The Adopted Daughter.

But now, as from a dream, his Reason sprung,

And heartiest greetings dwelt upon his tongue;

The sounding Kitchen floor at once receiv'd

The happy group, with all their fears reliev'd:

‘ Soldier,’ he cried,‘ you've found your Girl;‘ tis true:

But suffer me to be a Father too;

For, never Child that blest a Parent's knee,

Could show more duty than she has to met

Strangely she came; Affliction chas'd her hard:

I pitied her;— and this is my reward!

Here sit you down; recount your perils o'er:

Henceforth be this your home; and grieve no more:

Plenty hath shower'd her dewdrops on my head;

Care visits not my Table, nor my Bed.

My heart's warm wishes thus then I fulfill:—

My Dame and I can live without the Mill:

George, take the whole; I'll near you still remain

To guide your judgment in the choice of Grain: