"Well," said Murphy, "I meant through the forest to run To look out for old Peter, when dinner was done. But before I set out I will frankly declare What detained me so late, though 'tis quite an affair Of a delicate nature----wait--p'rhaps it's best not To go talking about it--'tis better forgot-- She may think it unmanly, unjust, or unkind If I spread it abroad, so you please must not mind These few words I've just said; I'll be back here ere long, And will favour you then with a comical song." "Oh, oh!" said the farmer, and glanced a sly wink; "There's some gal in the gale then, you'd have us to think. We shall soon have a breeze, and a tempest will blow, If what's up in the wind you don't presently show. Pray be seated, there is no such great haste for the priest, Till we're satisfied all on this subject at least. What! oh, dear me! quick--water, she's fainting away!" He cried out, as the dame 'gainst his arm her head lay. While he knew, by the bye, just as much what to do, As a pig does of making an Irish stew. "No, no, brandy is better!" O'Flanagan said; "Raise her head!" whispered Clare. "Lay her down here!" said Ted. "Here's my salts," said Miss Riley, who twice had searched o'er Both her pockets, then strewed the contents on the floor. "Or some vinegar, p'rhaps, if applied to her brow Might her senses revive, which seem slumbering now," Exclaimed Mrs. Maguire; "poor, dear thing! she, indeed, Must have ate or drank something which has disagreed." "Warm her feet," said Miss Delhay; "and loosen her dress; If took out in the air she'd be better, I guess." Said her aunt, Mrs. Jonas, "Come, Murphy, lead her; And, Patrick, you run for a doctor to bleed her." "Oh, the wretch that I am! what a baste of a feller Thus to tease her to death, when I might as well tell her. It's no fault of my own if the girls will admire. Sure I cannot look ugly because I desire? Oh, pray come to, my dearest! my angel, revive! Do but squeeze out a smile, just to show you're alive. If you're not quite well soon, and my folly forgive, I shall ne'er more be happy as long as I live." Then she opened her eyes, cast them down to the ground, Rolled them slowly about, and in tones most profound Said, "There's not much the matter, I only was grieving For fear that dear Murphy had been a-deceiving. But I'm much better now, and quite able to hear What he wished to explain when I first was took queer." Oh, the wiles of the fair sex! What tricks they will try To beguile us poor men! With a tear in their eye They can crush Opposition without e'er a word, Though he wear a long tongue, and is armed with a sword. Yea, kingdoms have crumbled, washed away by a tear-- A deep sigh sent an army to a premature bier. Twice a kiss has released condemned captives from death; While a frown often robs from a hero his breath. Many heads once were broke when Meg Dogharty cried, And fair Chloe won lovers whenever she sighed. And pray who has not felt the sweet force of a smile