"It smok'd, and smok'd, beneath his nose,
"The harmless blaze crept higher;
"Till with a vengeance up he rose,
"Grace, Judie, Sue! fire, fire!
"The clock struck one--some talk'd of parting,
"Some said it was a sin,
"And _kilch'd_ their chairs;--but those for starting
"Now let the moonlight in.
"_Owd_ women, loitering _for the nonce_,[Footnote: For the purpose.]
"Stood praising the fine weather;
"The menfolks took the hint at once
"To kiss them altogether.
"And out ran every soul beside,
"A _shanny-pated_[Footnote: Giddy, thoughtless.] crew;
"_Owd_ folks could neither run nor hide,
"So some _ketch'd_ one, some _tew_.
"They _skriggl'd_[Footnote: To struggle quick.] and began to scold.
"But laughing got the master;
"Some _quack'ling_[Footnote: Choaking.] cried, 'let go your hold;'
"The farmers held the faster.
"All innocent, that I'll be sworn,
"There wor'nt a bit of sorrow,
"And women, if their gowns _are_ torn,
"Can mend them on the morrow.
"Our shadows helter skelter danc'd
"About the moonlight ground;
"The wondering sheep, as on we pranc'd,
"Got up and gaz'd around,
"And well they might--till Farmer Chcerum,
"Now with a hearty glee,
"Bade all good morn as he came near 'em,
"And then to bed went he.
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