The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Crabbe with his letters and journals, and his life, by his son. In eight volumes |
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| XXI. |
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 | The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Crabbe |  |
255
Three days remain'd their Friend, and then again
The Brothers left, themselves to entertain;
When spake the younger—“It would please me well
“To hear thy Spinster-friend her story tell;
“And our attention would be nobly paid
“Thus to compare the Bachelor and Maid.”
The Brothers left, themselves to entertain;
When spake the younger—“It would please me well
“To hear thy Spinster-friend her story tell;
“And our attention would be nobly paid
“Thus to compare the Bachelor and Maid.”
“Frank as she is,” replied the Squire, “nor one
“Is more disposed to show what she has done
“With time, or time with her; yet all her care
“And every trial she might not declare
“To one a stranger; but to me, her friend,
“She has the story of those trials penn'd;
“These shalt thou hear, for well the maid I know,
“And will her efforts and her conquests show.
“Jacques is abroad, and we alone shall dine,
“And then to give this lady's tale be mine;
“Thou wilt attend to this good spinster's life,
“And grieve and wonder she is not a wife;
“But if we judge by either words or looks,
“Her mode of life, her morals, or her books,
“Her pure devotion, unaffected sense,
“Her placid air, her mild benevolence,
“Her gay good humour, and her manners free,
“She is as happy as a maid can be;
“If as a wife, I know not, and decline
“Question like this, till I can judge of thine.”
“Is more disposed to show what she has done
“With time, or time with her; yet all her care
“And every trial she might not declare
“To one a stranger; but to me, her friend,
“She has the story of those trials penn'd;
“These shalt thou hear, for well the maid I know,
“And will her efforts and her conquests show.
“Jacques is abroad, and we alone shall dine,
“And then to give this lady's tale be mine;
256
“And grieve and wonder she is not a wife;
“But if we judge by either words or looks,
“Her mode of life, her morals, or her books,
“Her pure devotion, unaffected sense,
“Her placid air, her mild benevolence,
“Her gay good humour, and her manners free,
“She is as happy as a maid can be;
“If as a wife, I know not, and decline
“Question like this, till I can judge of thine.”
Then from a secret hoard drew forth the Squire
His tale, and said, “Attention I require—
“My verse you may condemn, my theme you must admire.”
His tale, and said, “Attention I require—
“My verse you may condemn, my theme you must admire.”
| The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Crabbe | |