gave my youth,
" And vow my future care.

" And when this vow shall faithless prove,
" Or I those charms forego,
" The stream that saw our tender love,
" That stream shall cease to flow.