Steady as time, no sudden squalls you fear, But set full sail and with assurance steer; Till every danger in your way be pass'd, And then she gently, mildly breathes her last; 80 Rich you arrive, in port awhile remain, And for a second venture sail again. For this, blithe Donald southward made his way, And left the lasses on the banks of Tay; Him to a neighbouring garden fortune sent, Whom we beheld, aspiringly content: Patient and mild, he sought the dame to please, Who ruled the kitchen and who bore the keys. Fair Lucy first, the laundry's grace and pride, With smiles and gracious looks, her fortune tried; 90 But all in vain she praised his "pawky eyne," Where never fondness was for Lucy seen: Him the mild Susan, boast of dairies, loved, And found him civil, cautious, and unmoved: From many a fragrant simple, Catharine's skill Drew oil and essence from the boiling still; But not her warmth, nor all her winning ways, From his cool phlegm could Donald's spirit raise: Of beauty heedless, with the merry mute, To Mistress Dobson he preferr'd his suit; 100 There proved his service, there address'd his vows, And saw her mistress--friend--protectress--spouse; A butler now, he thanks his powerful bride, And, like her keys, keeps constant at her side. Next at our altar stood a luckless pair, Brought by strong passions and a warrant there; By long rent cloak, hung loosely, strove the bride, From ev'ry eye what all perceived to hide; While the boy-bridegroom, shuffling in his pace, Now hid awhile and then exposed his face; 110 As shame alternately with anger strove The brain confused with muddy ale to move. In haste and stammering he perform'd his part, And look'd the rage that rankled in his heart; (So will each lover inly curse his fate, Too soon made happy and made wise too late;) I saw his features take a savage gloom, And deeply threaten for the days to come. Low spake the lass, and lisp'd and minced the while, Look'd on the lad, and faintly tried to smile; 120 With soften'd speech and humbled tone she strove To stir the embers of departed love: While he, a tyrant, frowning walk'd before, Felt the poor purse and sought the public door, She, sadly following, in submission went, And saw the final shilling foully spent; Then to her father's hut the pair withdrew, And bade to love and comfort long adieu! Ah! fly temptation, youth, refrain! refrain! I preach for ever; but I preach in vain! 130