58 THE FORESTERS. 



And through corn-fields we followed to his cot, 

 Their " O's !" and " Dears !" and salutations o'er, 

 The pondrous knapsacks sunk upon the floor ; 

 Seats, quickly ranged, our weary limbs invite, 

 And kind inquiries all our toils requite; 

 And while our meal a young brunette prepared, 

 The ancient father's humorous jokes we shared, 

 Though ninety years had silvered o'er his head, 

 Yet life's green vigor seemed but little fled ; 

 The burninor woods that late before us blazed, 

 His axe had levelled, and his handspike raised ; 

 None laughed m6re hearty, sung with livelier glee, 

 Or joked, or told a merrier tale than he; 

 Kind, cheerful, frank ; in youth a sailor brave, 

 u Now bound for brighter worlds beyond the grave." 

 Two favorite sons, obliging, open, mild, 

 With wild wood anecdotes the hours bejniiled ; 

 Produced their rifles, sedulous to please, 

 Described their farm, their horses, harvest, bees, 

 While a whole hive, the crowded garden's boast, 

 Crowned our repast, and spoke the generous host. 

 To Jonny'sjoke succeded William's tale, 

 Sweet Mary served with many a witching smile, 

 And thou Devotion, wert a kindred guest, 

 Of all our joys the noblest and the best ; 

 Around, convened with David's holy lays, 

 In solemn strains awoke our evening praise ; 

 The kneeling father's fervent prayers ascend, 

 " O be the strangers' comfort guide and friend ; 

 Their trust, their guardian, wheresoe'er they go, 

 To view thy greatness in thy works below; 



