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Ellen
appears in the Dress of a Gipsey Girl, sitting in a Wood. Now sadly
alter'd Ellen's seen, What can this transformation mean? Wishing
her poor old nurse to fret, One day she left her in a pet, And rambled
far, till near a wood At length she hesitating stood; Her cloak
it caught some gipsey's eyes, Who soon rush'd forth and seiz'd their
prize: Poor Ellen scream'd with terror wild, No friend was near
to save the child; To strip her soon they did begin, Then gave the
rags you see her in. Vainly she weeps - she there must stay, And
toil and stoop the live-long day In gathering sticks within the
wood, With many blows, but little food. The nights were cold, without
a bed, On which to rest her weary head; Poor Ellen sick and feeble
grew, Her cheeks they lost their rosy hue; At last too ill her head
to raise, Upon the cold damp ground she lays, And cruel gipseys,
in a fright, Forsook her in this wretched plight. A neat old woman
crossed the wood, To reach her cot that near it stood; Rescued the
child, I'm glad to tell, Convey'd her home and nursed her well.
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