E-text prepared by Janet Blenkinship and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) from digital material generously made available by Internet Archive/American Libraries (http://www.archive.org/details/americana) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original lovely illustrations. See 22181-h.htm or 22181-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/1/8/22181/22181-h/22181-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/1/8/22181/22181-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive/American Libraries. See http://www.archive.org/details/maidthemagpieint00moreiala THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE _an Interesting Tale_ Founded on Facts by CHARLES MORETON [Illustration: FRONTISPIECE. _Verse 4_] London. Published by G. Stevens, 10 Borough Road, Southwark. [Illustration: _Verse 16_] THE _MAID_ AND THE MAGPIE. 1 At Palaiseau, there liv'd a maid, In form and features mild; The stings of conscience never prey'd, On this devoted child. 2 She serv'd a wealthy farmer there, An honest soul was he; Her comforts were his only care, And all he wish'd to see. 3 His wife was of another mould, And prematurely smart; Hasty, and rash, with that a scold, Yet still a feeling heart. 4 One summers eve', her labor done, She sat in pensive plight; Watching the clear declining sun, With rapt'rous delight. 5 'Twas then, that Blaisot trembling came And sitting by her side; Ventur'd to declare his flame, And ask her for his bride. 6 He told his tale of tender love, Then on her hand he sigh'd! Annette she blush'd, her love to prove And with his suit complied. 7 In mutual flame, their bosoms burn, He steals a rapt'rous kiss; When soon old Juliannes return, Distroy'd the lovers bliss. 8 By Farm-house door in wicker cage, A Magpie hung to view; Whose prattling tongue would oft assuage, The melancholy few. 9 Julianne now strict orders made, To clean up all the plate; Annette her orders quick obey'd And sought the outer gate. 10 Her Father who was sadly poor, And wander'd heedless were; Just at the moment reach'd the door, In wild, and deep dispair. 11 His wretched form, she knew full well, His voice she knew as soon; Her feelings now what pen can tell, She dropt both fork and spoon. 12 She rush'd distracted to his arms, In extacy of joy; Nor dreamt that scoffs and rude alarms Would e'er her peace destroy. 13 When at this moment from his hold, The Magpie swiftly flew; He seiz'd the spoon: ah! wretch so bold, And dragg'd it from their view. 14 Swift to the Abbey then he sped, Borne on the buoyant air; Nor ever thought that as he fled, Annette his guilt would bear. [Illustration: _Verse 32_] 15 Look up my child and view me here, One lost to all his clan; My enemies, alas! are near, To claim a wretched man. 16