The Swiss patriot/The Maid of Lodi
THE MAID OF LODI.
I sing the maid of Lodi,
Who sweetly sung to me,
Whose brows were never cloudy,
Nor o’er distort with glee.
She values not the wealthy,
Unless they're great and good,
For she is strong and healthy,
And by labour earns her food.
And when her day’s work’s over;
Around a cheerful fire,
She sings, or rests contented;
What more can man desire?
Let those who squander millions
Review her happy lot,
They’ll find their proud pavillions
Far inferior to her cot.
Between the Po and Parma,
Some villains seiz’d my coach,
And dragg’d me to a cavern,
Most dreadful to approach;
By which the maid of Lodi
Came trotting from the fair;
She paus'd to hear my wailings,
And see me tear my hair.
Then to her market basket
She tied her poney's rein;
I thus by female courage
Was dragg'd to life again.
She led me to her dwelling,
She cheer'd my heart with wine,
And then she deck'd a table
At which the gods might dine.
Among the mild Madonas
Her features you may find;
But not the fam'd Corregios
Could ever paint her mind.
Then sing the maid of Lodi,
Who sweetly sung to me;
And when this maid is married,
Still happier may she be.