Grigor's Ghost/Part 2

by Anonymous

PART II.

Her mother next morning, by blink of her eye,
Perceiv'd 'twixt her and Grigor great love to be;
And she to her husband the same hath reveal'd,
Who orders to watch them as they were in the field.

All day then her father went walking about,
And after her, her father he still did look out,
Till hard upon evening she went off to the glen,
Where Grigor was waiting to here her explain.

What way they should rightly make matters to go,
Her father did follow and heard them also—
He stepping in softly, stood over the cave,
And heard the whole story how they would behave.

At last he advanced, cried, Grigor, what now?
Is this a reward for such an orphan as you?
You know I've maintain'd you from seven years old,
And now your intentions they seem very bold.

Then Grigor ask'd pardon, and thus he did say,
Sir, I'm at your disposal, then do as you may.
The old man in a passion there chiding did stand,
Till his daughter got courage, and took it in hand.

What mean you, dear father, on us for to frown,
Was this man a beggar, I'm sure he's our own—
He's of your own kindred, your flesh, and your blood,
And you know very well his behaviour is good.

'Tis him that I choose for my husband and shall;
Go give all your money to whom that you will;
Do not think me a horse or a hog, to be sold
Away to a numskull that has nought but gold.

The father in a rage to her mother did go,
And told their procedings with sorrow and woe;
Yet seemed that night if his anger had been gone,
Lest that the young Grigor the place should abscond.

But sent in a message to Inverness,
Which brought out a party young Grigor to press,
And for to make ready no time gave, we hear;
He ask'd but one favour—a word of his dear.

That being deny'd him, the old man with a frown,
Said, soldiers can have sweethearts in every town.
At this the-young lady cried out bitterly.
Young Grigor took courage, and marched away.

When his captain view'd him, thus to him did say,
This young lady that loves you, I pity her case,
Who has lost such a comfort and blooming face,
Altho' you have done them not any disgrace.

His lady cried out, what a wretch can he be,
Caus'd press this young man for no injury!
His long yellow hair to his haunches hung down,
O'er his broad shoulders from ear to ear round.

Now Grigor considering his pitiful case,
Received the bounty, and-swore to the peace;
His captain to him a furlough did give,
To see his dear Kitty once more did he crave.

Two lines he wrote her by a solid hand,
That he under the oak at midnight would stand,
For to wait upon her and hear her complaint,
And therefore to meet him she was well content.

Her vows she renewed, with tears not a few,
And a gold-ring for a token on his finger she threw,
Was ne'er to remove hence, come death or come life,
Till that happy moment he made her his wife.

She fain would go with him but he answer'd no,
For your parents will follow, and cause you more woe;
But my Maker be witness, with this oak, said he,
That I never will marry another woman but thee.

And here where he left her a-weeping full sore,
Poor creature she ne'er got a sight of him more!
For in short time thereafter he went to the sea,
And lost sight of Britain with the tear in his eye.

He went to America, their orders were so,
Where he proved a soldier and valour did show,
That for his behaviour, they ne'er could him blame,
From a corp'ral at last to a serjeant he came.

 

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