For they scarcely left the door
Ere the clouds a deluge pour,

And they are drenched together.
Special license soon for life
Has declared them bear and wife,

But where can be his house?
Now through the backwoods dreary
He drags his dripping deary,

His poor diluted spouse.

Her ardour now has cooled,
She feels like one befooled,

As they traverse through the mire,
Till they reached a lowly shed.
‘Here, love, is our home,’ he said.

Then her cheeks turned red as fire.
The walls are dark and bare,

No furniture is there—

It looks a beastly place.
There’s but straw for a seat,
The coarsest food to eat—

No comforts can she trace.
I here would make a pause ;
T’ll tell you why— because

I fain would point a moral.
A disappointed bride
In this place might have cried,

And p’raps have picked a quarrel,
Though all the fault’s her own,
Herself to blame alone,

For having made the stroke ;

For if you close your eye
When you your cattle buy,
You'll buy pigs in a poke.

ae)

The bridegroom tries to cheer :
‘“You’re welcome, darling, here,
And all you see is mine.
T’ll make you happy yet ;
I’m sorry you got wet,
But soon the sun will shine.
I know you comforts leave,
Yet feel you will not grieve,
As they are trifles merely.’
Then anger rose, and pride,
But Love bade all subside,
For she had loved him dearly.
‘Oh, Bruin! for your sake
A sacrifice I'd make
Of all earth’s fleeting treasure ;
Now you are really mine,
Don’t think I shall repine,
Your smile’s my choicest pleasure.’
And wasn’t she bewitching,
As she said, ‘Love, where’s the kitchen ?
Come, show me o’er our dwelling.
I’ve learnt a little cooking
Since we took Beeton’s book in,
And pastry I’m up well in’
‘I will, the bear said, rising ;
And now a sight surprising—
He stripped him of his bear-skin
(That overcoat so shaggy),
And cried, ‘My dearest Maggy!
Like you I have a fair skin.
One kiss, my little ducky!
Now I’m supremely lucky
(My beard no more will tickle).