University of Virginia Library

[ROBERT AND CATHARINE.]

[OMITTED] Time and mild Laws to Robert freedom gave;
And now the Man resolv'd his Cash to save,
If Cash were his; and Catharine felt delight
To see her Cousin in a decent plight;
And now, contracted, they resolved for Life
To join their Fortune to be Man and Wife.
With more than wonted Courage Catharine sought
For Robert's Pardon, and at length she brought.
Henceforth a mighty Change in him began:
He was [a] sober, saving, serious Man;
He lived to save, and had a friend to prove
What pains he took to win his Uncle's Love;
Till the old Man for Fact the Tales received,
And all that once opposed Belief believed.
The Nephew now increased his humble Store,
And saved as fondly as he spent before;
Yet would he purchase [savoury] things and sweet
That his dear Uncle would vouchsafe to eat.
“Some seaman gave them”—that was what he told,
And not that some confectioner had sold.
No doubt the fact had caused his Uncle pain,
And he perhaps had sold the Sweets again.
But he was grateful, and began to speak
Of Women harshly: they were vain and weak,
Not skill'd to manage in the great Concern
Of saving Cash, and not disposed to learn.
This Catharine heard not or, if aught she heard,
Of Man's superior Mind she nothing feared;
But to her Uncle paid the Service due,
Nor thought of Giving, but was kind and true.
She now conceived their wish they might declare,
But Robert dared not, begg'd her not to dare!
She saw their dear good Kinsman every day
Wasting in Flesh, and soon must waste away;
And then would all be Well! well paid for their Delay!
She, gentle Girl, though loth, yet acquiesc'd;
It pleased her Cousin, and it might be best.
Yet, as he often came and talk'd at Ease,
She judged it right; but, “Cousin, as you please!”
And now between them and their Wishes rose
The old Man's Life—that only—to oppose
The purposed Union; and that Bar between
Was now removed, as we remove a Screen
From what we would not see, or would should not be seen.
Death was announced; and buried was the Dead,
Relations summon'd, and the Will was read—
Brief but yet clear—Some trifles to some few;
To the dear Niece—in fact, a Trifle too. [OMITTED]
Look at that Cottage and its only door:
'Tis poor without, within exceeding poor.
Now cast your Eye to yonder splendid scene;
Contrasted see the Prospects proud and mean!
In that proud Seat dwells Robert; in yon Cot;
Catharine sits, knitting.—Such the Cousins' lot.