'Come, Goody, stop your humdrum wheel, Sweep up your orts, and get your Hat; Old joys reviv'd once more I feel, 'Tis Fair-day;--ay, _and more than that._ _The Deliberation_. 'Have you forgot, Kate, prithee say, 'How many Seasons here we've tarry'd? 'Tis _Forty_ years, this very day, 'Since you and I, old Girl, were _married_ 'Look out;--the Sun shines warm and bright, 'The Stiles are low, the paths all dry; 'I know you cut your corns last night: 'Come; be as free from care as I. 'For I'm resolv'd once more to see 'That place where we so often met; 'Though few have had more cares than we, 'We've none just now to make us fret.' Kate scorn'd to damp the generous flame That warm'd her aged Partner's breast; Yet, ere determination came, She thus some trifling doubts express'd. _Difficulties--Consent_. 'Night will come on; when seated snug, 'And you've perhaps begun some tale, 'Can you then leave your dear stone mug; 'Leave all the folks, and all the Ale?' 'Ay, Kate, I wool;--because I know, 'Though time has been we both could run, 'Such days are gone and over now;-- 'I only mean to see the fun.' She straight slipp'd off the Wall and Band, [Terms used in spinning] And laid aside her Lucks and Twitches: And to the Hutch [a chest] she reach'd her hand, And gave him out his Sunday Breeches. His Mattock he behind the door And Hedging-gloves again replac'd; And look'd across the yellow Moor, And urg'd his tott'ring Spouse to haste. _The Walk to the Fair._ The day was up, the air serene, The Firmament without a cloud; The Bee humm'd o'er the level green Where knots of trembling Cowslips bow'd. And RICHARD thus, with heart elate, As past things rush'd across his mind, Over his shoulder, talk'd to KATE, Who snug tuckt up, walk'd slow behind. 'When once a gigling Mawther you, 'And I a redfac'd chubby Boy, 'Sly tricks, you play'd me not a few; 'For mischief was your greatest joy. 'Once, passing by this very Tree, 'A Gotch [pitcher] of Milk I'd been to fill, 'You shoulder'd me; then laugh'd to see 'Me and my Gotch spin down the Hill' _Discourse on past Days._ 'Tis true,' she said; 'but here behold, 'And marvel at the course of Time; 'Though you and I are both grown old, 'This Tree is only in its prime!' 'Well, Goody, don't stand preaching now; 'Folks don't preach Sermons at a FAIR: 'We've rear'd Ten _Boys_ and _Girls_ you know; 'And I'll be bound they'll all be there.' Now friendly nods and smiles had they, From many a kind _Fair-going_ face: And many a pinch KATE gave away; While RICHARD kept his usual pace. At length arriv'd amidst the throng, _Grand-children_ bawling hem'd them round; And dragg'd them by the skirts along Where gingerbread bestrew'd the ground. _The Arrival.--Country Sports._ And soon the aged couple spy'd Their lusty _Sons_ and _Daughters_ dear: When RICHARD thus exulting cried, 'Did'nt I tell you they'd be here?'