The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

SEAT OF THE MUSES.

VERSES

THE CHANGE OF RURAL MANNERS.

In days of yore, e'er rustic worth was flown,
When hardy yeomen were a race well known;
When wealth doth trial kept the place of they,
When farms were small, and every rent was low;
When old dock'd dibbin, taken from the cart,
Bore farmer Smack frock to the neighb'ring mart;
Who now, with choice of boots, and natty whips,
Mounts on a steed descended from Eclipse!
He then contented was with homely cheer,
The savory rather, and the sparkling beer;
Now see our farmer in his tavern sat;
Growling—he larks his quantum of green fat;
And, as he smacks his lips, he swells his note,
And swears—"This horse has not half a coat!"
The good old dame then rose at dawn of day,
And 'twixt two panniers, jogged to town her way;
Sold cheese and butter, which her hands had made,
For wear kid gloves, nor sought th' umbrella's shade;
She car'd for winds nor rains, a single fig—
Or grac'd the cart, but never saw a gig!
Then every daughter work'd in barn or dairy,
When miss was Joan, and miss Maria, Mary;
E'er scarlet cloaks, and home knit boots were spurn'd,
Or the old hose guard to a spencer turn'd.
In times like these, it was the accustom'd plan
Some lot of ground to give each labouring man:
And when the harvest of the 'Squire was o'er,
Each kind help'd on his fellow-labourer's store:
That task complete, they clubb'd the merry tale,
And harvest home resounded thro' the vale.