The dancing pair that simply sought renown,By holding out to tire each other down;The swain mistrustless of his smutted face,While secret laughter titter'd round the place;The bashful virgin's side-long looks of love,The matrons glance that would those looks reprove:These were thy charms, sweet village; sports like these,With sweet succession, taught e'en toil to please;These were thy bowers their cheerful influence shed,These were thy charms -- but all these charms are fled.

Summary

This quote reflects on the lost charms and innocence of a village that once embraced simple pleasures and joyous activities. It speaks of a dancing couple fueled by ambition rather than genuine love, a man oblivious to his dirty appearance as others mock him, and the forbidden glances exchanged between a shy maiden and a disapproving elder. These scenes of lighthearted merriment and innocent romance symbolize the village's charm and its ability to make even labor enjoyable. However, with time, these enchanting qualities have vanished, leaving the village bereft of its former allure.

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