Above control pursued his generous way, And talk'd to Peggy of the marriage day. Poor girl! she heard, with anguish and with doubt, What her too knowing neighbours preach'd about, That Herbert would some nobler match prefer, And surely never, never marry her; Yet, with what trembling and delight she bore The kiss, and heard the vow, "I'll doubt no more;" "Protect me Herbert, for your honour's sake You will," she cried, "nor leave my heart to break." Then wrote to uncle Gilbert, joys, and fears, And hope, and trust, and sprinkled all with tears. Rous'd was the dormant spirit of the brave, E'en lameness rose to succour and to save; For, though they both rever'd young Herbert's name, And knew his unexceptionable fame; Doubts.--Parental Feelings. And though the girl had honestly declar'd Love's first approaches, and their counsel shar'd, Yet, that he truly meant to take for life The poor and lowly Peggy for a wife; Or, that she was not doom'd to be deceiv'd, Was out of bounds:--it _could not_ be believ'd. "Go, Gilbert; save her; I, you know, am lame; Go, brother, go; and save my child from shame. Haste, and I'll pray for your success the while, Go, go;"--then bang'd his crutch upon the stile:-- It snapt.--E'en Gilbert trembled while he smote, Then whipt the broken end beneath his coat; "Aye, aye, I'll settle them; I'll let them see Who's to be conqu'ror this time, I or he!" [Illustration: two men at a stile.] Gilbert on the Road!--An Adventure. Then off he set, and with enormous strides, Rebellious mutterings and oaths besides, O'er clover-field and fallow, bank and brier, Pursu'd the nearest cut, and fann'd the fire That burnt within him.--Soon the Hall he spied, And the grey willows by the water side; Nature cried "halt!" nor could he well refuse; Stop, Gilbert, breathe awhile, and ask _the news_. "News?" cried a stooping grandame of the vale, Aye, rare news too; I'll tell you such a tale; But let me rest; this bank is dry and warm; Do you know Peggy Meldrum at the farm? Young Herbert's girl? He'as cloath'd her all in white. You never saw so beautiful a sight! Ah! he's a fine young man, and such a face! I knew his grandfather and all his race; He rode a tall white horse, and look'd so big, But how shall I describe his hat and wig?" A promising Story cut short. "Plague take his wig," cried Gilbert, "and his hat, Where's Peggy Meldrum? can you tell me _that_?" "Aye; but have patience man, you'll hear anon, For I shall come to her as I go on, So hark 'ye friend; his grandfather I say,"-- "Poh, poh,"--cried Gilbert, as he turn'd away. Her eyes were fix'd, her story at a stand, The snuff-box lay half open'd in her hand; "You great ill-manner'd clown! but I must bear it; You oaf; to ask the news, and then won't hear it!" But Gilbert had gain'd forty paces clear, When the reproof came murmuring on his ear.