Again he ask'd the first that past him by; A cow-boy stopt his whistle to reply. "Why, I've a mistress coming home, that's all, They're playing Meg's diversion at the Hall; A Cow-Boy's Bravery "For master's gone, with Peggy, and his cousin, And all the lady folks, about a dozen, To church, down there; he'll marry one no doubt, For that it seems is what they're gone about; I know it by their laughing and their jokes, Tho' they _wor'nt_ ask'd at church like other folks." Gilbert kept on, and at the Hall-door found The winking servants, where the jest went round: All expectation; aye, and so was he, But not with heart so merry and so free. The kitchen table, never clear from beef, Where hunger found its solace and relief, Free to all strangers, had no charms for him, For agitation worried every limb; Ale he partook, but appetite had none, And grey-hounds watch'd in vain to catch the bone. Sitting upon Thorns. All sounds alarm'd him, and all thoughts perplex'd, With dogs, and beef, himself, and all things vex'd, Till with one mingled caw above his head, Their gliding shadows o'er the court-yard spread, The rooks by thousands rose: the bells struck up; He guess'd the cause, and down he set the cup, And listening, heard, amidst the general hum, A joyful exclamation, "Here they come!"-- Soon Herbert's cheerful voice was heard above, Amidst the rustling hand-maids of his love, And Gilbert follow'd without thought or dread, The broad oak stair-case thundr'd with his tread; Light tript the party, gay as gay could be, Amidst their bridal dresses--there came he! And with a look that guilt could ne'er withstand, Approach'd his niece and caught her by the hand, Anger disarmed. "Now are you married, Peggy, yes or no? Tell me at once, before I let you go!" Abrupt he spoke, and gave her arm a swing, But the same moment felt the wedding ring, And stood confus'd.--She wip'd th' empassion'd tear, "I am, I am; but is my father here?" Herbert stood by, and sharing with his bride, That perturbation which she strove to hide; "Come, honest Gilbert, you're too rough this time, Indeed here's not the shadow of a crime; But where's your brother? When did you arrive? We waited long, for Nathan went at five!" All this was Greek to Gilbert, downright Greek: He knew not what to think, nor how to speak. The case was this; that Nathan with a cart To fetch them both at day-break was to start, An Explanation.