New Poems by George Crabbe Edited with an introduction and notes by Arthur Pollard |
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The Lover of Virtue
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 | New Poems by George Crabbe |  |
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The Lover of Virtue
Late in the Night—the Wind forbade by Day—From the tall Ship that anchor'd in the bay
A young Lieutenant to his native Shore
Was row'd, then left the well known Way t'explore.
See he could not, he listen'd to the Sound
That Southward came, & thither he was bound.
Walk but one Mile, & he should then behold
The World's best Wealth, and in his Arms infold.
Some Months had past since he beheld ye maid,
But Hope by promises for Absense paid,
For tho' with beauty to a Heart all Eyes,
She had the Sense all Flattery to dispise.
“O! my best Adela, my loveliest Friend,
“My Virtuous Mistress! I on thee depend.
“In thee is all that Youth or Age admires,
“That prudence seeks, that Tenderness requires,
“All that can Grief subdue & Joy improve,
“Eternal Smiles & everlasting Love,
“And yet tho' fair—& Oh! ye powers on high!
“Dwells there more beauty in that peopled Sky?—
“Yet, known her Virtues, I adhere to them,
“Nor deem the Casket worthy of ye Gem.
“Virtue like thine, dear Maid, is Charm alone,
“And might for Age or Ugliness attone,
“But thou hast join'd what Hearts & Eyes approve,
“And 'tis our Duty to adore and love.”
“And might for Age or Ugliness attone,
“But thou hast join'd what Hearts & Eyes approve,
“And 'tis our Duty to adore and love.”
“But what is this that thus impedes my Way?
“This Inland Stream that rushes to the Bay?
“Alas! I judg'd but ill the Time & tide,
“And cannot ford it to the farther Side.
“Then hark, 'tis rising! Hours must yet be lost,
“E'er as ye Water falls, it may be crosst;
“I dare not trust me to th' uncertain deep,
“The Sound so thret'ning, & the Bank so steep.
“My Apprehendsions & my Love at Strife,
“This bids me hazard, those preserve my Life.
“Long must I walk, with this vile Stream to go,
“But can I ford it in its Swelling?—No.
“Upon its Bank I may securely tread,
“And find a Bridge, or reach the streamlet's Head!
“Beyond the Common 'tis too far, but still
“A Way there must be, when there's so much Will.
“This Inland Stream that rushes to the Bay?
“Alas! I judg'd but ill the Time & tide,
“And cannot ford it to the farther Side.
“Then hark, 'tis rising! Hours must yet be lost,
“E'er as ye Water falls, it may be crosst;
“I dare not trust me to th' uncertain deep,
“The Sound so thret'ning, & the Bank so steep.
“My Apprehendsions & my Love at Strife,
“This bids me hazard, those preserve my Life.
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“But can I ford it in its Swelling?—No.
“Upon its Bank I may securely tread,
“And find a Bridge, or reach the streamlet's Head!
“Beyond the Common 'tis too far, but still
“A Way there must be, when there's so much Will.
“We know a lover is not long alone,
“Or if he be, he can but sing or groan,
“Or to amusing Thoughts his Soul resign,
“And utter them by fits—This must be ^mine^.”
This softly musing as he mov'd along,
He sooth'd his tender Sufferings with a Song:
“Or if he be, he can but sing or groan,
“Or to amusing Thoughts his Soul resign,
“And utter them by fits—This must be ^mine^.”
This softly musing as he mov'd along,
He sooth'd his tender Sufferings with a Song:
“All own the charms of her I love,
“She every gentle Being pleases,
“The wise & good such powers approve,
“For she amends the Heart she seizes.
“So by just Laws & wise Commands
“Great Kings improve ye conquer'd Lands.
“She every gentle Being pleases,
“The wise & good such powers approve,
“For she amends the Heart she seizes.
“So by just Laws & wise Commands
“Great Kings improve ye conquer'd Lands.
“Each rival Maid, when lost her Swain,
“Shows to my fairest full Submission,
“For back she sends the Heart again,
“Amended! by its pure Ambition,
“As ships, that strike on foreign shores,
“Return enrich'd by unexpected stores.
“Shows to my fairest full Submission,
“For back she sends the Heart again,
“Amended! by its pure Ambition,
“As ships, that strike on foreign shores,
“Return enrich'd by unexpected stores.
“Ev'n Wives themselves shall better deem
“Their Lords, by Charms like hers won over,
“And Maids their Lovers more esteem,
“As each have been my Charmer's Lover.
“‘If blind to her's, what canst thou see’,
“Will each demand, ‘in one like me?’”
“Their Lords, by Charms like hers won over,
“And Maids their Lovers more esteem,
“As each have been my Charmer's Lover.
“‘If blind to her's, what canst thou see’,
“Will each demand, ‘in one like me?’”
Thus mus'd the Wanderer, pleas'd awhile to dwell
On Views absurd, unjust, impossible,
But we forgive a thousand foolish Things,
When each, we know, from honest Nature springs,
Nor wonder, Ladies, that a Man from Sea
Should such Admirer of your Virtues be,
For they are deem'd the best of Cupid's Darts,
Not merely striking, but amending Hearts.
The Love of Beauty gives these Hearts its Wounds,
But while it conquers, Virtue makes them sound.
On Views absurd, unjust, impossible,
But we forgive a thousand foolish Things,
When each, we know, from honest Nature springs,
Nor wonder, Ladies, that a Man from Sea
Should such Admirer of your Virtues be,
For they are deem'd the best of Cupid's Darts,
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The Love of Beauty gives these Hearts its Wounds,
But while it conquers, Virtue makes them sound.
The Youth, thus thinking, found his Mind at rest,
And a pure Calm succeeded in his Breast.
He saw in every View the favourite Maid,
As when the Calls of pity she obey'd,
And gave the groaning Ease, & gave the pining Aid,
He saw her kneeling with an Heart devout,
And all things vain & frivolous shut out!
He saw her on her crippled Sire attend!
Daughter & Nurse, & Comforter & friend!
And then he saw her with ten thousand Charms,
Hast'ning to meet, & sinking in his Arms!
And a pure Calm succeeded in his Breast.
He saw in every View the favourite Maid,
As when the Calls of pity she obey'd,
And gave the groaning Ease, & gave the pining Aid,
He saw her kneeling with an Heart devout,
And all things vain & frivolous shut out!
He saw her on her crippled Sire attend!
Daughter & Nurse, & Comforter & friend!
And then he saw her with ten thousand Charms,
Hast'ning to meet, & sinking in his Arms!
He now of late some feeble Lights had seen,
And he remember'd Hovels on a Green.
Those feeble Twinklers from the Windows shon,
Enlarged in Number as he travel'd on,
But One, or something led his Judgment wrong,
Was moving with unsteddy pace along.
True it was small, & did not wildly glare,
Like a strange Meteor in the troubled Air,
It went not Dancing from the Fen below,
But was such sober Light as Lanthorns show;
Yet was there something strange, such light to trace
So late at night & in so lone a place;
And when the Fancy in her flight proceeds,
'Tis marvelous how little fact she needs.
And he remember'd Hovels on a Green.
Those feeble Twinklers from the Windows shon,
Enlarged in Number as he travel'd on,
But One, or something led his Judgment wrong,
Was moving with unsteddy pace along.
True it was small, & did not wildly glare,
Like a strange Meteor in the troubled Air,
It went not Dancing from the Fen below,
But was such sober Light as Lanthorns show;
Yet was there something strange, such light to trace
So late at night & in so lone a place;
And when the Fancy in her flight proceeds,
'Tis marvelous how little fact she needs.
Still he approach'd, & as he nearer drew,
The Wonder lessen'd, but the Interest grew.
He saw a Female, thro' that pane so dim
That she could see, but not distinguish him.
Thoughtful she seem'd, attentive, musing, still,
Like one who paus'd in undetermin'd Will,
As left in Woe or Wonder; he perceiv'd
On nearer View & clearer that she griev'd.
He enter'd softly—“Do”, said he, “attend
“To my Vexations, be a Stranger's Friend.
“You seem in Sorrow, & perhaps your tear
“Falls for some Being, in Distress & dear.
“While you may—grieving, seek your own repose,
“My trifling Want it shames me to disclose,
“But to the Bridge could I obtain a Guide,
“I should be thankful—'tis a flowing Tide—
“And I, who landed but this Evening, see
“This wicked Stream between my Home & me.”
The Wonder lessen'd, but the Interest grew.
He saw a Female, thro' that pane so dim
That she could see, but not distinguish him.
Thoughtful she seem'd, attentive, musing, still,
Like one who paus'd in undetermin'd Will,
As left in Woe or Wonder; he perceiv'd
On nearer View & clearer that she griev'd.
He enter'd softly—“Do”, said he, “attend
“To my Vexations, be a Stranger's Friend.
“You seem in Sorrow, & perhaps your tear
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“While you may—grieving, seek your own repose,
“My trifling Want it shames me to disclose,
“But to the Bridge could I obtain a Guide,
“I should be thankful—'tis a flowing Tide—
“And I, who landed but this Evening, see
“This wicked Stream between my Home & me.”
The gentle female, trick'd by his Request,
Beg'd one so gentle in her Hut to rest.
His pity pleas'd her! & his form & Air,
Dress & Address! went further than his Prayer.
Beg'd one so gentle in her Hut to rest.
His pity pleas'd her! & his form & Air,
Dress & Address! went further than his Prayer.
Women indeed reject not Men who pray,
And so much Grace & Sympathy display,
And have such Tears in such prevailing Eyes
That they, too, catch the Look & sympathise.
And so much Grace & Sympathy display,
And have such Tears in such prevailing Eyes
That they, too, catch the Look & sympathise.
They were not silent—“Her good Man”, she cry'd,
“Was gone to light the Doctor, & to guide,
“Who had been call'd to that poor thing above,
“A shocking Tale,—deliver me from Love.”
“Was gone to light the Doctor, & to guide,
“Who had been call'd to that poor thing above,
“A shocking Tale,—deliver me from Love.”
“Your Daughter?” “Mine, I bless my fortune, No.
“Mine is long gone where you & I must go,
“Where this poor Child of Sorrow may be blest,
“At least with something that she knew not—rest.”
“Mine is long gone where you & I must go,
“Where this poor Child of Sorrow may be blest,
“At least with something that she knew not—rest.”
With glist'ning Eye that touch'd the Woman's heart,
“We feel”, he cried, “the Blessings we impart,
“Nor shall your noble Zeal, that I revere,
“Fail of Reward hereafter—no, nor here.
“Not all the Wealth that curses eastern Climes,
“Not all that Crimes command or cover Crimes,
“Can buy the sweet Emotion that we feel,
“When we our Neighbours' Sufferings share or heal,
“When Self-denial has a Want supplied
“And Heaven alone beheld the Self-denied.
“But what the Tale?”
“We feel”, he cried, “the Blessings we impart,
“Nor shall your noble Zeal, that I revere,
“Fail of Reward hereafter—no, nor here.
“Not all the Wealth that curses eastern Climes,
“Not all that Crimes command or cover Crimes,
“Can buy the sweet Emotion that we feel,
“When we our Neighbours' Sufferings share or heal,
“When Self-denial has a Want supplied
“And Heaven alone beheld the Self-denied.
“But what the Tale?”
—“Were all Mankind like thee,
“Tales of such Misery could no longer be.”
And with her honest praise the Cottage dame
At once respectful & yet kind became;
Trusting as trusted! what she saw & heard
Had to her gentle Mind the Youth indear'd.
“Tales of such Misery could no longer be.”
And with her honest praise the Cottage dame
At once respectful & yet kind became;
Trusting as trusted! what she saw & heard
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“She was an Orphan who to Service went,
“A laughing, loving, romping Innocent,
“Thinking no ill, none doing, Morn & Night
“All things seem'd pleasant in the Creature's Sight.
“Gaily she danc'd this very Hut before,
“And, being gay, forgot that she was poor.
“Light was her Spirit, cheerful was her Look,
“And with free Step she bounded o'er ye Brook.
“To her the Labours of her Youth were play,
“And merry was her Note from Day to Day.
“A laughing, loving, romping Innocent,
“Thinking no ill, none doing, Morn & Night
“All things seem'd pleasant in the Creature's Sight.
“Gaily she danc'd this very Hut before,
“And, being gay, forgot that she was poor.
“Light was her Spirit, cheerful was her Look,
“And with free Step she bounded o'er ye Brook.
“To her the Labours of her Youth were play,
“And merry was her Note from Day to Day.
“She was indeed so young, so free from Harm,
“A Wretch not all deprav'd had felt ye Charm,
“And when he gain'd the Heart of one so poor,
“In very Pity would have done no more,
“But he was brutal, savage, cruel, fierce,
“I cannot all the villain's Arts reherse.
“If there were Witness his foul Act to prove,
“He might be brought—but there is one above.
“A Wretch not all deprav'd had felt ye Charm,
“And when he gain'd the Heart of one so poor,
“In very Pity would have done no more,
“But he was brutal, savage, cruel, fierce,
“I cannot all the villain's Arts reherse.
“If there were Witness his foul Act to prove,
“He might be brought—but there is one above.
“For grant she lov'd him, could have lov'd him still,
“He never had her free Consent to Ill,
“Nor was Her babe, that shall not ope its Eyes
“On its poor Mother's Wrongs [and] Miseries,
“Or its tyrannic Father's Hardness prove,
“More free from sordid, selfish, sensual Love.
“He never had her free Consent to Ill,
“Nor was Her babe, that shall not ope its Eyes
“On its poor Mother's Wrongs [and] Miseries,
“Or its tyrannic Father's Hardness prove,
“More free from sordid, selfish, sensual Love.
“But he was proud to see his Victim kind,
“Vain of her Love, & of her Anguish blind,
“And when she stoop'd to be his Passion's Slave,
“It was to his Distress her Peace she gave;
“Her own good Name, her Bosom's sacred Peace,
“She gave his growing Triumph to increase,
“And fed a cruel flame, that was so soon to cease.
“Vain of her Love, & of her Anguish blind,
“And when she stoop'd to be his Passion's Slave,
“It was to his Distress her Peace she gave;
“Her own good Name, her Bosom's sacred Peace,
“She gave his growing Triumph to increase,
“And fed a cruel flame, that was so soon to cease.
“O! could the Girl, that yields to Flattery, know
“How soon these lordly Tyrants weary grow,
“Soon as their short-liv'd Passion fails to live,
“No more their pity, nor their Pence they give,
“But leave the Wretch whom they seduced to grant
“Her all to him; in Wretchedness with Want!
“At least, if Virtue fail'd them, they would run
“To some poor Swain, & this Affliction shun,
“They might their folly, not their pride, proclaim,
“And common Sufferings share, & common Shame.
“How soon these lordly Tyrants weary grow,
“Soon as their short-liv'd Passion fails to live,
“No more their pity, nor their Pence they give,
“But leave the Wretch whom they seduced to grant
“Her all to him; in Wretchedness with Want!
“At least, if Virtue fail'd them, they would run
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“They might their folly, not their pride, proclaim,
“And common Sufferings share, & common Shame.
“Not to one Being she her Tale confess'd,
“Till Nature told the Tale that Shame suppres'd,
“Then, by Disgrace persued, of Want in Fear,
“She sought for Pity, & she found it here.
“Her Mother's Friend perhaps would find a Bed
“For her while living, & a Grave when dead,
“If she had Strength to flee! She made th' Attempt, & fled.
“When Here she told, & yet she griev'd to tell,
“How he forsook the Wretch who lov'd so well,
“How cold e'er yet his Victim he forsook,
“How much, how long she fear'd, what pains she took
“To smile off every Pang & sweeten every Look.
“O! how capricious was the Robber grown,
“Who could reproach no Conduct but his own,
“And yet who never could his pains conceal,
“But make her all his wayward passions feel.
“Till Nature told the Tale that Shame suppres'd,
“Then, by Disgrace persued, of Want in Fear,
“She sought for Pity, & she found it here.
“Her Mother's Friend perhaps would find a Bed
“For her while living, & a Grave when dead,
“If she had Strength to flee! She made th' Attempt, & fled.
“When Here she told, & yet she griev'd to tell,
“How he forsook the Wretch who lov'd so well,
“How cold e'er yet his Victim he forsook,
“How much, how long she fear'd, what pains she took
“To smile off every Pang & sweeten every Look.
“O! how capricious was the Robber grown,
“Who could reproach no Conduct but his own,
“And yet who never could his pains conceal,
“But make her all his wayward passions feel.
“Now not to keep you in such Woes too long,
“For you can feel the Woe, & scorn the Wrong,
“This wicked Man—more Evil can we speak
“Of wicked Spirits, who our Ruin seek,
“As he the ruin of a cheerful Maid,
“Who in her Suffering for his Safety pray'd?—
“This vicious Man could say to One so true:
“‘I love a Lady’, & He told her who.
“‘You may assist me,—may my Notes produce.
“‘You serv'd the Mother & may be of Use.
“‘You must assist me!’; but with feeble Cry,
“And sad Surprise, she answer'd: ‘I must die.’
“‘Die’, said the Wretch, ‘& what will that restore?
“‘You had your Day, & what would you have more?’
“So said, he left her!—& yet this she bore.
“For you can feel the Woe, & scorn the Wrong,
“This wicked Man—more Evil can we speak
“Of wicked Spirits, who our Ruin seek,
“As he the ruin of a cheerful Maid,
“Who in her Suffering for his Safety pray'd?—
“This vicious Man could say to One so true:
“‘I love a Lady’, & He told her who.
“‘You may assist me,—may my Notes produce.
“‘You serv'd the Mother & may be of Use.
“‘You must assist me!’; but with feeble Cry,
“And sad Surprise, she answer'd: ‘I must die.’
“‘Die’, said the Wretch, ‘& what will that restore?
“‘You had your Day, & what would you have more?’
“So said, he left her!—& yet this she bore.
“But she has Vengeance! tho' not all her Due,
“And that dear Lady has Aveng'd her, too.
“The Wretch at Sea believes that, when at Land,
“He shall command the pledg'd & valued Hand.
“For this vile Man her large Estate she meant,
“And her sad Parent gave his slow consent.
“He thought with Horror of the fatal Vow,
“For he preferr'd the Man she chooses now,
“Son to his Friend—but shall I show the Bed,
“That holds the Mother & the Infant dead?”
“And that dear Lady has Aveng'd her, too.
“The Wretch at Sea believes that, when at Land,
“He shall command the pledg'd & valued Hand.
“For this vile Man her large Estate she meant,
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“He thought with Horror of the fatal Vow,
“For he preferr'd the Man she chooses now,
“Son to his Friend—but shall I show the Bed,
“That holds the Mother & the Infant dead?”
“Dead?” “Yes, in truth, the Mother & ye Son,
“In the same Instant, & the Grave is one.
“Heaven! how you tremble—sure you cannot dread,
“So brave & good, the Presence of the Dead.
“You have not ruin'd—heavenly Powers & just,
“I see it now—What Being may we trust?
“Yes, turn aside, & let no mortal Eye
“A man of pitying Cruelty espy.
“Go! haste Away, before they take Alarm,
“They think it murder, & may do you Harm,
“And for that Creature's Sake I would contrive
“To keep the Author of her fate, alive.
“Belike your parents, too, would mourn a Son,
“Cut off for doing Wrongs that you have done.
“In the same Instant, & the Grave is one.
“Heaven! how you tremble—sure you cannot dread,
“So brave & good, the Presence of the Dead.
“You have not ruin'd—heavenly Powers & just,
“I see it now—What Being may we trust?
“Yes, turn aside, & let no mortal Eye
“A man of pitying Cruelty espy.
“Go! haste Away, before they take Alarm,
“They think it murder, & may do you Harm,
“And for that Creature's Sake I would contrive
“To keep the Author of her fate, alive.
“Belike your parents, too, would mourn a Son,
“Cut off for doing Wrongs that you have done.
“Money! O! no, Sir, upon no Pretence.
“What, sell the Life of murder'd Innocents?
“Go, I beseech you, think upon your Ways,
“And try to practise Goodness, not to praise.
“Let not your Tears hang glistering in the Eyes;
“If your Heart melts not! they in vain Arise.
“If your Will follow not in Virtue's Cause,
“'Tis base Deceit to give her your Applause,
“But if to Goodness you would bend your Soul,
“That will your Spirit & your Art controul;
“And when Temptation shall your Heart assail,
“Think of this Night, & Virtue may prevail.”—
“What, sell the Life of murder'd Innocents?
“Go, I beseech you, think upon your Ways,
“And try to practise Goodness, not to praise.
“Let not your Tears hang glistering in the Eyes;
“If your Heart melts not! they in vain Arise.
“If your Will follow not in Virtue's Cause,
“'Tis base Deceit to give her your Applause,
“But if to Goodness you would bend your Soul,
“That will your Spirit & your Art controul;
“And when Temptation shall your Heart assail,
“Think of this Night, & Virtue may prevail.”—
| New Poems by George Crabbe | |