I

I pitched my day’s leazings in Crimmercrock Lane,

To tie up my garter and jog on again,

When a dear dark-eyed gentleman passed there and said,

In a way that made all o’ me colour rose-red,

   “What do I see—

   O pretty knee!”

And he came and he tied up my garter for me.

II

’Twixt sunset and moonrise it was, I can mind:

Ah, ’tis easy to lose what we nevermore find!—

Of the dear stranger’s home, of his name, I knew nought,

But I soon knew his nature and all that it brought.

   Then bitterly

   Sobbed I that he

Should ever have tied up my garter for me!

III

Yet now I’ve beside me a fine lissom lad,

And my slip’s nigh forgot, and my days are not sad;

My own dearest joy is he, comrade, and friend,

He it is who safe-guards me, on him I depend;

   No sorrow brings he,

   And thankful I be

That his daddy once tied up my garter for me!

Note.—“Leazings” (line 1).—Bundle of gleaned corn.