Prone to Compassion, mild with the Distress'd,
He bore with all who Poverty profess'd,

And some would he assist, nor one would he arrest.
He had some Loss at Sea, bad Debts at Land,
His Clerk absconded with some Bills in hand,
And Plans so often fail'd that he no longer plana'd.
To a small House (his Brother's) he withdrew,
At easy Rent-the Man was not a Jew;

And there his Losses and his Cares he bore,

Nor found that want of Wealth could make him poor.
No, he in fact was rich, nor could he move,
But he was follow'd by the looks of Love;
All he had suffer'd, every former Grief,
Made those around more studious in relief;
He saw a cheerful Smile in every Face,
And lost all thoughts of Error and Disgrace.
Pleasant it was to see them in their Walk
Round their small Garden, and to hear them talk;
Free are their Children, but their Love refrains
From all Offence-none murmurs, none complains;
Whether a Book amus'd them, Speech or Play,
Their Looks were lively, and their Hearts were gay;
There no forc'd efforts for Delight were made,
Joy came with Prudence, and without Parade;
Their common Comforts they had all in view,
Light were their Troubles, and their Wishes few:
Thrift made them easy for the coming Day,
Religion took the dread of Death away;

A cheerful Spirit still insur'd Content,

And Love smil'd round them wheresoe'er they went.
Walter meantime, with all his Wealth's increase,
Gain'd many Points, but could not purchase Peace;
When he withdrew from Business for an hour,
Some fled his Presence, all confess'd his Power;

He sought Affection, but receiv'd instead,

Fear undisguis'd, and Love-repelling Dread;

He look'd around him-" Harriet, dost thou love?" 'I do my Duty,' said the timid Dove;

"Good Heav'n, your Duty! prithee, tell me now"To Love and Honour-was not that your Vow? "Come, my good Harriet, I would gladly seek "Your inmost Thought-Why can't the Woman speak? "Have you not all things?"— Sir, do I complain?— “No, that's my part, which I perform in vain ; "I want a simple Answer, and direct—

"But you evade; yes! 'tis as I suspect.

"Come then, my Children! Watt! upon your knees "Vow that you love me."-" Yes, Sir, if you please.'"Again! By Heav'n, it mads me; I require "Love, and they'll do whatever I desire: "Thus too my People shun me; I would spend "A thousand Pounds to get a single Friend; "I would be happy-I have means to pay "For Love and Friendship, and you run away; “ Ungrateful Creatures! why, you seem to dread My very Looks; I know you wish me dead. “Come hither, Nancy! you must hold me dear; “Hither, I say; why! what have you to fear? "You see I'm gentle-Come, you Trifler, come; "My God! she trembles! Idiot, leave the room! “Madam! your Children hate me; I suppose "They know their cue: you make them all my Foes; "I've not a Friend in all the World-not one: "I'd be a Bankrupt sooner; nay, 'tis done;

66

“In every better hope of Life I fail,

“You're all Tormentors, and my House a Jail; “Out of my sight! I'll sit and make my Will— What, glad to go? stay, devils, and be still;

""Tis to your Uncle's Cot you wish to run, "To learn to live at ease and be undone; "Him you can love, who lost his whole Estate, "And I, who gain you Fortunes, have your Hate; ""Tis in my absence, you yourselves enjoy: "Tom! are you glad to lose me?-tell me, boy: "Yes! does he answer?" Yes! upon my Soul;' "No Awe, no Fear, no Duty, no Controul! "Away! away! ten thousand Devils seize

"All I possess, and plunder where they please! "What's Wealth to me?-yes, yes! it gives me sway, "And you shall feel it-Go! begone, I say."

K

LETTER IX.

AMUSEMENTS.

Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis,
Ut possis animo quemvis sufferre laborem.

Catull. lib. 3.

Nostra fatiscat

Laxaturque chelys, vires instigat alitque
Tempestiva quies, major post otia virtus.

Statius Sylv. lib. 4.

Jamque mare et tellus nullum discrimen habebant;
Omnia pontus erant : deerant quoque littora ponto.

Ovid Metamorph. lib. 1.