The FORTUNE-TELLER,A GYPSY TALE.
LubinandKate, as gossips tell,Were Lovers many a day;Lubinthe damsel lov’d so well,That folks pretend to sayThe silly, simple, doting Lad,Was little less than loving mad:A malady not known of late—Among the little-loving Great!Kateliked the youth; but woman-kindAre sometimes giv’n to range.And oft, the giddy Sex, we find,(They know not why)When most they promise, soonest change,And still for conquest sigh:So ’twas withKate; she, ever rovingWas never fix’d, though always loving!StephenwasLubin’s rival; heA rustic libertine was known;And many a blushing simple She,The rogue had left,—to sigh alone!Katecared but little for the rover,Yet she resolv’d to have her way,ForStephenwas the village Lover,And women pant for Sov’reign sway.And he, who has been known to ruin,—Is always sought, and always wooing.Stephenhad long in secret sigh’d;AndStephennever was deny’d:Now,Lubinwas a modest swain,And therefore, treated with disdain:For, it is said, inLoveandWar,—The boldest, most successful are!Vows, were to him but fairy thingsBorne on capricious Fancy’s wings;And promises, the Phantom’s AiryWhich falsehood form’d to cheat th’ unwary;For still deception was his trade,And though his traffic well was known,Still, every trophy was his ownWhich the proud Victor, Love, display’d.In short, thisStephenwas the baneOf ev’ry maid,—and ev’ry swain!Katehad too often play’d the fool,And now, at length, was caught;For she, who had been pleas’d to rule,Was now, poor Maiden, taught!AndStephenrul’d with boundless sway,The rustic tyrant of his day.Lubinhad giv’n inconstantKate,Ten pounds, to buy her wedding geer:And now, ’tis said, tho’ somewhat late,He thought his bargain rather dear.For, Lo! The day before the pairHad fix’d, the marriage chain to wear,AGypsygang, a wand’ring set,In a lone wood youngLubinmet.All round him press with canting tale,And, in a jargon, well design’dTo cheat the unsuspecting mind,His list’ning ears assail.Some promis’d riches; others sworeHe should, by women, be ador’d;And never sad, and never poor—Live like a Squire, or Lord;—Do what he pleas’d, and ne’er be broughtTo shame,—for what he did, or thought;Seduce men’s wives and daughters fair,Spend wealth, while others toil’d in vain,And scoff at honesty, and swear,—And scoff, and trick, and swear again!Oneroguish Girl, with sparkling eyes,To win the handsomeLubintries;She smil’d, and by her speaking glance,Enthrall’d him in a wond’ring trance;He thought her lovelier far thanKate,And wish’d that she had been his mate;For when theFANCYis on wing,Variety’s a dangerous thing:AndPASSIONS, when they learn to strayWill seldom seldom keep the beaten way.The gypsy girl, with speaking eyes,Observ’d her pupil’s fond surprize,She begg’d that he her hand would cross,With Sixpence; and that He should knowHis future scene of gain and loss,His weal and woe.—Lubincomplies. And straight he hearsThat he had many long, long years;That he a maid inconstant, loves,Who, to another slyly roves.That a dark man his bane will be—“And poison his domestic hours;“While a fair woman, treach’rously—“Will dress his brow—with thorns and flow’rs!”It happen’d, to confirm his care—Stephenwasdark,—andKatewasfair!Nay more that “home his bride would bring“A little, alien, prattling thing“In just six moons!” PoorLubinhearsAll that confirms his jealous fears;Perplex’d and frantic, what to doThe cheated Lover scarcely knew.He flies toKate, and straight he tellsThe wonder that in magic dwells!Speaks of the Fortune-telling crew,And how all things the Vagrants knew;Katehears: and soon determines, sheWill knowherfuture destiny.Swift to the wood she hies, tho’ lateTo read the tablet of her Fate.The Moon its crystal beam scarce shew’dUpon the darkly shadow’d road;The hedge-row was the feasting-placeWhere, round a little blazing wood,The wand’ring, dingy, gabbling race,Crowded in merry mood.And now she loiter’d near the scene.Now peep’d the hazle copse between;Fearful thatLubinmight be nearThe story ofherFate to hear.—She saw the feasting circle gayBy the stol’n faggot’s yellow light;She heard them, as in sportive play,They chear’d the sullen gloom of night.Nor was slyKateby all unseenPeeping, the hazle copse between.And now across the thicket sideA tatter’d, skulking youth she spied;He beckon’d her along, and soon,Hid safely from the prying moon,His hand with silver, thrice she crosses—“Tell me,” said she, “my gains and losses?”“You gain afool,” the youth replies,“You lose a lover too.”The false one blushes deep, and sighs,For well the truth she knew!“You gave toStephen, vows; nay more“You gave him favors rare:“AndLubinis condemn’d to share“What many others shar’d before!“A false, capricious, guilty heart,“Made up of folly, vice, and art,“Which only takes a wedded mate“To brand with shame, an husband’s fate.”“Hush! hush!” criedKate, for Heav’n’s sake be“As secret as the grave—“ForLubinmeans to marry me—“And if you will not me betray,“I for your silence well will pay;“Five poundsthis moment you shall have.”—“I will haveTen!” the gypsy cries—The fearful, trembling girl complies.But, what was her dismay, to findThatLubinwas the gypsy bold;The cunning, fortune-telling hindWho had the artful story told—Who thus, was cur’d of jealous pain,—“And got hisTEN POUNDSback again!Thus, Fortune pays theLoverbold!But, gentle Maids, should FateHave anysecretyet untold,—Remember,simpleKate!
LubinandKate, as gossips tell,Were Lovers many a day;Lubinthe damsel lov’d so well,That folks pretend to sayThe silly, simple, doting Lad,Was little less than loving mad:A malady not known of late—Among the little-loving Great!Kateliked the youth; but woman-kindAre sometimes giv’n to range.And oft, the giddy Sex, we find,(They know not why)When most they promise, soonest change,And still for conquest sigh:So ’twas withKate; she, ever rovingWas never fix’d, though always loving!StephenwasLubin’s rival; heA rustic libertine was known;And many a blushing simple She,The rogue had left,—to sigh alone!Katecared but little for the rover,Yet she resolv’d to have her way,ForStephenwas the village Lover,And women pant for Sov’reign sway.And he, who has been known to ruin,—Is always sought, and always wooing.Stephenhad long in secret sigh’d;AndStephennever was deny’d:Now,Lubinwas a modest swain,And therefore, treated with disdain:For, it is said, inLoveandWar,—The boldest, most successful are!Vows, were to him but fairy thingsBorne on capricious Fancy’s wings;And promises, the Phantom’s AiryWhich falsehood form’d to cheat th’ unwary;For still deception was his trade,And though his traffic well was known,Still, every trophy was his ownWhich the proud Victor, Love, display’d.In short, thisStephenwas the baneOf ev’ry maid,—and ev’ry swain!Katehad too often play’d the fool,And now, at length, was caught;For she, who had been pleas’d to rule,Was now, poor Maiden, taught!AndStephenrul’d with boundless sway,The rustic tyrant of his day.Lubinhad giv’n inconstantKate,Ten pounds, to buy her wedding geer:And now, ’tis said, tho’ somewhat late,He thought his bargain rather dear.For, Lo! The day before the pairHad fix’d, the marriage chain to wear,AGypsygang, a wand’ring set,In a lone wood youngLubinmet.All round him press with canting tale,And, in a jargon, well design’dTo cheat the unsuspecting mind,His list’ning ears assail.Some promis’d riches; others sworeHe should, by women, be ador’d;And never sad, and never poor—Live like a Squire, or Lord;—Do what he pleas’d, and ne’er be broughtTo shame,—for what he did, or thought;Seduce men’s wives and daughters fair,Spend wealth, while others toil’d in vain,And scoff at honesty, and swear,—And scoff, and trick, and swear again!Oneroguish Girl, with sparkling eyes,To win the handsomeLubintries;She smil’d, and by her speaking glance,Enthrall’d him in a wond’ring trance;He thought her lovelier far thanKate,And wish’d that she had been his mate;For when theFANCYis on wing,Variety’s a dangerous thing:AndPASSIONS, when they learn to strayWill seldom seldom keep the beaten way.The gypsy girl, with speaking eyes,Observ’d her pupil’s fond surprize,She begg’d that he her hand would cross,With Sixpence; and that He should knowHis future scene of gain and loss,His weal and woe.—Lubincomplies. And straight he hearsThat he had many long, long years;That he a maid inconstant, loves,Who, to another slyly roves.That a dark man his bane will be—“And poison his domestic hours;“While a fair woman, treach’rously—“Will dress his brow—with thorns and flow’rs!”It happen’d, to confirm his care—Stephenwasdark,—andKatewasfair!Nay more that “home his bride would bring“A little, alien, prattling thing“In just six moons!” PoorLubinhearsAll that confirms his jealous fears;Perplex’d and frantic, what to doThe cheated Lover scarcely knew.He flies toKate, and straight he tellsThe wonder that in magic dwells!Speaks of the Fortune-telling crew,And how all things the Vagrants knew;Katehears: and soon determines, sheWill knowherfuture destiny.Swift to the wood she hies, tho’ lateTo read the tablet of her Fate.The Moon its crystal beam scarce shew’dUpon the darkly shadow’d road;The hedge-row was the feasting-placeWhere, round a little blazing wood,The wand’ring, dingy, gabbling race,Crowded in merry mood.And now she loiter’d near the scene.Now peep’d the hazle copse between;Fearful thatLubinmight be nearThe story ofherFate to hear.—She saw the feasting circle gayBy the stol’n faggot’s yellow light;She heard them, as in sportive play,They chear’d the sullen gloom of night.Nor was slyKateby all unseenPeeping, the hazle copse between.And now across the thicket sideA tatter’d, skulking youth she spied;He beckon’d her along, and soon,Hid safely from the prying moon,His hand with silver, thrice she crosses—“Tell me,” said she, “my gains and losses?”“You gain afool,” the youth replies,“You lose a lover too.”The false one blushes deep, and sighs,For well the truth she knew!“You gave toStephen, vows; nay more“You gave him favors rare:“AndLubinis condemn’d to share“What many others shar’d before!“A false, capricious, guilty heart,“Made up of folly, vice, and art,“Which only takes a wedded mate“To brand with shame, an husband’s fate.”“Hush! hush!” criedKate, for Heav’n’s sake be“As secret as the grave—“ForLubinmeans to marry me—“And if you will not me betray,“I for your silence well will pay;“Five poundsthis moment you shall have.”—“I will haveTen!” the gypsy cries—The fearful, trembling girl complies.But, what was her dismay, to findThatLubinwas the gypsy bold;The cunning, fortune-telling hindWho had the artful story told—Who thus, was cur’d of jealous pain,—“And got hisTEN POUNDSback again!Thus, Fortune pays theLoverbold!But, gentle Maids, should FateHave anysecretyet untold,—Remember,simpleKate!
LubinandKate, as gossips tell,Were Lovers many a day;Lubinthe damsel lov’d so well,That folks pretend to sayThe silly, simple, doting Lad,Was little less than loving mad:A malady not known of late—Among the little-loving Great!
LubinandKate, as gossips tell,
Were Lovers many a day;
Lubinthe damsel lov’d so well,
That folks pretend to say
The silly, simple, doting Lad,
Was little less than loving mad:
A malady not known of late—
Among the little-loving Great!
Kateliked the youth; but woman-kindAre sometimes giv’n to range.And oft, the giddy Sex, we find,(They know not why)When most they promise, soonest change,And still for conquest sigh:So ’twas withKate; she, ever rovingWas never fix’d, though always loving!
Kateliked the youth; but woman-kind
Are sometimes giv’n to range.
And oft, the giddy Sex, we find,
(They know not why)
When most they promise, soonest change,
And still for conquest sigh:
So ’twas withKate; she, ever roving
Was never fix’d, though always loving!
StephenwasLubin’s rival; heA rustic libertine was known;And many a blushing simple She,The rogue had left,—to sigh alone!Katecared but little for the rover,Yet she resolv’d to have her way,ForStephenwas the village Lover,And women pant for Sov’reign sway.And he, who has been known to ruin,—Is always sought, and always wooing.
StephenwasLubin’s rival; he
A rustic libertine was known;
And many a blushing simple She,
The rogue had left,—to sigh alone!
Katecared but little for the rover,
Yet she resolv’d to have her way,
ForStephenwas the village Lover,
And women pant for Sov’reign sway.
And he, who has been known to ruin,—
Is always sought, and always wooing.
Stephenhad long in secret sigh’d;AndStephennever was deny’d:Now,Lubinwas a modest swain,And therefore, treated with disdain:For, it is said, inLoveandWar,—The boldest, most successful are!
Stephenhad long in secret sigh’d;
AndStephennever was deny’d:
Now,Lubinwas a modest swain,
And therefore, treated with disdain:
For, it is said, inLoveandWar,—
The boldest, most successful are!
Vows, were to him but fairy thingsBorne on capricious Fancy’s wings;And promises, the Phantom’s AiryWhich falsehood form’d to cheat th’ unwary;For still deception was his trade,And though his traffic well was known,Still, every trophy was his ownWhich the proud Victor, Love, display’d.In short, thisStephenwas the baneOf ev’ry maid,—and ev’ry swain!
Vows, were to him but fairy things
Borne on capricious Fancy’s wings;
And promises, the Phantom’s Airy
Which falsehood form’d to cheat th’ unwary;
For still deception was his trade,
And though his traffic well was known,
Still, every trophy was his own
Which the proud Victor, Love, display’d.
In short, thisStephenwas the bane
Of ev’ry maid,—and ev’ry swain!
Katehad too often play’d the fool,And now, at length, was caught;For she, who had been pleas’d to rule,Was now, poor Maiden, taught!AndStephenrul’d with boundless sway,The rustic tyrant of his day.
Katehad too often play’d the fool,
And now, at length, was caught;
For she, who had been pleas’d to rule,
Was now, poor Maiden, taught!
AndStephenrul’d with boundless sway,
The rustic tyrant of his day.
Lubinhad giv’n inconstantKate,Ten pounds, to buy her wedding geer:And now, ’tis said, tho’ somewhat late,He thought his bargain rather dear.For, Lo! The day before the pairHad fix’d, the marriage chain to wear,AGypsygang, a wand’ring set,In a lone wood youngLubinmet.All round him press with canting tale,And, in a jargon, well design’dTo cheat the unsuspecting mind,His list’ning ears assail.
Lubinhad giv’n inconstantKate,
Ten pounds, to buy her wedding geer:
And now, ’tis said, tho’ somewhat late,
He thought his bargain rather dear.
For, Lo! The day before the pair
Had fix’d, the marriage chain to wear,
AGypsygang, a wand’ring set,
In a lone wood youngLubinmet.
All round him press with canting tale,
And, in a jargon, well design’d
To cheat the unsuspecting mind,
His list’ning ears assail.
Some promis’d riches; others sworeHe should, by women, be ador’d;And never sad, and never poor—Live like a Squire, or Lord;—Do what he pleas’d, and ne’er be broughtTo shame,—for what he did, or thought;Seduce men’s wives and daughters fair,Spend wealth, while others toil’d in vain,And scoff at honesty, and swear,—And scoff, and trick, and swear again!
Some promis’d riches; others swore
He should, by women, be ador’d;
And never sad, and never poor—
Live like a Squire, or Lord;—
Do what he pleas’d, and ne’er be brought
To shame,—for what he did, or thought;
Seduce men’s wives and daughters fair,
Spend wealth, while others toil’d in vain,
And scoff at honesty, and swear,—
And scoff, and trick, and swear again!
Oneroguish Girl, with sparkling eyes,To win the handsomeLubintries;She smil’d, and by her speaking glance,Enthrall’d him in a wond’ring trance;He thought her lovelier far thanKate,And wish’d that she had been his mate;For when theFANCYis on wing,Variety’s a dangerous thing:AndPASSIONS, when they learn to strayWill seldom seldom keep the beaten way.The gypsy girl, with speaking eyes,Observ’d her pupil’s fond surprize,She begg’d that he her hand would cross,With Sixpence; and that He should knowHis future scene of gain and loss,His weal and woe.—
Oneroguish Girl, with sparkling eyes,
To win the handsomeLubintries;
She smil’d, and by her speaking glance,
Enthrall’d him in a wond’ring trance;
He thought her lovelier far thanKate,
And wish’d that she had been his mate;
For when theFANCYis on wing,
Variety’s a dangerous thing:
AndPASSIONS, when they learn to stray
Will seldom seldom keep the beaten way.
The gypsy girl, with speaking eyes,
Observ’d her pupil’s fond surprize,
She begg’d that he her hand would cross,
With Sixpence; and that He should know
His future scene of gain and loss,
His weal and woe.—
Lubincomplies. And straight he hearsThat he had many long, long years;That he a maid inconstant, loves,Who, to another slyly roves.That a dark man his bane will be—“And poison his domestic hours;“While a fair woman, treach’rously—“Will dress his brow—with thorns and flow’rs!”It happen’d, to confirm his care—Stephenwasdark,—andKatewasfair!Nay more that “home his bride would bring“A little, alien, prattling thing“In just six moons!” PoorLubinhearsAll that confirms his jealous fears;Perplex’d and frantic, what to doThe cheated Lover scarcely knew.He flies toKate, and straight he tellsThe wonder that in magic dwells!Speaks of the Fortune-telling crew,And how all things the Vagrants knew;Katehears: and soon determines, sheWill knowherfuture destiny.
Lubincomplies. And straight he hears
That he had many long, long years;
That he a maid inconstant, loves,
Who, to another slyly roves.
That a dark man his bane will be—
“And poison his domestic hours;
“While a fair woman, treach’rously—
“Will dress his brow—with thorns and flow’rs!”
It happen’d, to confirm his care—
Stephenwasdark,—andKatewasfair!
Nay more that “home his bride would bring
“A little, alien, prattling thing
“In just six moons!” PoorLubinhears
All that confirms his jealous fears;
Perplex’d and frantic, what to do
The cheated Lover scarcely knew.
He flies toKate, and straight he tells
The wonder that in magic dwells!
Speaks of the Fortune-telling crew,
And how all things the Vagrants knew;
Katehears: and soon determines, she
Will knowherfuture destiny.
Swift to the wood she hies, tho’ lateTo read the tablet of her Fate.The Moon its crystal beam scarce shew’dUpon the darkly shadow’d road;The hedge-row was the feasting-placeWhere, round a little blazing wood,The wand’ring, dingy, gabbling race,Crowded in merry mood.
Swift to the wood she hies, tho’ late
To read the tablet of her Fate.
The Moon its crystal beam scarce shew’d
Upon the darkly shadow’d road;
The hedge-row was the feasting-place
Where, round a little blazing wood,
The wand’ring, dingy, gabbling race,
Crowded in merry mood.
And now she loiter’d near the scene.Now peep’d the hazle copse between;Fearful thatLubinmight be nearThe story ofherFate to hear.—She saw the feasting circle gayBy the stol’n faggot’s yellow light;She heard them, as in sportive play,They chear’d the sullen gloom of night.Nor was slyKateby all unseenPeeping, the hazle copse between.
And now she loiter’d near the scene.
Now peep’d the hazle copse between;
Fearful thatLubinmight be near
The story ofherFate to hear.—
She saw the feasting circle gay
By the stol’n faggot’s yellow light;
She heard them, as in sportive play,
They chear’d the sullen gloom of night.
Nor was slyKateby all unseen
Peeping, the hazle copse between.
And now across the thicket sideA tatter’d, skulking youth she spied;He beckon’d her along, and soon,Hid safely from the prying moon,His hand with silver, thrice she crosses—“Tell me,” said she, “my gains and losses?”
And now across the thicket side
A tatter’d, skulking youth she spied;
He beckon’d her along, and soon,
Hid safely from the prying moon,
His hand with silver, thrice she crosses—
“Tell me,” said she, “my gains and losses?”
“You gain afool,” the youth replies,“You lose a lover too.”The false one blushes deep, and sighs,For well the truth she knew!“You gave toStephen, vows; nay more“You gave him favors rare:“AndLubinis condemn’d to share“What many others shar’d before!“A false, capricious, guilty heart,“Made up of folly, vice, and art,“Which only takes a wedded mate“To brand with shame, an husband’s fate.”
“You gain afool,” the youth replies,
“You lose a lover too.”
The false one blushes deep, and sighs,
For well the truth she knew!
“You gave toStephen, vows; nay more
“You gave him favors rare:
“AndLubinis condemn’d to share
“What many others shar’d before!
“A false, capricious, guilty heart,
“Made up of folly, vice, and art,
“Which only takes a wedded mate
“To brand with shame, an husband’s fate.”
“Hush! hush!” criedKate, for Heav’n’s sake be“As secret as the grave—“ForLubinmeans to marry me—“And if you will not me betray,“I for your silence well will pay;“Five poundsthis moment you shall have.”—“I will haveTen!” the gypsy cries—The fearful, trembling girl complies.
“Hush! hush!” criedKate, for Heav’n’s sake be
“As secret as the grave—
“ForLubinmeans to marry me—
“And if you will not me betray,
“I for your silence well will pay;
“Five poundsthis moment you shall have.”—
“I will haveTen!” the gypsy cries—
The fearful, trembling girl complies.
But, what was her dismay, to findThatLubinwas the gypsy bold;The cunning, fortune-telling hindWho had the artful story told—Who thus, was cur’d of jealous pain,—“And got hisTEN POUNDSback again!
But, what was her dismay, to find
ThatLubinwas the gypsy bold;
The cunning, fortune-telling hind
Who had the artful story told—
Who thus, was cur’d of jealous pain,—
“And got hisTEN POUNDSback again!
Thus, Fortune pays theLoverbold!But, gentle Maids, should FateHave anysecretyet untold,—Remember,simpleKate!
Thus, Fortune pays theLoverbold!
But, gentle Maids, should Fate
Have anysecretyet untold,—
Remember,simpleKate!