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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 | The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Crabbe |  |
281
I.
P.—
I left a frugal Merchant, who began
Early to thrive, and grew a wealthy man;
Retired from business with a favourite Niece,
He lived in plenty, or if not—in peace.
Their small affairs, conforming to his will,
The maiden managed with superior skill.
He had a Nephew too, a brother's child,—
But James offended, for the lad was wild:
And Patty's tender soul was vex'd to hear,
“Your Cousin James will rot in gaol, my dear;
“And now, I charge you, by no kind of gift
“Show him that folly may be help'd by thrift.”
This Patty heard, but in her generous mind
Precept so harsh could no admission find.
Early to thrive, and grew a wealthy man;
Retired from business with a favourite Niece,
He lived in plenty, or if not—in peace.
Their small affairs, conforming to his will,
The maiden managed with superior skill.
He had a Nephew too, a brother's child,—
But James offended, for the lad was wild:
And Patty's tender soul was vex'd to hear,
“Your Cousin James will rot in gaol, my dear;
“And now, I charge you, by no kind of gift
“Show him that folly may be help'd by thrift.”
This Patty heard, but in her generous mind
Precept so harsh could no admission find.
Her Cousin James, too sure in prison laid,
With strong petitions plied the gentle maid,
That she would humbly on their Uncle press
His deep repentance, and his sore distress;
How that he mourn'd in durance, night and day,
And which removed, he would for ever pray.
With strong petitions plied the gentle maid,
That she would humbly on their Uncle press
His deep repentance, and his sore distress;
282
And which removed, he would for ever pray.
“Nought will I give, his worthless life to save,”
The Uncle said; and nought in fact he gave:
But the kind maiden from her pittance took
All that she could, and gave with pitying look;
For soft compassion in her bosom reign'd,
And her heart melted when the Youth complain'd.
Of his complaints the Uncle loved to hear,
As Patty told them, shedding many a tear;
While he would wonder how the girl could pray
For a young rake, to place him in her way,
Or once admit him in his Uncle's view;
“But these,” said he, “are things that women do.”
The Uncle said; and nought in fact he gave:
But the kind maiden from her pittance took
All that she could, and gave with pitying look;
For soft compassion in her bosom reign'd,
And her heart melted when the Youth complain'd.
Of his complaints the Uncle loved to hear,
As Patty told them, shedding many a tear;
While he would wonder how the girl could pray
For a young rake, to place him in her way,
Or once admit him in his Uncle's view;
“But these,” said he, “are things that women do.”
Thus were the Cousins, young, unguarded, fond,
Bound in true friendship—so they named the bond—
Nor call'd it love—and James resolved, when free,
A most correct and frugal man to be.
He sought her prayers, but not for heavenly aid:
“Pray to my Uncle,” and she kindly pray'd—
“James will be careful,” said the Niece; “and I
“Will be as careful,” was the stern reply.
Bound in true friendship—so they named the bond—
Nor call'd it love—and James resolved, when free,
A most correct and frugal man to be.
He sought her prayers, but not for heavenly aid:
“Pray to my Uncle,” and she kindly pray'd—
“James will be careful,” said the Niece; “and I
“Will be as careful,” was the stern reply.
Thus he resisted, and I know not how
He could be soften'd—Is he kinder now?
Hard was his heart; but yet a heart of steel
May melt in dying, and dissolving feel.
He could be soften'd—Is he kinder now?
Hard was his heart; but yet a heart of steel
May melt in dying, and dissolving feel.
| The Poetical Works of the Rev. George Crabbe | |