My wife she was no milliner, or any other trade, sir. But was what I ne’er blush to own, a charming servant-maid, sir. I courted her, ’twas in a house, where she used to build the fires, And I’ve ne’er had cause to curse the day she first was Hezekiah’s. I ne’er have cause for jealousy, I never take home codgers, And what is more, I ne’er take in any single young men lodgers. I always do go home to tea, then draw up to the fire, My wife she reads, or mends the coat of happy Hezekiah. My wife and I we ne’er fall out, we love each other dearly, And of affections ’tis a fact, a pledge is sent us yearly. And what adds more unto the joy, which a parent should inspire, The children are the image of their father, Hezekiah. We four dear children now have got, and do expect another, The boys myself I do bring up, the girls I leave to their mother. Thus with the children and my wife, my own, my loved Sophia, So pleasantly doth pass the life of happy Hezekiah. The Girl I left behind Me. 70 I’m lonesome since I cross’d the hills And o’er the moor that’s sedgy; With heavy thoughts my mind is fill’d, Since I parted with Peggy. Whene’er I turn to view the place, The tears doth fall and blind me, When I think on the charming grace Of the girl I left behind me. The hours I remember well, When next to see doth move me, The burning flames my heart doth tell, Since first she own’d she loved me. In search of some one fair and gay, Several doth remind me; I know my darling loves me well, Though I left her behind me. The bees shall lavish, make no store, And the dove become a ranger, The fallen water cease to roar, Before I’ll ever change her. Each mutual promise faithful made, By her whose tears doth blind me, And bless the hours I pass away, With the girl I left behind me. My mind her image full retains, Whether asleep or awaken’d; I hope to see my jewel again, For her my heart is breaking. But if ever I do go that way, And she has not resign’d me, I’ll reconcile my mind and stay With the girl I left behind me. ’Tilda Horn. 71 Copied by permission of WM. HALL & SON, 543 Broadway, N. Y., owners of the copyright.