Читать книгу The Pedestrian's Guide through North Wales. A tour performed in 1837 онлайн

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“But who can rule the uncertain chance of war?”

The period of detention had nearly arrived;—half a minute more, and Mary would be victorious—her vengeance complete—and Roger quite undone!—when lo! the tortured animal leaped suddenly from the wicket—and Mary, wretched Mary!—fell upon her brawny back, with the cow’s tail extended in her hands!—’Twas all the spoil her valiant attempt had left her!—Twisting and capering, the beast was seen speeding its way to Roger’s well known home;—and

“Thus was she (poor Molly)!

Of cow, of virtue, everything, bereft.”

It was rumoured that foul play had been committed by Roger’s brothers; and that a stick, with a sharp instrument at the end of it, had caused the catastrophe;—but, as there was no means of ascertaining the fact, the affair dropped.

A rustic bard, who had been hospitably received in Mary’s dwelling, presented to her the following Lament, which he composed, in gratitude, for her consolation.

LAMENT.

Oh mournful day! oh mournful day!

Base Roger’s cow has run away,