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Hence, from that day, that day of shame and sin,
Arose the restless enmity within;

On no resource could Fulham now rely,
Doom'd all expedients, and in vain, to try;
For Conscience, roused, sat boldly on her throne,
Watch'd every thought, attack'd the foe alone,
And with envenom'd sting drew forth the inward
groan :

Expedients fail'd that brought relief before,
In vain his alms gave comfort to the poor,

Give what he would, to him the comfort came no

more:

Not prayer avail'd, and when (his crimes confess'd)
He felt some ease, she said," Are they redress'd?
You still retain the profit, and be sure,
Long as it lasts, this anguish shall endure."

Fulham still tried to soothe her, cheat, mislead;
But Conscience laid her finger on the deed,
And read the crime with power, and all that must
succeed:

He tried t' expel her, but was sure to find
Her strength increased by all that he design'd;
Nor ever was his groan more loud and deep,
Than when refresh'd she rose from momentary sleep.
Now desperate grown, weak, harass'd, and afraid,
From new allies he sought for doubtful aid;
To thought itself he strove to bid adieu,
And from devotions to diversions flew ;

He took a poor domestic for a slave,

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(Though Avarice grieved to see the price he gave ;) And knew his sons could marry if they pleased:

Upon his board, once frugal, press'd a load

Of viands rich, the appetite to goad;

The long-protracted meal, the sparkling cup, Fought with his gloom, and kept his courage up: Soon as the morning came, there met his eyes Accounts of wealth, that he might reading rise; To profit then he gave some active hours,

Meantime in travel he indulged the boys,
And kept no spy nor partner of his joys.
These joys, indeed, were of the grosser kind,
That fed the cravings of an earthly mind;
A mind that, conscious of its own excess,
Felt the reproach his neighbours would express.
Long at th' indulgent board he loved to sit,

Till food and wine again should renovate his Where joy was laughter, and profaneness wit;

powers:

Yet, spite of all defence, of every aid,

The watchful foe her close attention paid;
In every thoughtful moment on she press'd,
And gave at once her dagger to his breast;
He waked at midnight, and the fears of sin,
As waters, through a bursten dam, broke in ;
Nay, in the banquet, with his friends around,
When all their cares and half their crimes were
drown'd,

Would some chance act awake the slumbering fear,
And care and crime in all their strength appear:
The news is read, a guilty victim swings,
And troubled looks proclaim the bosom-stings;
Some pair are wed; this brings the wife in view,
And some divorced; this shows the parting too;
Nor can he hear of evil word or deed,

But they to thought, and thought to sufferings lead.
Such was his life: no other changes came,
The hurrying day, the conscious night the same;
The night of horror, when he starting cried.
To the poor startled sinner at his side,

Is it in law? am I condemn'd to die?
Let me escape!--I'll give-O! let me fly-
How! but a dream-no judges! dungeon! chain!
Dr these grim men!-I will not sleep again.
Wilt thou, dread being! thus thy promise keep?
Day is thy time-and wilt thou murder sleep?
Sorrow and want repose, and wilt thou come,
Nor give one hour of pure, untroubled gloom?

And such the guest and manners of the hall,
No wedded lady on the 'squire would call :
Here reign'd a favourite, and her triumph gain'd
O'er other favourites who before had reign'd;
Reserved and modest seem'd the nymph to be,
Knowing her lord was charm'd with modesty ;
For he, a sportsman keen, the more enjoy'd,
The greater value had the thing destroy'd.

Our 'squire declared, that, from a wife released
He would no more give trouble to a priest;
Seem'd it not then ungrateful and unkind,
That he should trouble from the priesthood find?
The church he honour'd, and he gave the due
And full respect to every son he knew:
But envied those who had the luck to meet
A gentle pastor, civil and discreet ;
Who never bold and hostile sermon penn'd,
To wound a sinner, or to shame a friend;
One whom no being either shunn'd or fear'd,
Such must be loved wherever they appear'd

Not such the stern old rector of the time, Who soothed no culprit, and who spared no crime, Who would his fears and his contempt express For irreligion and licentiousness; Of him our village lord, his guests among, By speech vindictive proved his feelings stung.

Were he a bigot," said the 'squire," whose zea Condemn'd us all, I should disdain to feel; But when a man of parts, in college train'd, Prates of our conduct, who would not be pain'd

BETTUL 8 zual i stand we shOCK

e, example to his flock:
ector, thus severe and proud,
wide surplice for a narrow shroud,
Lace within his seat a youth,
e Graces, to explain the truth;

he flock with gentle hand be led,
von, and by compassion fed."
sed teacher was a sister's son,
children gave the priesthood one;
early train'd for this employ
lents of her college boy:
mes her letters painted all

s views, the manners of the hall; harshness, and the mischief made those whom preachers should per

:

youth to views of easy life,

atron, an obliging wife;

= glebe, the garden and the steed,
as many as he wish'd to read.
corded with the uncle's will,
priest compliant, easy, still;

I often to his favourite sent,
wrote, " in manly freedom spent ;
leased his spirit to assist
d, who scorn'd a Methodist."
too, in her maternal care,
canting hypocrites beware;

is duties would his heart seduce,
is talents of no earthly use.

t a trial of his worth be made,-
priest is to the tomb convey'd ;
ith summon'd from a serious friend,
nd host, new duties to attend.

nths before, the nephew and the 'squire | worth to praise and to admire ;

the one too early left his wine, till exclaim'd-" My boy will shine; eive that he will soon improve, form the very guide I love; bad, he will my name defend, at home, be social, and unbend." was specious, for the mind of James uly with his uncle's schemes: pired not to a higher name

clerks of moderate talents claim; pray, and reverently to preach, saw, good youth within his reach. a mass of sulphur long abide nert, but to the flame applied, : blazes, and consuming turns and poison, as it boils and burns. eaving college, to a preacher stray'd; 'd, he knew not, but the call obey'd: pensive, ever led by those d some specious novelty propose; e listen'd, while the preacher dwelt ng themes, and strong emotions felt; is night was fix'd that pliant will le point, and he retains it still. his care was to himself confined; issured, he gave it to mankind:

Now to the 'squire, although alert and stout,
Came unexpected an attack of gout;

And the grieved patron felt such serious pain,
He never thought to see a church again:

Thrice had the youthful rector taught the crowd,
Whose growing numbers spoke his powers aloud,
Before the patron could himself rejoice
(His pain still lingering) in the general voice;
For he imputed all this early fame

To graceful manner, and the well-known name;
And to himself assumed a share of praise,
For worth and talents he was pleased to raise.

A month had flown, and with it fled disease;
What pleased before, began again to please;
Emerging daily from his chamber's gloom,
He found his old sensations hurrying home;
Then call'd his nephew, and exclaim'd, "My
boy,

Let us again the balm of life enjoy ;

The foe has left me, and I deem it right,

Should he return, to arm me for the fight.'

Thus spoke the 'squire, the favourite nymph

stood by,

And view'd the priest with insult in her eye :
She thrice had heard him when he boldly spoke
On dangerous points, and fear'd he would revoke :
For James she loved not-and her manner told

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This warm affection will be quickly cold."

And still she fear'd impression might be made
Upon a subject nervous and decay'd;
She knew her danger, and had no desire
Of reformation in the gallant 'squire ;
And felt an envious pleasure in her breast
To see the rector daunted and distress'd.

Again the uncle to the youth applied ;
"Cast, my dear lad, that cursed gloom aside :
There are for all things time and place; appear
Grave in your pulpit, and be merry here:
Now take your wine;-for woes a sure resource,
And the best prelude to a long discourse."

James half obey'd, but cast an angry eye
On the fair lass, who still stood watchful by;
Resolving thus, "I have my fears; but still
I must perform my duties, and I will:
No love, no interest, shall my mind control,
Better to lose my comforts than my soul;
Better my uncle's favour to abjure,
Than the upbraidings of my heart endure."

He took his glass, and then address'd the 'squire:
"I feel not well, permit me to retire."
The 'squire conceived that the ensuing day
Gave him these terrors for the grand essay,
When he himself should this young preacher try,
And stand before him with observant eye;
This raised compassion in his manly breast,
And he would send the rector to his rest:
Yet first, in soothing voice-"A moment stay,
And these suggestions of a friend obey:
Treasure these hints, if fame or peace you prize,
The bottle emptied, I shall close my eyes.
"On every priest a twofold care attends,
To prove his talents, and ensure his friends,

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How well you studied, and how much you know:
Is faith your subject, and you judge it right
On theme so dark to cast a ray of light?
Be it that faith the orthodox maintain,
Found in the rubric, what the creeds explain;
Fail not to show us on this ancient faith
(And quote the passage) what some martyr saith:
Dwell not one moment on a faith that shocks
The minds of men sincere and orthodox;
That gloomy faith, that robs the wounded mind
Of all the comfort it was wont to find
From virtuous acts, and to the soul denies
Its proper due for alms and charities;
That partial faith, that, weighing sins alone;
Lets not a virtue for a fault atone;

That starving faith, that would our tables clear,
And make one dreadful Lent of all the year;
And cruel too, for this is faith that rends
Confiding beauties from protecting friends;
A faith that all embracing, what a gloom
Deep and terrific o'er the land would come!
What scenes of horror would that time disclose!
No sight but misery, and no sound but woes;
Your nobler faith, in loftier style convey'd,
Shall be with praise and admiration paid :
On points like these your hearers all admire
A preacher's depth, and nothing more require;
Shall we a studious youth to college send,
That every clown his words may comprehend?
"Tis for your glory, when your hearers own
Your learning matchless, but the sense unknown.
Thus honour gain'd, learn now to gain a friend,
And the sure way is-never to offend;

For, James, consider-what your neighbours do
Is their own business, and concerns not you:
Shun all resemblance to that forward race
Who preach of sins before a sinner's face;
And seem as if they overlook'd a pew,
Only to drag a failing man in view:
Much should I feel, when groaning in disease,
If a rough hand upon my limb should seize ;
But great my anger, if this hand were found
The very doctor's, who should make it sound:
So feel our minds, young priest, so doubly feel,
When hurt by those whose office is to heal.

64

Yet of our duties you must something tell,
And must at times on sin and frailty dwell;
Here you may preach in easy, flowing style,
How errors cloud us, and how sins defile:
Here bring persuasive tropes and figures forth,
To show the poor that wealth is nothing worth;
That they, in fact, possess an ample share
Of the world's good, and feel not half its care;
Give them this comfort, and, indeed, my gout
In its full vigour causes me some doubt;
And let it always, for your zeal, suffice,
That vice you combat, in the abstract-vice:
The very captious will be quiet then;
We all confess we are offending men:
In lashing sin, of every stroke beware,
For sinners feel, and sinners you must spare;

At others' cost, a mark'd
And all the better sort, v
Will love and reverence
Reverence for one who
And love, because he de

"Remember well whe
A quiet rector is a parish
Who in his learning has
Who to his people is a g
Who only hints at failin
Who loves his glebe, his
And finds the way to fa

The nephew answer' And look of sorrow mig He saw the fearful haza And held with truth an Nor long he reason'd, fo Resolved, though timid And though his friends Truth would he preach

The bells had toll'dThe flock assembled, an And now can poet sing The disappointment of

As he who long had (Whose blood and bo speed,)

Sanguine with hope, h
O'er every feature, and
Of triumph sure, he see
And waits their coming
Forestalling glory, with
And sure to see his con
The conquering steed
A rival's Herod bears
Nor second his, nor thi
With hanging head he
Surprise and wrath the

Love turns to scorn, ar
Thus waited, high in 1
Eager to hear, impatie
When the young pread
A certain passage to th
With air and accent st
Alarm'd the judge-he
But when the text an
Amazement scowl'd u
At this degenerate son
Staring he stood, till h
That James might we
For this he listen'd; b
The preacher always

And now the uncle
With James, and Jam
A long farewell to all
For now no crazed fa
Seem'd vile as James
All he had long derid
This from the chosen
The needless pause, t
The groan for sin, the

1 must be endured that could not be ex-
w idea more inflamed his ire,
hrown upon a rising fire:

yet, he sought by threatening sign
his heart, and awe the young divine;
es refused those angry looks to meet,
lismiss'd his flock, and left his seat:
ed then he felt his trembling frame,
his soul-his sentiments the same;
refore wise it seem'd to fly from rage,
<for shelter in his parsonage:
forsaken, yet consoled to find
mforts left, though not a few resign'd;
The lost an erring parent's love,

st conscience must the cause approve;
ce palate were no longer fed,

d enjoy'd delicious thoughts instead;
me part of earthly good was flown,
the tithe of ten good farms his own.
ow, and discord, in the village reign,
remonstrate, and the meek complain;
is war within, and wisdom pleads in vain:
ads the uncle, and proclaims his dread,
boy-priest should turn each rustic head;
ain converts cost him certain wo,
biful fear lest they should join the foe:
of old, with whom he used to joke,
s his honour with a pious look;
who met him once with lively airs,

ss his way, and gravely walk to prayers:
ompanion, whom he long has loved,
rd fears confess'd his conscience moved;
ird bottle gave its spirit forth,
y bore witness to departed worth,
nd arose, and he too would depart :-
said the 'squire," thou wert not wont to
u attended to that foolish boy, [start;

uld abridge all comforts, or destroy?"
e had listen'd, who had slumber'd long,
convinced that something must be wrong:
igh affected, still his yielding heart,
ving palate, took the uncle's part;

And would draw vengeance on his guilty head;
Their loves (Heaven knew how dreadfully dis-
tress'd

The thought had made her!) were as yet unbless'd :
And till the church had sanction'd"-Here she saw
The wrath that forced her trembling to withdraw.

Add to these outward ills, some inward light,
That show'd him all was not correct and right:
Though now he less indulged-and to the poor,
From day to day, sent alms from door to door;
Though he some ease from easy virtues found,
Yet conscience told him he could not compound;
But must himself the darling sin deny,

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Change the whole heart; but here a heavy sigh
Proclaim'd, How vast the toil! and ah! how
weak am I!"

James too has trouble-he divided sees
A parish, once harmonious and at ease:
With him united are the simply meek,

The warm, the sad, the nervous, and the weak;
The rest his uncle's, save the few beside
Who own no doctrine, and obey no guide;
With stragglers of each adverse camp, who lend
Their aid to both, but each in turn offend.

Though zealous still, yet he begins to feel
The heat too fierce, that glows in vulgar zeal ;
With pain he hears his simple friends relate
Their week's experience, and their woful state:
With small temptation struggling every hour,
And bravely battling with the tempting power;
His native sense is hurt by strange complaints
Of inward motions in these warring saints;
Who never cast on sinful bait a look
But they perceive the devil at the hook:
Grieved, yet compell'd to smile, he finds it hard
Against the blunders of conceit to guard;
He sighs to hear the jests his converts cause,
He cannot give their erring zeal applause;
But finds it inconsistent to condemn
The flights and follies he has nursed in them:
These, in opposing minds, contempt produce,
Or mirth occasion, or provoke abuse:

ow oppress'd him, who, when free from On each momentous theme disgrace they bring,

ine,

Idom clearly utter his design;

gh by nature and indulgence weak,

I converted, he resolved to speak;

aking, own'd, "that in his mind the youth
and learning, and that truth was truth:
aire he honour'd, and, for his poor part,
d nothing like a hollow heart:

sa maxim he had often tried,

ht was right, and there he would abide;
ur'd learning, and he would confess
acher had his talents-more or less:
agree? he thought the young divine
uch strictness-they might drink and dine;
m sufficient-but he said before,-

ith was truth, and he would drink no more."
heard the 'squire with mix'd contempt and
ain;

'd the priest this recreant sot would gain. courite nymph, though not a convert made,

And give to Scorn her poison and her sting.

TALE XVI.

THE CONFIDANT.

Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon,
With fresh suspicion?

Othello, act iii. sc. 3.

Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks,
And given my treasure and my rights in thee
To thick-eyed musing and cursed melancholy
Henry IV. Part I. act ii. sc. 3.

It is excellent
To have a giant's strength, but tyrannous
To use it as a giant.

Measure for Measure, act ii. sc. 2.

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Her shape was slender, and her features small,
But graceful, easy, unaffected all :

The liveliest tints her youthful face disclosed;
There beauty sparkled, and there health reposed;
For the pure blood that flush'd that rosy cheek
Spoke what the heart forbade the tongue to speak;
And told the feelings of that heart as well,
Nay, with more candour than the tongue could
tell :

Yet if some cause his earnest wish denied,
He begg'd to know it, and he bow'd and sigh'd.
The lady own'd that she was loath to part,
But praised the damsel for her gentle heart,
Her pleasing person, and her blooming health,
But ended thus, "Her virtue is her wealth."

Then is she rich!" he cried, with lively air; "But whence, so please you, came a lass so fair?" "A placeman's child was Anna, one who died

Though this fair lass had with the wealthy dwelt, And left a widow by afflictions tried;
Yet like the damsel of the cot she felt;
And, at the distant hint or dark surmise,

The blood into the mantling cheek would rise.
Now Anna's station frequent terrors wrought

In one whose looks were with such meaning
fraught;

For on a lady, as an humble friend,
It was her painful office to attend.

Her duties here were of the usual kind,
And some the body harass'd, some the mind:
Billets she wrote, and tender stories read,
To make the lady sleepy in her bed;
She play'd at whist, but with inferior skill,
And heard the summons as a call to drill;
Music was ever pleasant till she play'd
At a request that no request convey'd ;
The lady's tales with anxious looks she heard,
For she must witness what her friend averr'd:
The lady's taste she must in all approve,

Hate whom she hated, whom she loved must love;
These, with the various duties of her place,
With care she studied, and perform'd with grace;
She veil'd her troubles in a mask of ease,
And show'd her pleasure was a power to please.
Such were the damsel's duties; she was poor-
Above a servant, but with service more:
Men on her face with careless freedom gazed,
Nor thought how painful was the glow they raised;
A wealthy few to gain her favour tried,
But not the favour of a grateful bride:
They spoke their purpose with an easy air,
That shamed and frighten'd the dependent fair;
Past time she view'd, the passing time to cheat,
But nothing found to make the present sweet,
With pensive soul she read life's future page,
And saw dependent, poor, repining age.

But who shall dare t' assert what years may bring,
When wonders from the passing hour may spring?
There dwelt a yeoman in the place, whose mind
Was gentle, generous, cultivated, kind;
For thirty years he labour'd; fortune then
Placed the mild rustic with superior men
A richer Stafford who had lived to save,
What he had treasured to the poorer gave;
Who with a sober mind that treasure view'd,
And the slight studies of his youth renew'd:
He not profoundly, but discreetly read,
And a fair mind with useful culture fed,
Then thought of marriage; "But the great," said he,
"I shall not suit, nor will the meaner me."
Anna he saw, admired her modest air,
He thought her virtuous, and he knew her fair;
Love raised his pity for her humble state,
And prompted wishes for her happier fate;
No pride in money would his feelings wound,
Nor vulgar manners hurt him and confound:
He then the lady at the hall address'd,
Sought her consent, and his regard express'd;

She to support her infant daughter strove,
But early left the object of her love;
Her youth, her beauty, and her orphan state,
Gave a kind countess interest in her fate;
With her she dwelt, and still might dwelling be,
When the earl's folly caused the lass to flee;
A second friend was she compell'd to shun,
By the rude offers of an uncheck'd son;

I found her then, and with a mother's love
Regard the gentle girl whom you approve;
Yet, e'en with me protection is not peace,
Nor man's designs, nor beauty's trial, cease;
Like sordid boys by costly fruit they feel,
They will not purchase, but they try to steal."
Now this good lady, like a witness true,
Told but the truth, and all the truth she knew;
And 'tis our duty and our pain to show
Truth this good lady had not means to know.
Yes, there was lock'd within the damsel's breast
A fact important to be now confess'd;
Gently, my muse, th' afflicting tale relate,
And have some feeling for a sister's fate.

Where Anna dwelt, a conquering hero came,-
An Irish captain, Sedley was his name;
And he too had that same prevailing art,
That gave soft wishes to the virgin's heart:
In years they differ'd; he had thirty seen
When this young beauty counted just fifteen;
But still they were a lovely, lively pair,
And trod on earth as if they trod on air.

On love, delightful theme! the captain dwelt,
With force still growing with the hopes he felt;
But with some caution and reluctance told,
He had a father, crafty, harsh, and old;
Who, as possessing much, would much expect,
Or hoth, for ever, from his love reject:
Why then offence to one so powerful give,
Who (for their comfort) had not long to live?

With this poor prospect the deluded maid,
In words confiding, was indeed betray'd;
And, soon as terrors in her bosom rose,
The hero fled; they hinder'd his repose.
Deprived of him, she to a parent's breast
Her secrets trusted, and her pains express'd;
Let her to town (so prudence urged) repair,
To shun disgrace, at least to hide it there;
But ere she went, the luckless damsel pray'd
A chosen friend might lend her timely aid:
Yes; my soul's sister, my Eliza, come,
Hear her last sigh, and ease thy Anna's doom."
"Tis a fool's wish," the angry father cried,
But, lost in troubles of his own, complied:
And dear Eliza to her friend was sent,
T' indulge that wish, and be her punishment:
The time arrived, and brought a tenfold dread;
The time was past, and all the terror fled;
The infant died; the face resumed each charm,
And reason now brought trouble and alarm

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