National Gazette

THE FAIR BUCKLE THIEF.
[A true Story.]

Country girl, from Flushing's coast,
Of three miles round the pride and boast,
To market came with early fruit,
Apples that might the townsmen suit,
With cabbage-head, and parsnip root.
With hat of straw and home-spun gown,
(Her Sunday suit) she came to town
To see, and walk the city through,
With leather strings in leather shoe,
But sighing much for buckles new,
Six hours, and more, she patient stood
And traded off whate'er she could;
But cash was scarce, and times were hard,
Her apples met with small regard,
She did not get her due reward.
Her cash received—alas! how small—
With pensive heart she left the stall—
Looked at her shoes, and cursed the strings,
Like mother Eve (as Milton sings)
Impatient for forbidden things.
Arrived, at length, before a shop,
Some glittering gew-gaws made her stop—
There buckles hung, of various size,
The diamonds dazzled on her eyes;
And, pray, why mayn't she seize the prize?
The shopman absent from his door,
She seized the buckles from his store,
And off she walked, an easy gait,
With lightsome step, and look sedate,
Things purchased at so cheap a rate!—
But Argus, with his hundred eyes,
Missing his buckles, in surprise,
The fair retreating nymph attacked,
The buckles from the bag unpacked,
And quickly made her own the fact.
Now (cried a merchant) honest Joe
Come, take a kiss and let her go.
"Not I—(the surly Shopman said)—
To jail must go this country jade—
The debt to justice must be paid."
How can you have so hard a heart?
Come, let this country girl depart—
Like Adam's wife, she went astray;
Her daughters all will have their way;
Men must not steal, but women may
Lost was this logic on his ears,
And vain were Blouzelinda's tears—
And go she must—and go she must!
But, if 'twas said the laws were just,
Their mercy she was loth to trust.
Conducted to a junior 'squire
(Whom all the neighboring girls admire)
He asked her, "What she had to say
Why justice should not have its way
On nymphs by buckles led astray?"
"Alas (she cried) I cannot utter
A word—my soul's such a flutter—
While you my mittimus prepare
Pray, let me take a moment's air;
These summer heats require some shade,
And nature, sir, must be obeyed"—
So, stealing back, as fairies do,
(The 'squire too modest to pursue)
Without a fall,
She scaled the wall,
And left his worship reading Law!

May 30.