LODE'S STRATAGEM

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 35

LODE'S STRATAGEM

[Continued]

Around the Bend the Horse Was stay'd. The Maid had wild Alarms When suddenly the Stranger turn'd And clasped her in his Arms. He pissed her once, he kissed her twice. She almost died for Fear, Till all at once she recognised Her own forbidden Dear ! A Moment more of close Embrace And then he told his Plan, A plan to gain his True Love back By turning Highwayman. He took her to a little Wood Where his own Horse Was tied. And casting his Disguise away He left her there to hide, What time he fetched a Circuit round And reached the Road again. And came to where the Father lay Cursing with Might and Main. “How now. Sir Roger? Much I fear That some one's mischiefed you." And Sir Roger told how he'd been robb'd. Purse, Horse and Daughter too.

“The scurvy Knave!" the Young Man cried "If you'll accept my Aid, Til follow, be he Devil himself. And bring you back V°ur Maid." "Ah! Would you might," the Father said. So off the Young Man rides. And comes again to the little Wood Where his Beloved hides. And soon he brings her back again And eke both Horse and Purse, "Sir Roger, I've brought your Daughter here No Penny Piece the worse." And this at least I'll answer for But he was Well nigh slain "I fear the Villain has escaped. He'll never rob again." "Oh! welcome Girl," Sir Roger cried, "And you, you Rascal, too. And since you've brought her back to me I'll give her back to you"