 | New Poems by George Crabbe |  |
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Hester
I would not plead the Cause of Shame,
Confounding Good and Ill,
For Virtue dearly earns her fame
And let her keep it still;
But let her Friends some Pity feel,
For her repenting Foes;
Their Crimes forgive, their Sufferings heal,
And listen to their Woes.
Confounding Good and Ill,
For Virtue dearly earns her fame
And let her keep it still;
But let her Friends some Pity feel,
For her repenting Foes;
Their Crimes forgive, their Sufferings heal,
And listen to their Woes.
Throughout the fiercest Summer Day,
Through Winter cold & keen,
Was Hester in her wonted Way,
And constant Habit seen,
An humble Vagrant in her Round
By various Fortune tried;
Thankful for every Good she found,
And patient if denied.
Through Winter cold & keen,
Was Hester in her wonted Way,
And constant Habit seen,
An humble Vagrant in her Round
By various Fortune tried;
Thankful for every Good she found,
And patient if denied.
'Twas when she reached a lordly Hall,
She found a Place of Rest,
There she obeyed the friendly Call
And was a chearful Guest;
She found a Place of Rest,
There she obeyed the friendly Call
And was a chearful Guest;
For there she saw an ample fire
In ceaseless Splendour glow,
The Flagon fitted to inspire
The Spirits dull and slow,
With all that Age and Care require
Or Plenty can bestow.
In ceaseless Splendour glow,
The Flagon fitted to inspire
The Spirits dull and slow,
With all that Age and Care require
Or Plenty can bestow.
One Day the wild and wintry Sleet
Flew freezing through the Air,
When Hester reached the favorite Seat
And blest the Bounty there.
While all without was dread & Dearth,
And mournful every Sound,
Huge Logs laid blazing on the Hearth,
And Maidens sang around.
Flew freezing through the Air,
When Hester reached the favorite Seat
And blest the Bounty there.
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And mournful every Sound,
Huge Logs laid blazing on the Hearth,
And Maidens sang around.
“Come, Hester, tell us who thou art,”
The merry Damsels cried,
“Did ever Swain possess that Heart
“Or saw thee blush, a Bride?
“Or hast thou laught at Cupid's Dart
“And all his Skill defied?—
“Come now, the Men are all Apart,
“Thy Tale in us confide.”
The merry Damsels cried,
“Did ever Swain possess that Heart
“Or saw thee blush, a Bride?
“Or hast thou laught at Cupid's Dart
“And all his Skill defied?—
“Come now, the Men are all Apart,
“Thy Tale in us confide.”
“Then shut the Door and I will give
“The Story you request,
“Let me, dear Girls, your Warning live,
“Although I live your Jest;
“Still may you laugh at Care and me,
“And when you shall approve
“A gay and handsome Lad, may he
“Not laugh at you and Love.
“The Story you request,
“Let me, dear Girls, your Warning live,
“Although I live your Jest;
“Still may you laugh at Care and me,
“And when you shall approve
“A gay and handsome Lad, may he
“Not laugh at you and Love.
“Will you believe, when you survey
“This Sorrow-stricken Face,
“That there the Loves were wont to play
“With every sportive Grace,
“Till Folly drove them all Away
“And Grief usurped their place?
“This Sorrow-stricken Face,
“That there the Loves were wont to play
“With every sportive Grace,
“Till Folly drove them all Away
“And Grief usurped their place?
“And now you see this Garb that hides
“A Vagrant old and lame,
“You well may doubt the costly Pride
“That florished on this Frame,
“The splendid Trappings Wealth supplied
“To soothe resisting Shame.
“A Vagrant old and lame,
“You well may doubt the costly Pride
“That florished on this Frame,
“The splendid Trappings Wealth supplied
“To soothe resisting Shame.
“Upon an heathy Mountain stood
“My Father's decent Shed;
“Beneath, a deep and winding flood
“Ran softly in its Bed,
“A Wide and venerable Wood,
“Behind was proudly spread.
“My Father's decent Shed;
“Beneath, a deep and winding flood
“Ran softly in its Bed,
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“Behind was proudly spread.
“A Castle, frowning to the North,
“A youthful peer possessed,
“Who loved, of all his various Worth,
“His Hounds and Horses best:
“And when he took that princely Sport,
“Which he so keenly sought,
“He cared not what was done at Court,
“Nor what at Home was thought.
“A youthful peer possessed,
“Who loved, of all his various Worth,
“His Hounds and Horses best:
“And when he took that princely Sport,
“Which he so keenly sought,
“He cared not what was done at Court,
“Nor what at Home was thought.
“My Father's Duty was to chace
“The Poacher from his Prey,
“The Robber's timid Step to trace,
“And watch him on his Way;
“Both kind and just, He took his time
“All Cruelty to shun,
“He rather would prevent a Crime
“Than punish it when done.
“The Poacher from his Prey,
“The Robber's timid Step to trace,
“And watch him on his Way;
“Both kind and just, He took his time
“All Cruelty to shun,
“He rather would prevent a Crime
“Than punish it when done.
“And when with Over-wearied Powers
“He sought his Home for Rest,
“'Twas my Delight to soothe these hours,
“And his to see me blest.—
“He sought his Home for Rest,
“'Twas my Delight to soothe these hours,
“And his to see me blest.—
“I then was innocent and fair,
“And fearful as the Hind,
“Who, frightened, rushes from the Lair,
“And startles at the Wind;
“Who looks with wild and timid Air,
“And trembles at Mankind.
“And fearful as the Hind,
“Who, frightened, rushes from the Lair,
“And startles at the Wind;
“Who looks with wild and timid Air,
“And trembles at Mankind.
“Oft gazed I at that Castle's Walls,
“A proud and gorgeous Sight,
“While Fancy ran through Bowers & Halls
“In fearful, fond Delight:
“She saw within that noble Place
“What lovely Beings live,
“And gave to some the glow & and Grace
“That Nature would not give.
“It was a lively waking Dream
“As ever Maiden moved;
“To think how gay, how blest they seemed,
“And how they lived and loved.
“A proud and gorgeous Sight,
“While Fancy ran through Bowers & Halls
“In fearful, fond Delight:
“She saw within that noble Place
“What lovely Beings live,
“And gave to some the glow & and Grace
“That Nature would not give.
“It was a lively waking Dream
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“To think how gay, how blest they seemed,
“And how they lived and loved.
“There was a Lad who loved me well,
“A Shepherd down the Dale,
“Who with the Tale that Shepherds tell
“Told yet another Tale.
“‘I love’, he said, ‘my blooming Maid.’
“Right gentle was his Voice,
“It made me joyful, yet afraid
“'Twas dangerous to rejoice.
“But who would leave so kind a Lad,
“So sweet an Home as mine,
“With all that's costly to be clad,
“With all that's proud to shine?
“A Shepherd down the Dale,
“Who with the Tale that Shepherds tell
“Told yet another Tale.
“‘I love’, he said, ‘my blooming Maid.’
“Right gentle was his Voice,
“It made me joyful, yet afraid
“'Twas dangerous to rejoice.
“But who would leave so kind a Lad,
“So sweet an Home as mine,
“With all that's costly to be clad,
“With all that's proud to shine?
“When first I knew a thought so ill,
“I trembled as it came;
“I wept, and said: ‘'Tis not my Will.’
“And yet it was my Shame.
“I trembled as it came;
“I wept, and said: ‘'Tis not my Will.’
“And yet it was my Shame.
“Alas, when oft returns the Thought,
“There is a Cause of doubt
“That, if the Tempter be not sought,
“He's not with Care shut out.
“There is a Cause of doubt
“That, if the Tempter be not sought,
“He's not with Care shut out.
“Trembling, at first we look at Vice
“To dread her and dispise,
“But when we view her Aspect twice,
“With our Contempt arise
“Some curious thoughts, and looking thrice,
“The Guardian Terror flies.
“To dread her and dispise,
“But when we view her Aspect twice,
“With our Contempt arise
“Some curious thoughts, and looking thrice,
“The Guardian Terror flies.
“Till often venturing on the View
“(Our Apprehendsion gone),
“A Train of Pleasures ever new
“Comes sweetly smiling on.
“Still, as we gaze, they bolder grow
“And fresh Enchantment bring,
“Till we relent and long to know,
“From whence such Wonders spring.
“(Our Apprehendsion gone),
“A Train of Pleasures ever new
“Comes sweetly smiling on.
“Still, as we gaze, they bolder grow
“And fresh Enchantment bring,
“Till we relent and long to know,
“From whence such Wonders spring.
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“A Countess at the Castle reigned,
“The Mother of my Lord,
“She saw me from her Coach and deigned
“To speak the noble Word:
“‘Say who art thou, my rosy Maid?’,
“‘I'm Hester of the Hill’,
“‘Then come and dwell with me’, she said,
“‘We'll raise thee higher still.
“‘About my Person thou shalt be,
“‘For rustic though thou art,
“‘Thy speaking Eye is Proof to me,
“‘That Glory swells thy Heart.’
“The Mother of my Lord,
“She saw me from her Coach and deigned
“To speak the noble Word:
“‘Say who art thou, my rosy Maid?’,
“‘I'm Hester of the Hill’,
“‘Then come and dwell with me’, she said,
“‘We'll raise thee higher still.
“‘About my Person thou shalt be,
“‘For rustic though thou art,
“‘Thy speaking Eye is Proof to me,
“‘That Glory swells thy Heart.’
“I will not speak my Father's Fears,
“When first my Home I fled,
“Nor tell how many tender Tears,
“Our mutual Sorrows shed;
“But could I all our Grief express,
“I never could relate,
“My anxious Lover's fond Distress,
“Prophetic of my Fate.
“When first my Home I fled,
“Nor tell how many tender Tears,
“Our mutual Sorrows shed;
“But could I all our Grief express,
“I never could relate,
“My anxious Lover's fond Distress,
“Prophetic of my Fate.
“Yet ‘Hear me, William’, oft I cried,
“‘Be sure my heart is true;
“‘If I could be the Baron's Bride,
“‘I'd not be false to you;
“‘If I be by your Rivals tried,
“‘In vain shall they persue;
“‘Then fear me not, be satisfied,
“‘And calmly say Adieu.’
“‘Be sure my heart is true;
“‘If I could be the Baron's Bride,
“‘I'd not be false to you;
“‘If I be by your Rivals tried,
“‘In vain shall they persue;
“‘Then fear me not, be satisfied,
“‘And calmly say Adieu.’
“I went and seeing, hated All,
“The people and the place.
“The Manners of the Servants' Hall,
“Were profligate and base,
“The Women, I could justly call
“A vain, a forward Race,
“Who never seemed to think a Fall
“From Decency, Disgrace.
“The people and the place.
“The Manners of the Servants' Hall,
“Were profligate and base,
“The Women, I could justly call
“A vain, a forward Race,
“Who never seemed to think a Fall
“From Decency, Disgrace.
“The Men indeed were trim and smart,
“And civil in their Way,
“But all were profligate at heart,
“And insolently gay;
“Then O! what Freedoms did they take,
“Which I must not describe,
“And when I trembled for their sake,
“How laught the wanton Tribe.
“And civil in their Way,
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“And insolently gay;
“Then O! what Freedoms did they take,
“Which I must not describe,
“And when I trembled for their sake,
“How laught the wanton Tribe.
“‘O! let me to my Home’, I cried,
“‘My Father needs my Aid.’
“‘We want you here’, they all replied,
“And mocked me as I prayed;
“‘Your manners all offend my Mind.’,
“‘We'll teach you to approve.’;
“‘Disgust for all around I find.’
“‘Then stay and learn to love.’
“‘My Father needs my Aid.’
“‘We want you here’, they all replied,
“And mocked me as I prayed;
“‘Your manners all offend my Mind.’,
“‘We'll teach you to approve.’;
“‘Disgust for all around I find.’
“‘Then stay and learn to love.’
“Thus was I like the tender Boy,
“Compelled at School to stay,
“Where all his Fellows' noisy Joy
“Increases his Dismay;
“He never dreams the Time will come
“When he will join their Play,
“Forget his dear, his pleasant Home,
“And be as loud as they.
“Compelled at School to stay,
“Where all his Fellows' noisy Joy
“Increases his Dismay;
“He never dreams the Time will come
“When he will join their Play,
“Forget his dear, his pleasant Home,
“And be as loud as they.
“But rather counts with anxious Mind
“The Days of his distress,
“And wonders, as he counts, to find
“His Sorrows growing Less;
“He then begins to hide the Tears,
“His bolder Friends reprove,
“While Pleasures, suited to his Years,
“His yielding Spirit move;
“Till like his Fellows he appears,
“And shares the Sports they love.
“The Days of his distress,
“And wonders, as he counts, to find
“His Sorrows growing Less;
“He then begins to hide the Tears,
“His bolder Friends reprove,
“While Pleasures, suited to his Years,
“His yielding Spirit move;
“Till like his Fellows he appears,
“And shares the Sports they love.
“Thus in my Mind there daily grew
“A Shame in judging right;
“No more the peaceful, pure & true
“Were precious in my Sight,
“At length I could with Patience View
“The gay, the vain Delight,
“And What I dreaded to persue,
“Would yet the wish excite.
“A Shame in judging right;
“No more the peaceful, pure & true
“Were precious in my Sight,
“At length I could with Patience View
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“And What I dreaded to persue,
“Would yet the wish excite.
“Nor yet the Master-Foe drew near,
“Who was my Soul to win,
“My humble Lover yet was dear,
“And Change I held a Sin,
“But still the customs of the Day,
“The Song, the Dance, the Jest,
“Put half my prudent Thoughts away
“And weakened all the rest.
“Who was my Soul to win,
“My humble Lover yet was dear,
“And Change I held a Sin,
“But still the customs of the Day,
“The Song, the Dance, the Jest,
“Put half my prudent Thoughts away
“And weakened all the rest.
“My Father saw the growing Ill,
“And often said: ‘Beware’,
“But ah! I felt the Fowler's Skill
“And fluttered in the Snare:
“The best Advice was lent too late,
“The Heart was gone astray,
“It led me to bewail my Fate,
“But not to find my Way.
“And often said: ‘Beware’,
“But ah! I felt the Fowler's Skill
“And fluttered in the Snare:
“The best Advice was lent too late,
“The Heart was gone astray,
“It led me to bewail my Fate,
“But not to find my Way.
“My Lover, too, presumed to teach,
“And angry Words he chose,
“But still the more I felt his speech,
“The more my Spirit rose,
“‘Thou hast not yet an husband's Right,
“‘Nor is it now thy Time
“‘To bar my innocent Delight
““Or call my Joy my Crime.’
“And angry Words he chose,
“But still the more I felt his speech,
“The more my Spirit rose,
“‘Thou hast not yet an husband's Right,
“‘Nor is it now thy Time
“‘To bar my innocent Delight
““Or call my Joy my Crime.’
“He urged me when the Countess died:
“‘Come now, my Love, Away.’
“I tried, but ah! reluctant tried,
“And feigned and forced Delay:
“There tempted me on every Side
“The kind, the free, the gay,
“And One whom, though I yet denied,
“I feared I must obey.
“‘Come now, my Love, Away.’
“I tried, but ah! reluctant tried,
“And feigned and forced Delay:
“There tempted me on every Side
“The kind, the free, the gay,
“And One whom, though I yet denied,
“I feared I must obey.
“I know we love to give at length
“The Causes of our Fall,
“To paint the Passions in their Strength
“And show our Reasons all:
“But let me undisguised confess
“The Weakness of my Mind,
“And only plead his fond Address,
“Who won me to be kind.
“The Causes of our Fall,
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“And show our Reasons all:
“But let me undisguised confess
“The Weakness of my Mind,
“And only plead his fond Address,
“Who won me to be kind.
“I sometimes met my Shepherd Boy
“At Evening on the Lea,
“Who jealous in his frantic Joy
“Or sullen Grief would be—
“Nor was he like a lively Lad,
“Drest ever trim and gay,
“His meagre Frame was poorly clad,
“For little was his pay.
“The jealous humours that he had
“He fear'd not to display,
“And when he sighed till I was sad,
“He whirled himself Away.
“At Evening on the Lea,
“Who jealous in his frantic Joy
“Or sullen Grief would be—
“Nor was he like a lively Lad,
“Drest ever trim and gay,
“His meagre Frame was poorly clad,
“For little was his pay.
“The jealous humours that he had
“He fear'd not to display,
“And when he sighed till I was sad,
“He whirled himself Away.
“My Lord was youthful, handsome, tall,
“In dress a very King,
“And when he clasped my Waste so small,
“How jocund would he sing,
“What Names he would his Hester call,
“What Presents would he bring,
“All richly wrought, delicious all,
“And smelling like the spring.
“In dress a very King,
“And when he clasped my Waste so small,
“How jocund would he sing,
“What Names he would his Hester call,
“What Presents would he bring,
“All richly wrought, delicious all,
“And smelling like the spring.
“Nor was he jealous, though he knew
“I met a favourite Youth,
“But promised him his Favour, too,
“And trusted to my Truth;
“He gave my Father noble Praise,
“And bade me choose his Place,
“And promised me the power to raise
“The poorest of my Race.
“I met a favourite Youth,
“But promised him his Favour, too,
“And trusted to my Truth;
“He gave my Father noble Praise,
“And bade me choose his Place,
“And promised me the power to raise
“The poorest of my Race.
“How soon succeeded all my Crime—
“Ah! never may you know
“To what strange height in little Time
“Our evil Passions grow:
“As soon as we begin to fear,
“And pause upon our Fate,
“The Tempter draws unheeded near
“And closes the Debate.
“Ah! never may you know
“To what strange height in little Time
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“As soon as we begin to fear,
“And pause upon our Fate,
“The Tempter draws unheeded near
“And closes the Debate.
“No more a Servant, I had now
“The Castle at command;
“My Lord himself would humbly bow,
“And, smiling, kiss my Hand,
“His Friends were happy to obey
“A Nymph so fair and kind,
“Except the Priest, who came to pray,
“And he was growing blind.
“The Castle at command;
“My Lord himself would humbly bow,
“And, smiling, kiss my Hand,
“His Friends were happy to obey
“A Nymph so fair and kind,
“Except the Priest, who came to pray,
“And he was growing blind.
“I sought my Father now to please,
“And shew a duteous part,
“I sought my Shepherd's Life to ease,
“Though not to ease his heart;
“I sent with Speed to call them both,
“My Love and power to show,
“But flying, they had sworn an Oath
“Nor Power nor Love to know.
“And shew a duteous part,
“I sought my Shepherd's Life to ease,
“Though not to ease his heart;
“I sent with Speed to call them both,
“My Love and power to show,
“But flying, they had sworn an Oath
“Nor Power nor Love to know.
“That never would they see again
“The Home they loved so well,
“But, trusting to the tretcherous Main,
“In Deaths and Dangers dwell;
“And true they swore, they fought, they bled,
“The Tidings came to land,
“And many a Night beside my bed,
“I saw the Spectres stand.
“The Home they loved so well,
“But, trusting to the tretcherous Main,
“In Deaths and Dangers dwell;
“And true they swore, they fought, they bled,
“The Tidings came to land,
“And many a Night beside my bed,
“I saw the Spectres stand.
“I felt the Grief, and for a time
“Apart, in Sorrow, dwelt,
“I felt the Curses of my Crime,
“And trembled as I felt;
“But Prudence whisper'd me the fear,
“And taught me to reflect,
“That Beauty, to my Lord so dear,
“'Twas dangerous to neglect.
“Apart, in Sorrow, dwelt,
“I felt the Curses of my Crime,
“And trembled as I felt;
“But Prudence whisper'd me the fear,
“And taught me to reflect,
“That Beauty, to my Lord so dear,
“'Twas dangerous to neglect.
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“Then every day with something new
“He bade my Grief retire,
“I'd ever Pleasures to persue
“And Treasures to admire.
“These all possesst such magic Power,
“And all came on so fast,
“That Prudence never found an Hour
“To question,—‘Will they last?’
“He bade my Grief retire,
“I'd ever Pleasures to persue
“And Treasures to admire.
“These all possesst such magic Power,
“And all came on so fast,
“That Prudence never found an Hour
“To question,—‘Will they last?’
“If Ever thought my Conscience led
“My Conduct to condemn,
“I looked among my Friends and read
“Approving Looks in them;
“With us were gentle Pairs whom Law
“Had linked in Wedded Love,
“These all our pleasant Errors saw,
“But cared not to reprove.
“My Conduct to condemn,
“I looked among my Friends and read
“Approving Looks in them;
“With us were gentle Pairs whom Law
“Had linked in Wedded Love,
“These all our pleasant Errors saw,
“But cared not to reprove.
“‘A King’, they said, ‘his Nymphs may gain,
“‘And to his Court may bring,
“‘And sure my Lord in his Domain
“‘Is great as any King.’
“All through the Village, as I went,
“I saw Respect profound;
“No croaking Voice proclaimed: ‘Repent!’
“In all the Country round;
“I freely gave, I largely spent,
“And was with Honour crowned.
“‘And to his Court may bring,
“‘And sure my Lord in his Domain
“‘Is great as any King.’
“All through the Village, as I went,
“I saw Respect profound;
“No croaking Voice proclaimed: ‘Repent!’
“In all the Country round;
“I freely gave, I largely spent,
“And was with Honour crowned.
“There was a poet, and his fame
“Was at the Castle known,
“He surely ought to share my Shame,
“Who never felt his own,
“He oftimes said in Flattery base
“(his poor and venal part)
“On Earth was not so fair a face,
“Nor yet so pure an heart.
“Was at the Castle known,
“He surely ought to share my Shame,
“Who never felt his own,
“He oftimes said in Flattery base
“(his poor and venal part)
“On Earth was not so fair a face,
“Nor yet so pure an heart.
“You smile, and so did I, but mine
“Were smiles that round me shed,
“So vowed my Guests, a Light divine,
“Ah! Light how quickly fled—
“One Night my Lord, inflam'd with Wine,
“Laid feverish on his bed,
“Another saw our Hopes decline;
“A third, and Hope was dead.
“Were smiles that round me shed,
“So vowed my Guests, a Light divine,
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“One Night my Lord, inflam'd with Wine,
“Laid feverish on his bed,
“Another saw our Hopes decline;
“A third, and Hope was dead.
“And now I soon began to learn
“How well those wedded Pairs,
“Could at convenient time discern
“Between my State & theirs.
“They spake not once of Crime, but oft
“Of generous Passions told,
“And Hearts were praised for being soft,
“And odious were the cold;
“But now they sternly bad me think
“What Wantons ought to do—
“And hinted, ‘Who at Guilt will wink,
“‘Will be partaker, too.’
“How well those wedded Pairs,
“Could at convenient time discern
“Between my State & theirs.
“They spake not once of Crime, but oft
“Of generous Passions told,
“And Hearts were praised for being soft,
“And odious were the cold;
“But now they sternly bad me think
“What Wantons ought to do—
“And hinted, ‘Who at Guilt will wink,
“‘Will be partaker, too.’
“These Virtuous from me sternly stript
“The Baubles Passion lent,
“Then from her Seat the Harlot whipt,
“Nor woo'd her to repent;
“But Vice received with open Arms
“Her long expected Prey,
“And flattered all the fatal Charms,
“That could for Flattery pay.
“The Baubles Passion lent,
“Then from her Seat the Harlot whipt,
“Nor woo'd her to repent;
“But Vice received with open Arms
“Her long expected Prey,
“And flattered all the fatal Charms,
“That could for Flattery pay.
“The Idol of the Day I grew,
“Whom Folly hailed divine,
“And Vot'ries, to their Worship true,
“Hung Riches on my Shrine.
“These, when the giddy Crowd forsook
“The Pageant Fashion made,
“The Priestess of the Temple took,
“The Profits of her Trade.
“Whom Folly hailed divine,
“And Vot'ries, to their Worship true,
“Hung Riches on my Shrine.
“These, when the giddy Crowd forsook
“The Pageant Fashion made,
“The Priestess of the Temple took,
“The Profits of her Trade.
“Then first I felt the odious Task
“My roving Prey to chace,
“The Terrors of my Mind to mask,
“And mend a fading Face;
“Then first with the seducing Cup
“I tried to steel my Breast,
“To keep expiring Courage up,
“And lull Dispair to rest.
“My roving Prey to chace,
“The Terrors of my Mind to mask,
“And mend a fading Face;
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“I tried to steel my Breast,
“To keep expiring Courage up,
“And lull Dispair to rest.
“As swims a Bird in the Decoy,
“Her Fate not yet in Sight,
“Whom Tyrants covet to destroy,
“Whom Dogs allure and fright,
“With whom Seducers float along,
“The Net above them seen,
“Beneath, a Currant deep and strong,
“And guarded all between.
“Thus half Deceit & half consent,
“The Stranger Bird swims on,
“Nor fully sees the dire Intent
“Till every Hope is gone.
“Her Fate not yet in Sight,
“Whom Tyrants covet to destroy,
“Whom Dogs allure and fright,
“With whom Seducers float along,
“The Net above them seen,
“Beneath, a Currant deep and strong,
“And guarded all between.
“Thus half Deceit & half consent,
“The Stranger Bird swims on,
“Nor fully sees the dire Intent
“Till every Hope is gone.
“So Men our timid Sex decoy,
“So lure to live in Vice,
“Whom Tyrants covet to distroy,
“Whom frail Allies intice;
“Virtue herself and Scandal armed
“A safe Return deny,
“And all about her take Alarm
“If she attempt to fly;
“So lured, so frightened, on she goes
“The Way the Evils tend,
“Till Death, the mildest of her Foes,
“Her Fears and Terrors end.
“So lure to live in Vice,
“Whom Tyrants covet to distroy,
“Whom frail Allies intice;
“Virtue herself and Scandal armed
“A safe Return deny,
“And all about her take Alarm
“If she attempt to fly;
“So lured, so frightened, on she goes
“The Way the Evils tend,
“Till Death, the mildest of her Foes,
“Her Fears and Terrors end.
“Such Victims in their happier day
“But Dreams of Pleasure take,
“And when their purchased Charms decay,
“To Sorrow they awake.
“Can I describe these many ills?
“That vain Desire of Rest?
“The constant dread of Want that kills
“All Comfort in the Breast?
“Cold, Hunger, Nakedness and Pain,
“By Turns their Victim seize,
“Combine their force & jointly reign
“With Terror and Disease.
“But Dreams of Pleasure take,
“And when their purchased Charms decay,
“To Sorrow they awake.
“Can I describe these many ills?
“That vain Desire of Rest?
“The constant dread of Want that kills
“All Comfort in the Breast?
“Cold, Hunger, Nakedness and Pain,
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“Combine their force & jointly reign
“With Terror and Disease.
“How often have I drawn my Breath
“With such o'erwhelming pain
“That I have called aloud on death
“And groaned for him in vain;
“Yet, when I thought him drawing near,
“I gave a fearful Cry!
“And begged to live in Anguish here
“Till I was fit to die.
“With such o'erwhelming pain
“That I have called aloud on death
“And groaned for him in vain;
“Yet, when I thought him drawing near,
“I gave a fearful Cry!
“And begged to live in Anguish here
“Till I was fit to die.
“Think then my Task in times like these
“Man's Frailty to intice,
“Upon the passing Prey to seize
“And lure his Heart to vice;
“To talk of Love's delightful flame
“And Joys of tender kind,
“When Hunger wears the sickly frame
“And Horror thrills the Mind,
“When Nature bids these Woes appear,
“To labour for Disguise,
“And, laughing, wipe the burning tear
“Of Anguish from our Eyes.
“To counterfeit Love's lighter flame
“Is no such mighty Deed,
“'Tis every Woman's Wish and Aim,
“And nine of ten succeed;
“But O! to act the grosser part
“And meet the Drunkard's Will,
“'Tis this would pierce the hardest heart,
“And all its Comforts kill.
“Man's Frailty to intice,
“Upon the passing Prey to seize
“And lure his Heart to vice;
“To talk of Love's delightful flame
“And Joys of tender kind,
“When Hunger wears the sickly frame
“And Horror thrills the Mind,
“When Nature bids these Woes appear,
“To labour for Disguise,
“And, laughing, wipe the burning tear
“Of Anguish from our Eyes.
“To counterfeit Love's lighter flame
“Is no such mighty Deed,
“'Tis every Woman's Wish and Aim,
“And nine of ten succeed;
“But O! to act the grosser part
“And meet the Drunkard's Will,
“'Tis this would pierce the hardest heart,
“And all its Comforts kill.
“And hence with Liquors strong we heat
“The Brain till fear is flown;
“The Ruffian in his Mood to meet,
“With Spirit like his own;
“While some with Drugs of mighty Power
“Their Maladies sustain,
“And now 'tis Madness reigns its Hour,
“And then 'tis Grief again.
“The Brain till fear is flown;
“The Ruffian in his Mood to meet,
“With Spirit like his own;
“While some with Drugs of mighty Power
“Their Maladies sustain,
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“And then 'tis Grief again.
“Where does that lasting beauty live,
“That ever flowing Joy,
“That Nature in her pride can give,
“And this will not distroy?
“No Art could save this ruined face
“That not a Look obtained,
“How soon was run my guilty Race,
“And what for me remained?
“That ever flowing Joy,
“That Nature in her pride can give,
“And this will not distroy?
“No Art could save this ruined face
“That not a Look obtained,
“How soon was run my guilty Race,
“And what for me remained?
“Such Object now the nicer Town
“No longer could endure,
“But thrust me forth to wander down
“In Lanes and Courts obscure,
“Among the worst of Virtue's foes,
“Who shame the human shape,
“Who never left me to repose,
“Nor often to escape.
“No longer could endure,
“But thrust me forth to wander down
“In Lanes and Courts obscure,
“Among the worst of Virtue's foes,
“Who shame the human shape,
“Who never left me to repose,
“Nor often to escape.
“From these and brutal Wrong I fled,
“Till I began to find
“A new Disease affect my head
“And Madness threat my Mind:
“For Reason brooded o'er my Woe,
“Half lost in Fear and Pain,
“As Fenny Lights that come and go,
“And not as Guides remain.
“Till I began to find
“A new Disease affect my head
“And Madness threat my Mind:
“For Reason brooded o'er my Woe,
“Half lost in Fear and Pain,
“As Fenny Lights that come and go,
“And not as Guides remain.
“There lacks but little of my Tale,
“For soon my Senses fled,
“And ‘Death’, I said, ‘will soon prevail,
“‘For Hope and Fear are dead.’
“For soon my Senses fled,
“And ‘Death’, I said, ‘will soon prevail,
“‘For Hope and Fear are dead.’
“Compassion saw me as I fell,
“And marked me for her own,
“Gave me to live in peace to tell
“The Evils I have known.
“And marked me for her own,
“Gave me to live in peace to tell
“The Evils I have known.
“Though taught to hope, I love to rove
“As prompts the troubled Breast,
“Not good enough the Calm to love,
“The sacred Calm of Rest:
“As prompts the troubled Breast,
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“The sacred Calm of Rest:
“I've means to live, but in my Home
“My thoughts upon me prey,
“Sad thoughts that, when abroad I roam,
“Life's Chances brush away.
“My thoughts upon me prey,
“Sad thoughts that, when abroad I roam,
“Life's Chances brush away.
“And thus I live to speak my Woes
“As frightful Visions fled,
“To taste a penitent's Repose,
“And rest on Virtue's Bed.”
“As frightful Visions fled,
“To taste a penitent's Repose,
“And rest on Virtue's Bed.”
| New Poems by George Crabbe | |