THE WELL OF ST. KEYNE, In Cornwall.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 43, 30 May 1844, Page 4

THE WELL OF ST. KEYNE, In Cornwall.

A Well there fs in the West country, _ And a clearer one never was seen ; jfhere is not a wife in the West country, “ 3#* heard of the well of St, Keyneoak and an elm tree stand behind, „\._jAnd beside does an ash tree grow, '“'’And a willow from the bank above, Droops to the water below. A trav’ller came to the well of St. Keyne Pleasaot it was to bis eye ; Tot from oock-crow he bad been travelling, And there was not a cloud in the sky. Be drank of the water so cool and clear, For thirsty and hot was he ; And be sat down upon the bank. Under the willow tree, There came a man from the neighbouring town At the well to fill his pail; On the..well” side he rested it, And' &ad the stranger hail. l&w art thou a bachelor, stranger?” quoth he, ** For an* if thou hast a wife, The happiest draught thou hast drank this day, That ever thou didst in thy life .• Or has your good woman, if one you have, - In Cornwall ever been ? for an’ if she have, l'll venture my life, She has drank of the well of St. Keyne." ** I have left a good woman who never was here," The stranger he made reply ; “ But that my draught should be better for that, I pray you answer me why?" “St. Keyne,’'q u oth the countryman, “ many I a time J Drank of this crystal well, And before the angel summoned her, She laid on the water a spell. ** If the husband of this gifted well Shall drink before his wife, A happy man thenceforth is he, For he shall be master for life; ** But if the wife should drink of it first, God help the husband then !** Tlie stranger atoopt to the well of St. Keyne, And he drank of the waters again. * You drank of the well, I warrant, betimes !’» He to the countryman said ; But the countryman smil'd as the stra D ger spoke, sheepishly shook his head; I hasten,d as soon as the Wedding was done, And left my wife in the porch, Uutl’faith she had been wiser than me For she took a bottle to church.