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And now she loiter'd near the scene.
Now peep'd the hazle copse between;
Fearful that Lubin might be near
The story of her Fate to hear.—
She saw the feasting circle gay
By the stol'n faggots yellow light
She heard them, as in sportive play,
They chear'd the sullen gloom of night.
Nor was sly Kate by all unseen
Peeping, the hazle copse between.
And now across the thicket side
A tatter'd, skulking youth she spied;
He beckon'd her along, and soon,
Hid safely from the prying moon,
His hand with silver, thrice she crosses—
"Tell me," said she, "my gains and losses?"
"You gain a fool" the youth replies,
"You lose a lover too."
