The Maid and the Magpie An Interesting Tale Founded on Facts

Excerpt

1

At Palaiseau, there liv’d a maid,
In form and features mild;
The stings of conscience never prey’d,
On this devoted child.
She serv’d a wealthy farmer there,
An honest soul was he;
Her comforts were his only care,
And all he wish’d to see.

3

His wife was of another mould,
And prematurely smart;
Hasty, and rash, with that a scold,
Yet still a feeling heart.

One summers eve’, her labor done,
She sat in pensive plight;
Watching the clear declining sun,
With rapt’rous delight.

5

’Twas then, that Blaisot trembling came
And sitting by her side;
Ventur’d to declare his flame,
And ask her for his bride.
He told his tale of tender love,
Then on her hand he sigh’d!
Annette she blush’d, her love to prove
And with his suit complied.

7

In mutual flame, their bosoms burn,
He steals a rapt’rous kiss;
When soon old Juliannes return,
Distroy’d the lovers bliss.
By Farm-house door in wicker cage,
A Magpie hung to view;
Whose prattling tongue would oft assuage,
The melancholy few.

9

Julianne now strict orders made,
To clean up all the plate;
Annette her orders quick obey’d
And sought the outer gate.
Her Father who was sadly poor,
And wander’d heedless were;
Just at the moment reach’d the door,
In wild, and deep dispair.

11

His wretched form, she knew full well,
His voice she knew as soon;
Her feelings now what pen can tell,
She dropt both fork and spoon.
She rush’d distracted to his arms,
In extacy of joy;
Nor dreamt that scoffs and rude alarms
Would e’er her peace destroy.

13

When at this moment from his hold,
The Magpie swiftly flew;
He seiz’d the spoon: ah! wretch so bold,
And dragg’d it from their view.
Swift to the Abbey then he sped,
Borne on the buoyant air;
Nor ever thought that as he fled,
Annette his guilt would bear.
Verse

15

Look up my child and view me here,
One lost to all his clan;
My enemies, alas! are near,
To claim a wretched man.

Then on his neck the fair one fell,
A victim to dispair;
He strove her fondness to dispell,
Her grief he could not bear.

17

Just at this moment past the door,
A wretch to feelings blind;
He view’d the guest, and saw him poor,
And therefore prov’d unkind.
What wretched man is that I see
In garb so sad and torn?
A weary traveller, said she,
Who wanders here forlorn.

19

Come hither girl,——come hither lass,
Said justice with a smile;
Come cheer your spirits with a glass,
Each anxious hour beguile.
She saw his motive, knew his aim,
Her heart was elsewhere plac’d;
Her Blaisot’s form, her Blaisot’s name,
Was no where to be trac’d.

21

Just at this pause, there enter’d straight,
His worships clerk with speed;
With papers relative to fate,
Or some foul bloody deed.
Read this my child, the justice said,
And tell me what they say;
Judge what she felt; ah! luckless maid,
Now think of her dismay.
Verse

23

Her Fathers name was couple’d there,
With death and sore disgrace;
“Desertion” was his crime,—dispair
Was written in her face....