1826,] 
Punch and Judy. 4.07, 
The rustic damsel is full fair to view, 
Far from the town in some sweet valley bred ; 
Whose eye, like summer’s heay’n, is clear and blue, 
Whose cheeks arrayed in nature’s white and red ; 
Whom morning welcomes fresh as its own dew, 
Free as its gale that plays around her head; 
Health on her brow, and truth within her heart, 
And gaiety that knows not to depart. 
Yet lovely too, even loyelier, perchance, 
The polish, the refinement, and the grace 
Of courtlier womanhood—the speaking glance, 
The mind, the soul, which animate the face; 
The thousand added witcheries, which enhance 
Nature’s best work, yet not her charms erase ; 
The conscious elegance, th’ habitual ease, 
All beauty’s aids, which more than beauty please. 
Such aids were her’s whom Ernest now survey’d, 
As in the box she stood erect and tall ; 
While one, whose mien bespoke him of war’s trade, 
O’er her smooth marble shoulders threw a shaw! ; 
Then (’twas her father) early led the maid 
From where she shone the brightest amidst all. 
And Ernest following, reached them just before 
Their carriage yanished from the entrance-door. 
Swiftly the wheels were whirled through street and square, 
And fast did Ernest, as he might, pursue, 
Yet found it hard, in spite of speed and care, 
To keep the carriage and its lamps in view; 
Till as a street he entered, broad and fair, 
Full loudly his ill-fortune did he rue, 
For there, whatever had been, nothing was, 
Save one old watchman, and the lights of gas. 
That watchman much he questioned ; who replied, 
That but few moments back a carriage caine 
(He knew not whose), and drawing on one side, 
Stopped at some house (but which he could not name) ; 
That persons thence descending he had spied ; 
But truly could not say they were the same 
Whom Ernest sought—the carriage had been gone 
An instant, ere the youth rushed breathless on. 
Careless he spoke, and oh, ’tis hard to bear, 2 
Anxious ourselves, another’s carelessness ; 
To ask with warmth, and meet a vacant stare, 
, Or short cool answer mocking our distress. Z, 
Much, therefore, that old drone’s dull drowzy air 
Aroused our lover’s wrath, as you may guess ; 
But farther question or reproach was vain ;— 
He knew no more, and wished to doze again. 
Yet here the street was which his gem possessed, 
Although her name and house were both unknown, 
And disappointed, Ernest thought it best 
To turn him homeward— where retired, alone, 
He with his pillow wight some plan digest 
To make that fair incognita bis own. 
There doubts and troubles held him long, awake, — 
Full many a scheme to frame and to forsuke.. 
