| Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829. | | | | The Pride of the Valley | | By Samuel Woodworth (1784–1842) |
| | | THE PRIDE of the valley is lovely young Ellen, | |
| Who dwells in a cottage enshrined by a thicket, | |
| Sweet peace and content are the wealth of her dwelling, | |
| And Truth is the porter that waits at the wicket. | |
| The zephyr that lingers on violet-down pinion, | 5 |
| With Spring’s blushing honors delighted to dally, | |
| Ne’er breathed on a blossom in Flora’s dominion, | |
| So lovely as Ellen, the pride of the valley. | |
| She ’s true to her Willie, and kind to her mother, | |
| Nor riches nor honors can tempt her from duty; | 10 |
| Content with her station, she sighs for no other, | |
| Though fortunes and titles have knelt to her beauty. | |
| To me her affections and promise are plighted, | |
| Our ages are equal, our tempers will tally; | |
| O moment of rapture, that sees me united | 15 |
| To lovely young Ellen, the pride of the valley. | | | | |
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