"We did so laugh; the moon shone bright; "More fun you never knew; "'Twas Farmer Cheerum's _Horkey night_, "And I, and Grace, and Sue---- "But bring a stool, sit round about, "And boys, be quiet, pray; "And let me tell my story out; "'Twas _sitch_ a merry day! "The butcher whistled at the door, "And brought a load of meat; "Boys rubb'd their hands, and cried, 'there's more,' "Dogs wagg'd their tails to see't. "On went the boilers till the _hake_[Footnote: A sliding pot-hook] "Had much ado to bear 'em; "The magpie talk'd for talking sake, "Birds sung;--but who could hear 'em? "Creak went the jack; the cats were _scar'd_, "We had not time to heed 'em, "The _owd hins_ cackled in the yard, "For we forgot to feed 'em! "Yet 'twas not I, as I may say, "Because as how, d'ye see; "I only help'd there for the day; "They cou'dn't lay't to me. "Now Mrs. Cheerum's best lace cap "Was mounted on her head; "Guests at the door began to rap, "And now the cloth was spread. "Then clatter went the earthen plates-- "'Mind Judie,' was the cry; "I could have _cop't_[Footnote: Thrown] them at their pates; "'Trenchers for me,' said I. "'That look so clean upon the ledge, "'And never mind a fall; "'Nor never turn a sharp knife's edge;-- "'But fashion rules us all.' "Home came the jovial _Horkey load_, "Last of the whole year's crop; "And Grace amongst the green boughs rode "Right plump upon the top. "This way and that the waggon reel'd, "And never queen rode higher; "_Her_ cheeks were colour'd in the field, "And ours before the fire. "The laughing harvest-folks, and John, "Came in and look'd askew; "'Twas my red face that set them on, "And then they leer'd at Sue. "And Farmer Cheerum went, good man, "And broach'd the _Horkey beer_; "And _sitch a mort_[Footnote: Such a number.] of folks began "To eat up our good cheer. "Says he, 'Thank God for what's before us; "'That thus we meet agen,' "The mingling voices, like a chorus, "Join'd cheerfully, 'Amen.'-- "Welcome and plenty, there they found 'em, "The ribs of beef grew light; "And puddings--till the boys got round 'em, "And then they vanish'd quite! "Now all the guests, with Farmer Crouder, "Began to prate of corn; "And we found out they talk'd the louder, "The oftner pass'd the Horn. "Out came the nuts; we set a cracking; "The ale came round our way; "_By gom_ we women fell a clacking "As loud again as they. "John sung 'Old Benbow' loud and strong, "And I, 'The Constant Swain,' "'Cheer up my Lads,' was Simon's song, "'We'll conquer them again.' "Now twelve o'clock was drawing nigh, "And all in merry cue; "I knock'd the cask, 'O, ho!' said I, "'We've almost conquer'd you.' "_My Lord_[Footnote: The leader of the reapers.] begg'd round, and held his hat, "Says Farmer Gruff, says he, "There's many a Lord, Sam, I know that, "Has begg'd as well as thee.'