"It smok'd, and smok'd, beneath his nose,
"The harmless blaze crept higher;
"Till with a vengeance up he rose,
"Grace, Judie, Sue! fire, fire!

"The clock struck one--some talk'd of parting,
"Some said it was a sin,
"And _kilch'd_ their chairs;--but those for starting
"Now let the moonlight in.

"_Owd_ women, loitering _for the nonce_,[Footnote: For the purpose.]
"Stood praising the fine weather;
"The menfolks took the hint at once
"To kiss them altogether.

"And out ran every soul beside,
"A _shanny-pated_[Footnote: Giddy, thoughtless.] crew;
"_Owd_ folks could neither run nor hide,
"So some _ketch'd_ one, some _tew_.

"They _skriggl'd_[Footnote: To struggle quick.] and began to scold.
"But laughing got the master;
"Some _quack'ling_[Footnote: Choaking.] cried, 'let go your hold;'
"The farmers held the faster.

"All innocent, that I'll be sworn,
"There wor'nt a bit of sorrow,
"And women, if their gowns _are_ torn,
"Can mend them on the morrow.