When all the structures shone complete,— 13315 A FROM THE SCHOOLMISTRESS> RUSSET stole was o'er her shoulders thrown, 'Twas her own country bred the flock so fair; And sooth to say, her pupils, ranged around, Through pious awe did term it passing rare; For they in gaping wonderment abound, And think, no doubt, she been the greatest wight on ground! Albeit ne flattery did corrupt her truth, Ne pompous title did debauch her ear; Goody, good-woman, gossip, n'aunt, forsooth, Or dame, the sole additions she did hear: Yet these she challenged, these she held right dear; Ne would esteem him act as mought behove, Who should not honored eld with these revere: For never title yet so mean could prove, But there was eke a mind which did that title love. One ancient hen she took delight to feed, Into her school, begirt with chickens, came! Fragment of bread, she would collect the same; Herbs too she knew, and well of each could speak, The tufted basil, pun-provoking thyme, Fresh balm, and marygold of cheerful hue, The lowly gill that never dares to climb: And more I fain would sing, disdaining here to rhyme. Yet euphrasy may not be left unsung, That gives dim eyes to wander leagues around; And pungent radish, biting infant's tongue; And plantain ribbed, that heals the reaper's wound; And marjoram sweet, in shepherd's posie found; And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom Shall be erewhile in arid bundles bound, To lurk amid the labors of her loom, And crown her kerchiefs clean with mickle rare perfume. And here trim rosemarine, that whilom crowned A sacred shelter for its branches here, Where edged with gold its glittering skirts appear. O wassel days! O customs meet and well! Ere this was banished from its lofty sphere! Simplicity then sought this humble cell, Nor ever would she more with thane and lordling dwell. |