life's reverses.
39
An' the kin'-hearted pair hastened down to the ha',
Wi' the squire, Tam's wee leddy, an' Maggie an' a.
Saftly enterin' the chamber, they silently stood;
The stranger's dull garb spoke of lone widowhood,
An' the look of compassion in Jessie's dark eyes
Was quickly succeeded by that of sarprise;
In the pale sickly face of the stranger they met
A visage that time couldna mak' them forget.
A glance o' astonishment passed frae ilk een,
Then the servants were kindly dismissed frae the scepe.
"'Tis really hersel'," to the squire whispered Jess,
"Lady Clara, reduced to this piteous distress,
An' the bounie wee miss, Maggie, tak' her upstair,
Whilst I o' the puir sufferin' leddy tak' care."
Then she let the bowed head on her saft arm recline,
An' held to the pale lips the juice o' the vine,
Which soon to the cauld frame imparted a glow,
Whilst the tear-bedimmed eyes opened languid an' slow.
A pale glow suffused for a moment her cheek,
As her thanks an' surprise she endeavour'd to speak;
Perchance, too, she felt a wee tingin' o shame
When she saw wha noo owned her ance prided-in hame,
An' was ready to sink 'neath the grun' at their feet,
As she thocht for her measure sic luve was na meet;
But the kin' anes around her soon garred her feel ease,
Using every affectionate effort to please.
As a guest they addressed her, expressin' delight
That her visit should be on that holiday night.
Wi' the squire, Tam's wee leddy, an' Maggie an' a.
Saftly enterin' the chamber, they silently stood;
The stranger's dull garb spoke of lone widowhood,
An' the look of compassion in Jessie's dark eyes
Was quickly succeeded by that of sarprise;
In the pale sickly face of the stranger they met
A visage that time couldna mak' them forget.
A glance o' astonishment passed frae ilk een,
Then the servants were kindly dismissed frae the scepe.
"'Tis really hersel'," to the squire whispered Jess,
"Lady Clara, reduced to this piteous distress,
An' the bounie wee miss, Maggie, tak' her upstair,
Whilst I o' the puir sufferin' leddy tak' care."
Then she let the bowed head on her saft arm recline,
An' held to the pale lips the juice o' the vine,
Which soon to the cauld frame imparted a glow,
Whilst the tear-bedimmed eyes opened languid an' slow.
A pale glow suffused for a moment her cheek,
As her thanks an' surprise she endeavour'd to speak;
Perchance, too, she felt a wee tingin' o shame
When she saw wha noo owned her ance prided-in hame,
An' was ready to sink 'neath the grun' at their feet,
As she thocht for her measure sic luve was na meet;
But the kin' anes around her soon garred her feel ease,
Using every affectionate effort to please.
As a guest they addressed her, expressin' delight
That her visit should be on that holiday night.
