the seaside village.
73
At once to step to them he made up his mind,
But when his seat was ta'en theirs was quickly resign'd,
An' words again reached him which made him aware
He couldna impose on the guid people there.
"He's the fellow we saw yestermorn walk the town,
Wi' his staff an' his bundle, 'maist a' the forenoon;
The village a' kens he's some bankrupt or swell,
For nae gentleman e'er hawked a bundle himsel'."
The stranger's brown cheek wi' the hot blood was dyed,
While his lips wore a curve o' vexation or pride
As he rose to depart, but next moment was seen
A twinkle o' mischief far ben in his een.
"Weel, I'll hie to the widow's an' pass awa' time,
Fell poverty's theirs, an' the bundle's my crime."
Quo' he, as he turned the hame path to pursue,
When he paused in the street with a "Wheugh! what's to do?"
For a group, through which gladness would seem to abound,
Had gathered the Post-Office window around,
Where close 'gainst the pane which attracted a' een
A letter wi' dashin' address micht be seen,
To the village directed, an honour most rare,
For Lord H. Augustus ——— (the Duke's son and heir),
Wha 'twas said was new hame to the noble Duke's seat
Frae the seas whare he held the command o' a fleet.
But when his seat was ta'en theirs was quickly resign'd,
An' words again reached him which made him aware
He couldna impose on the guid people there.
"He's the fellow we saw yestermorn walk the town,
Wi' his staff an' his bundle, 'maist a' the forenoon;
The village a' kens he's some bankrupt or swell,
For nae gentleman e'er hawked a bundle himsel'."
The stranger's brown cheek wi' the hot blood was dyed,
While his lips wore a curve o' vexation or pride
As he rose to depart, but next moment was seen
A twinkle o' mischief far ben in his een.
"Weel, I'll hie to the widow's an' pass awa' time,
Fell poverty's theirs, an' the bundle's my crime."
Quo' he, as he turned the hame path to pursue,
When he paused in the street with a "Wheugh! what's to do?"
For a group, through which gladness would seem to abound,
Had gathered the Post-Office window around,
Where close 'gainst the pane which attracted a' een
A letter wi' dashin' address micht be seen,
To the village directed, an honour most rare,
For Lord H. Augustus ——— (the Duke's son and heir),
Wha 'twas said was new hame to the noble Duke's seat
Frae the seas whare he held the command o' a fleet.
