LUBIN complies. And straight he hears That he had many long, long years; That he a maid inconstant, loves, Who, to another slyly roves. That a dark man his bane will be— “And poison his domestic hours; “While a fair woman, treach’rously— “Will dress his brow—with thorns and flow’rs!” It happen’d, to confirm his care— STEPHEN was _dark_,—and KATE was _fair_! Nay more that “home his bride would bring “A little, alien, prattling thing “In just six moons!” Poor LUBIN hears All that confirms his jealous fears; Perplex’d and frantic, what to do The cheated Lover scarcely knew. He flies to KATE, and straight he tells The wonder that in magic dwells! Speaks of the Fortune-telling crew, And how all things the Vagrants knew; KATE hears: and soon determines, she Will know _her_ future destiny. Swift to the wood she hies, tho’ late To read the tablet of her Fate. The Moon its crystal beam scarce shew’d Upon the darkly shadow’d road; The hedge-row was the feasting-place Where, round a little blazing wood, The wand’ring, dingy, gabbling race, Crowded in merry mood. And now she loiter’d near the scene. Now peep’d the hazle copse between; Fearful that LUBIN might be near The story of _her_ Fate to hear.— She saw the feasting circle gay By the stol’n faggot’s yellow light; She heard them, as in sportive play, They chear’d the sullen gloom of night. Nor was sly KATE by all unseen Peeping, the hazle copse between. And now across the thicket side A tatter’d, skulking youth she spied; He beckon’d her along, and soon, Hid safely from the prying moon, His hand with silver, thrice she crosses— “Tell me,” said she, “my gains and losses?” “You gain a _fool_,” the youth replies, “You lose a lover too.” The false one blushes deep, and sighs, For well the truth she knew! “You gave to STEPHEN, vows; nay more “You gave him favors rare: “And LUBIN is condemn’d to share “What many others shar’d before! “A false, capricious, guilty heart, “Made up of folly, vice, and art, “Which only takes a wedded mate “To brand with shame, an husband’s fate.”