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This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index
Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1854. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... And now full two connubial years Had left behind her wedding-morn, And wedlock''s weight of hopes and fears, Of joys and sorrows she had borne; When to our home her spouse and she,--A grave divine,--a glorious dame,--In wedlock''s awful pomp, to see Their elderly relations came. Now, master bard, (in wedded pride Thus spoke to me that matron fair) You and my consort must divide Your next week''s duty, share for share. He from your pulpit here shall teach Your willing flock, and you shall hie Some sixty railway miles, and preach Where else his Sunday work would lie. Thus with my sister two days yet We two unparted may abide, And you for your reward shall get, At our expense--a railway ride. Obedient to the word I went, For mine had been a heart of stone To see Joan''s heart for Darby rent, And Darby''s heart distraught for Joan. So when the week drew near its close, The wings of steam had borne me nigh The spot where once, in brief repose, Slumber''d and dream''d my bride and I. And thus once more I came to view Those banks so bright with fruit and flower, The stately shape, the sober hue Of that majestic old Church tower. V.---The Vicarage. The Vicar''s wall is on the right As from the station home you fare, Facing a street by day and night So still, life seems extinguish''d there. Around and in it silence dwells As of a place long past its prime; Best broken by the sound of bells Which from the grand old abbey chime. Across the winding ancient street The trees, which fence the churchyard round, Almost with outstretch''d branches meet Their sisters in the vicarage ground. And, shelter''d by the latters'' shade, The modest mansion stands retired; By tenants of its master''s trade A mansion to be much desired. There, on a bracing eve of May, Did I from one-horse chais...
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