Berkshire Lady's garland (2)/Part 4

PART IV.

As the gilded coach stood ready,
The young lover and his lady,
Rode together till they eame
To her house of state and fame.

Which appeared like a castle,
Where he might behold a parcel
Of young cedars, tall and straight,
Just before her palaco gate.

Hand in hand they walk'd together
To a hall, or parlour rather,
Which was beautiful and fair,
All alone she left him there.

Two long hours there he waited,
Her return at length he fretted,
And began to grieve at last,
For he had not broko his fast.

Still he sat like one amazed,
Round a spacious room he gazed,
Which was richly beautified;
But, alas! he lost his bride.

There was peeping, laughing, sneering,
All within the lawyer's hearing:
But his bride he could not see;
Would I were at home, thought he.

While his heart was melancholy,
Said the Steward, brisk and jolly,
Tell me friend, how came you here
You have some design, I fear.

He replied, Dear loving master,
You shall meet with no disaster
Through my means in any case,
Madam brought me to this place.

Then the Steward did retire,
Saying that he would enquire,
Whether it was true or no;
Never was love hampered se.

Now the lady who had fill'd him
With those fears, full well beheld him
From a window, where she drest,
Pleased at the pleasant jest.

When she had herself attired,
In rich robes to be admired,
She appeared in his sight,
Like a moving angel bright.

Sir, my servants have related,
How you have some hours waited
In my parlour, tell me who
In my house you ever knew.

Madam, if I have offended,
It is more than I intended;
A young lady brought me here,
That is true, said she, My dear.

I can be no longer cruel
To my joy and only jewel,
Thou art mine, and I am thine,
Hand and heart I do resign.

Once I was a wounded lover,
Now those fears are clearly over;
By receiving what I gave,
Thou art lord of what I have.

Beauty, honour, love, and treasure,
A rich golden stream of pleasure,
With his lady he enjoys;
Thanks to Cupid's kind decoys.

Now he's cloth'd in rich attire,
Not inferior to a squire,
Beauty, honour, riches, store,
What can man desire more?