The Dame resum'd-'Why then, my children, why
Do such young bosoms heave the piteous sigh?
The ills of life to you are yet unknown-
Death's severing shaft, and Poverty's cold frown:
I've felt them both, by turns ;-but as they pass'd,
Strong was my trust, and here I am at last.
When I dwelt young and cheerful down the lane
(And, though I say it, I was much like Jane),
O'er flowery fields with Hind, I lov'd to stray,
And talk, and laugh, and fool the time away:
And Care defied-who not one pain could give,
Till the thought came of how we were to live,
And then Love plied his arrows thicker still;
And prov'd victorious-as he always will.
We brav'd life's storm together; while that drone,
Your poor old uncle, Walter, liv'd alone.
He died the other day: when round his bed
No tender soothing tear Affection shed-
Affection! 'twas a plant he never knew-
Why should he feast on fruits he never grew?'
Walter caught fire: nor was he charm'd alone
With conscious truth's firm elevated tone;
Jane from her seat sprang forward, half afraid,
Attesting with a blush what Goody said.
Her Lover took a more decided part-
(O! 'twas the very chord that touch'd his heart)—
Alive to the best feelings man can prize,
A bridegroom's transport sparkled in his eyes;
Love, conquering power, with unrestricted range
Silenced the arguments of time and change;
And led his vot'ry on, and bade him view,
And prize the light-wing'd moments as they flew:
All doubts gave way, all retrospective lore,
Whence cooler reason tortur'd him before;
Comparison of times, the lab'rer's hire,
And many a truth reflection might inspire,
Sunk powerless. 'Dame, I am a fool,' he cried;
'Alone I might have reason'd till I died.
D
I caus'd those tears of Jane's--but as they fell
How much I felt none but ourselves can tell.
While dastard fears withheld me from her sight,
Sighs reign'd by day and hideous dreams by night;
'Twas then the soldier's plume and rolling drum
Seem'd for a while to strike my sorrows dumb;
To fly from care then half resolv'd I stood,
And without horror mus'd on fields of blood,
But hope prevail'd.-Be then the sword resign'd;
And I'll make shares for those that stay behind.
And you, sweet Girl,'-He would have added more,
Had not a glancing shadow at the door
Announced a guest, who bore with winning grace
His well-tim'd errand pictur'd in his face.
Around with silent reverence they stood;
A blameless reverence-the man was good.
Wealth he had some, a match for his desires,
First on the list of active Country 'Squires.
Seeing the youthful pair with downcast eyes,
Unmov'd by summer flowers and cloudless skies,
Pass slowly by his gate; his book resign'd,
He watch'd their steps and follow'd far behind,
Bearing with inward joy, and honest pride,
A trust of Walter's kinsman ere he died,
A hard-earn'd mite, deposited with care,
And with a miser's spirit worshipp'd there.
He found what oft the generous bosom seeks, In the Dame's court'seys and Jane's blushing cheeks,
That consciousness of worth, that freeborn grace, Which waits on virtue in the meanest place.
Young man, I'll not apologize to you, Nor name intrusion, for my news is true; 'Tis duty brings me here: your wants I've heard, And can relieve: yet be the dead rever'd. Here, in this purse (what should have cheer'd a wife),
Lies half the savings of your uncle's life!
I know your history, and your wishes know,
And love to see the seeds of virtue grow.
I've a spare shed that fronts the public road;
Make that your shop; I'll make it your abode.
Thus much from me-the rest is but your due;'
That instant twenty pieces sprung to view.
Goody, her dim eyes wiping, rais'd her brow, And saw the young pair look they knew not how; Perils and power while humble minds forego, Who gives them half a kingdom gives them woe; Comforts may be procur'd and want defied, Heav'ns! with how small a sum, when right applied! Give Love and honest Industry their way, Clear but the sun-rise of life's little day, Those we term poor shall oft that wealth obtain, For which th' ambitious sigh, but sigh in vain : Wealth that still brightens, as its stores increase; The calm of conscience, and the reign of peace.
Walter's enamour'd soul, from news like this, Now felt the dawnings of his future bliss; E'en as the red-breast shelt'ring in a bower, Mourns the short darkness of a passing shower, Then, while the azure sky extends around, Darts on a worm that breaks the moisten'd ground, And mounts the dripping fence, with joy elate, And shares the prize triumphant with his mate; So did the youth ;-the treasure straight became An humble servant to love's sacred flame : Glorious subjection!-Thus his silence broke: Joy gave him words; still quick'ning as he spoke.
Want was my dread, my wishes were but few, Others might doubt, but Jane those wishes knew: This gold may rid my heart of pains and sighs, But her true love is still my greatest prize. Long as I live, when this bright day comes round, Beneath my roof your noble deeds shall sound; But, first, to make my gratitude appear, I'll shoe your honour's horses for a year;
If clouds should threaten when your corn is down
I'll lend a hand, and summon half the town;
If good betide, I'll sound it in my songs,
And be the first avenger of your wrongs:
Though rude in manners, free I hope to live:
This ale's not mine, no ale have I to give;
Yet, Sir, though Fortune frown'd when I was born,
Let's drink eternal friendship from this horn.
How much our present joy to you we owe,
Soon our three bells shall let the neighbours know;
The sound shall raise e'en stooping age awhile,
And every maid shall meet you with a smile;
Long may you live'-the wish like lightning flew ;
By each repeated as the 'Squire withdrew.
Long may you live,' his feeling heart rejoin'd; Leaving well-pleas'd such happy souls behind. Hope promis'd fair to cheer them to the end, With Love their guide, and Goody for their friend.
NEAR the high road upon a winding stream
An honest Miller rose to wealth and fame :
The noblest virtues cheer'd his lengthen'd days,
And all the country echoed with his praise :
His wife, the doctress of the neighb'ring poor,
Drew constant pray'rs and blessings round his door.
One summer's night (the hour of rest was come)
Darkness unusual overspread their home;
A chilling blast was felt: the foremost cloud
Sprinkled the bubbling pool; and thunder loud,
Though distant yet, menaced the country round,
And fill'd the heavens with its solemn sound.
Who can retire to rest when tempests lour-
Nor wait the issue of the coming hour?
Meekly resign'd she sat, in anxious pain;
He fill'd his pipe, and listen'd to the rain
That batter'd furiously their strong abode,
Roar'd in the damm, and lash'd the pebbled road:
When, mingling with the storm, confus'd and wild,
They heard, or thought they heard, a screaming
[roar,
The voice approach'd; and 'midst the thunder's
Now loudly begg'd for mercy at the door.
Mercy was there: the Miller heard the call; His door he open'd; when a sudden squall Drove in a wretched Girl; who weeping stood, Whilst the cold rain dripp'd from her in a flood. With kind officiousness the tender Dame Rous'd up the dying embers to a flame;
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