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"If I come drest like a village maid,

I am but as my fortunes are: I am a beggar born," she said, "And not the Lady Clare."

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Play me no tricks," said Lord Ronald, "For I am yours in word and in deed. Play me no tricks," said Lord Ronald,

"Your riddle is hard to read."

O and proudly stood she up!

Her heart within her did not fail:

She look'd into Lord Ronald's eyes,

And told him all her nurse's tale.

He laugh'd a laugh of merry scorn:

He turn'd, and kiss'd her where she stood:

"If you are not the heiress born,

And I," said he, "the next in blood

"If you are not the heiress born,

And I," said he, "the lawful heir, We two will wed to-morrow morn,

And you shall still be Lady Clare."

THE LORD OF BURLEIGH.

In her ear he whispers gaily,

"If my heart by signs can tell, Maiden, I have watch'd thee daily, And I think thou lov'st me well."

She replies, in accents fainter,

"There is none I love like thee."

He is but a landscape-painter,

And a village maiden she. He to lips that fondly falter,

Presses his wi hout reproof;

Leads her to the village al ́ar,

And they leave her father's roof.

"I can make no marriage present;

Little can I give my wife.

Love will make our cottage pleasant,

And I love thee more than life."

They by parks and lodges going

See the lordly castles stand:

Summer woods, about them blowing,

Made a murmur in the land.

From deep thought himself he rouses,
Says to her that loves him well,

"Let us see these handsome houses

Where the wealthy nobles dwell."

So she goes by him attended,

Hears him lovingly converse, Sees whatever fair and splendid

Lay betwixt his home and hers;

Parks with oak and chestnut shady,
Parks and order'd gardens great,
Ancient homes of lord and lady,

Built for pleasure and for state.

All he shows her makes him dearer:

Evermore she seems to gaze

On that cottage growing nearer,

Where the twain will spend their days.

O but she will love him truly!

He shall have a cheerful home;

She will order all things duly,

When beneath his roof they come.

Thus her heart rejoices greatly,

Till a gateway she discerns

With armorial bearings stately,

And beneath the gate she turns;

Sees a mansion more majestic

Than all those she saw before;

Many a gallant gay domestic

Bows before him at the door.

And they speak in gentle murmur,
When they answer to his call,

While he treads with footsteps firmer,
Leading on from hall to hall.

And, while now she wonders blindly,

Nor the meaning can divine,

Proudly turns he round and kindly, "All of this is mine and thine."

Here he lives in state and bounty,

Lord of Burleigh, fair and free;

Not a lord in all the county

Is so great a lord as he.

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