And something left for melting Charity; Tho' lux'ry loaded not their frugal board, Content and polish'd manners round it smil'd: And lisping numbers flow'd of poesy sweet: For he was skill'd to touch the warbling lyre, 25 30 35 An orphan child was she, and the same hands That sow'd with virtues bland their WILLIAM's mind, Foster'd with pious care her tender years. In the same cradle rock'd, the infant pair Together grew; the same their playful sports; Their wishes, their affections were the same: As tho' one kindred soul inspir'd them both. 40 He felt the wish for wealth-but not the thirst; 50 His parents' eve of life he hop❜d to cheer, To be the prop round which their age might twine: "And MARY, too"-he often sighing said, "I would transplant thee to a kindlier soil; "Oh! is it fit that beauty fair as thine, "And virtue, such as might amend a world, "Should waste their sweetness in the secret shade." Perhaps Ambition touch'd his youthful heart;. As day from night-might whisper in his ear His peaceful home he left for Indian climes; To earn a competence was all his wish; But firm resolving in his manly mind, Rather in poverty to seek his home, Than stain his hands with base extortion: "The brighest gem Golconda e'er produc'd, 55 60 65 3 "By the hard hand of bloody Rapine grasp❜d, "Contracts a stain as foul as hell itself! "Which art can ne'er remove or foil disguise: "Far! far from me such wealth"-he oft would say, "For not, O MARY! ev'n thy bosom soft "Could lull to sweet repose the guilty soul." 70 But tho' imagination may conceive, No words can paint, alas! the parting pangs Those faithful lovers felt-and only those 75 Can feel, whose hearts are touch'd with love like theirs. To the high beacon hill she clim'd, and view'd The lessening bark that bore him far away, Till hazy distance and her tearful eye Denied all further sight-then homeward trod, 80 With heavy heart, her melancholy way, And oft for seven long years she climb❜d the hill, Mark'd on th' horizon's verge with many a sigh, The spot where last his fading sail she view'd: 90 Or watch'd the barks that homeward steer'd their course Which HOPE oft whisper'd, might some letter bear From WILLIAM's hand-nor all delusive prov'd, For oft his well-known seal (two billing doves) Receiv'd, unconscious of the bliss, from lips, At length the tidings came that toward home 95 He soon would bend his course; if not with wealth 100 C |