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Taylor: Hiram Hover
THE BALLAD OF HIRAM HOVER
Where the Moosatockmaguntic
Pours its waters in the Skuntic,
Met, along the forest-side,
Hiram Hover, Huldah Hyde.
She, a maiden fair and dapper,
He, a red-haired, stalwart trapper,
Hunting beaver, mink, and skunk,
In the woodlands of Squeedunk.
She, Pentucket's pensive daughter,
Walked beside the Skuntic water,
Gathering, 5n her apron wet,
Snakeroot, mint, and bouncing-bet.
'Why,' he murmured, loath to leave her,
'Gather yarbs for chills and fever,
When a lovyer, bold and true,
Only waits to gather you?'
'Go,' she answered, 'I'm not hasty;
I prefer a man more tasty:
Leastways, one to please me well
Should not have a beastly smell.'
'Haughty Huldah!' Hiram answered;
'Mind and heart alike are cancered:
Jest look here! these peltries give
Cash, wherefrom a pair may live.
'I, you think, am but a vagrant,
Trapping beasts by rio means fragrant:
Yet—I'm sure it's worth a thank—
I've a handsome sum in bank.'
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