Isabel and Mary-Ann.

In our superb Cathedral town,
There does not live, I'm sure, a man,
Whose neighbour-love exceeds my own
For Isabel and Mary-Ann.

A slender form, dark loving eyes,
How deeply tender, few can tell;
A sunny smile hearts to surprise—
Is something like fair Isabel.

page 10

With soft blue eyes, and flaxen hair,
That dropping into ringlets ran;
With gentle unassuming air
Comes lovely blooming Mary-Ann.

The public so egregious wise,
Must laugh and jeer a married man,
For looking with admiring eyes
On Isabel and Mary-Ann.

What ill is done why I am old,
Gone is one half my narrow span;
And then what harm can love untold
Do Isabel or Mary-Ann.

These scorners should their Bibles read,
And reading think how rather than
We ought to love whom God has made—
Not hate a maid or fellow-man.

Why we prefer, would take to tell
A greater and a wiser man:
Why I should admire Isabel,
Or fancy little Mary-Ann.

'Twas good old rule in Israel,
To love our neighbours all we can;
If so we ought, I must and shall
Love Isabel and Mary Ann.