ti THE FORESTERS. 



Obscured with mud, and drenched with soaking rain, 

 Through pools of splashing mire we drove amain ; 

 Night darkening round us; when in lucky hour, 

 Led by its light we reached a cottage door, 

 There welcomed in we blest our happy lot, 

 And all the drudgery of the day forgot. 

 A noble fire its blazing front displayed 

 Clean shelves of pewter dazzling round arrayed, 

 Where rows of ruddy apples, ranged with care, 

 With grateful fragrance filled the balmy air ; 

 Our bard (chief orator in times like these,) 

 Though frank, yet diffident, and fond to please, 

 In broken German joked with all around, 

 Told who we were, from whence, and whither bound ; 

 The cottage group a ready opening made, 

 And " welcome, friends," the little Dutchman said. 

 Well pleased, our guns and knapsacks we resigned, 

 Th' adjoining pump or running stream to find, 

 There washed our boots, and, entering took our seat, 

 Stript to the trowsers in the glowing heat. 

 The mindful matron spread her table near, 

 Smoking with meet, and filled with plenteous cheer ; 

 And, supper o'er, brought forth and handed round 

 A massy bowl with mellow apples crowned ; 

 For all our wants a mother's care exprest, 

 And pressed us oft, and picked us out the best ; 

 But Duncan smiled, and slyly seemed to seek 

 More tempting fruit in Susan's glowing cheek, 

 Where such sweet innocence and meekness lay 

 As fairly stole our pilot's heart away. 

 He tried each art the evening to prolong, 



