(These might have meaning), all that we discuss'd "We could with pleasure to a parent trust. "At length 'twas friendship-and my Friend and I "Said we were happy, and began to sigh: My Sisters first, and then my Father found, "That we were wandering o'er enchanted ground; "But he had troubles in his own affairs, "And would not bear addition to his cares: "With pity mov'd, yet angry, 'Child,' said he, "Will you embrace contempt and beggary ? "Can you endure to see each other curs'd "By want, of every human wo the worst? "Warring for ever with distress, in dread "Either of begging or of wanting bread; "While poverty, with unrelenting force, "Will your own offspring from your love divorce; "They, through your folly, must be doom'd to pine, "And you deplore your passion, or resign; "For if it die, what good will then remain? "And if it live, it doubles every pain."" But you were true,' exclaim'd the Lass, and fled 'The tyrant's power who fill'd your soul with dread?' 66 But," said the smiling Friend, "he fill'd my mouth with bread: "And in what other place that bread to gain, A smile again adorn'd the Widow's face, But soon a starting tear usurp'd its place. "Slow pass'd the heavy years, and each had more "Pains and vexations than the years before. "My Father fail'd; his family was rent, "And to new states his grieving Daughters sent; "Each to more thriving Kindred found a way, "Guests without welcome-servants without pay; "Our parting hour was grievous; still I feel "The sad, sweet converse at our final meal; "Our Father then revealed his former fears, "Cause of his sternness, and then join'd our tears; Kindly he strove our feelings to repress, "But died, and left us heirs to his distress. "The Rich, as humble friends, my Sisters chose, "I with a wealthy widow sought repose; "Who with a chilling frown her friend receiv'd, "Bade me rejoice, and wonder'd that I griev'd: "In vain my anxious lover tried his skill "To rise in life, he was dependent still; "We met in grief, nor can I paint the fears "Of these unhappy, troubled, trying years : "Our dying hopes and stronger fears between, "We felt no season peaceful or serene; "Our fleeting joys, like meteors in the night, "Shone on our gloom with inauspicious light; "Add then domestic sorrows, till the mind, "Worn with distresses, to despair inclin'd; "Add too the ill that from the passion flows, "When its contemptuous frown the world bestows, "The peevish spirit caus'd by long delay, "When being gloomy we contemn the gay, "When, being wretched, we incline to hate 'Nay,' said the Nymph, 'Joy smil'd on you at last "Smil❜d for a moment," she replied," and pass'd: 66 My Lover still the same dull means pursued, "Assistant call'd, but kept in servitude; "His spirits wearied in the prime of life, By fears and wishes in eternal strife; "At length he urg'd impatient-' Now consent; "Of joy, as transient as the joys we dream; 66 By lying hopes deceiv'd, my Friend retir'd, "And sail'd-was wounded-réach'd us-and expir'd! "You shall behold his grave, and when I die, "There!—but 'tis folly-I request to lie." 'Thus,' said the Lass, 'to joy you bade adieu! But how a widow?-that cannot be true: 'Or was it force, in some unhappy hour, That plac'd you, grieving, in a tyrant's power?" "Force, my young friend, when forty years are fled, "Is what a woman seldom has to dread; "And seldom comes a lover though she calls: "Yet mov'd by fancy, one approv'd my face, 66 Though time and tears had wrought it much disgrace. "The man I married was sedate and meek, "And spoke of Love as men in earnest speak; "Poor as I was, he ceaseless sought, for years, "A heart in sorrow and a face in tears: "That heart I gave not; and 'twas long before "I gave attention, and then nothing more; "But in my breast some grateful feeling rose "For one whose love so sad a subject chose; "Till long delaying, fearing to repent, "But grateful still, I gave a cold assent. "Thus we were wed; no fault had I to find, "There was no fondness in my bosom left; Smiling, to thank his unrequited love: "Teach me,' he cried, that pensive mind to ease, "For all my pleasure is the hope to please.' "Serene, though heavy, were the days we spent, "Yet kind each word and generous each intent; "But his dejection lessen'd every day, "And to a placid kindness died away: "In tranquil ease we pass'd our latter years, By griefs untroubled, unassail'd by fears. "Let not romantic views your bosom sway, "Yield to your duties and their call obey: 66 Fly not a Youth, frank, honest, and sincere ; "Observe his merits and his passion hear! ""Tis true no hero, but a Farmer sues"Slow in his speech, but worthy in his views; "With him you cannot that affliction prove, "That rends the bosom of the poor in love: "Health, comfort, competence, and cheerful days, "Your Friends' approval, and your Father's praise, "Will crown the deed, and you escape their fate "Who plan so wildly and are wise too late." The Damsel heard; at first th'advice was strange, Yet wrought a happy, nay a speedy change: 'I have no care,' she said when next they met, 'But one may wonder he is silent yet; 'He looks around him with his usual stare, 'And utters nothing-not that I shall care.' This pettish humour pleas'd th' experienc'd Friend-None needs despair, whose silence can offend ; 'Should I,' resum'd the thoughtful Lass, 'consent 'To hear the Man, the Man may now repent: 'Think you my sighs shall call him from the plough, Or give one hint, that " You may woo me now?" "Persist, my love," replied the Friend, "and gain "A Parent's praise, that cannot be in vain.” 1 |