Recorded next, a babe of love I trace, Of many loves the mother's fresh disgrace.-- 450 "Again, thou harlot! could not all thy pain, All my reproof, thy wanton thoughts restrain?" "Alas! your reverence, wanton thoughts, I grant, Were once my motive, now the thoughts of want; Women, like me, as ducks in a decoy, Swim down a stream, and seem to swim in joy; Your sex pursue us, and our own disdain; Return is dreadful, and escape is vain. Would men forsake us, and would women strive To help the fall'n, their virtue might revive." 460 For rite of churching soon she made her way, In dread of scandal, should she miss the day.-- Two matrons came! with them she humbly knelt, Their action copied and their comforts felt, From that great pain and peril to be free, Though still in peril of that pain to be; Alas! what numbers, like this amorous dame, Are quick to censure, but are dead to shame! Twin-infants then appear: a girl, a boy, Th' o'erflowing cup of Gerard Ablett's joy. 470 One had I named in every year that pass'd Since Gerard wed, and twins behold at last! Well pleased, the bridegroom smiled to hear--"A vine Fruitful and spreading round the walls be thine, And branch-like be thine offspring!"--Gerard then Look'd joyful love, and softly said, "Amen." Now of that vine he'd have no more increase, Those playful branches now disturb his peace: Them he beholds around his table spread, But finds, the more the branch, the less the bread; 480 And while they run his humble walls about, They keep the sunshine of good-humour out. Cease, man, to grieve! thy master's lot survey, Whom wife and children, thou and thine, obey; A farmer proud beyond a farmer's pride, Of all around the envy or the guide; Who trots to market on a steed so fine, That when I meet him, I'm ashamed of mine; Whose board is high up-heap'd with generous fare, } Which five stout sons and three tall daughters share: 490 } Cease, man, to grieve, and listen to his care. } A few years fled, and all thy boys shall be Lords of a cot, and labourers like thee: Thy girls, unportion'd, neighb'ring youths shall lead Brides from my church, and thenceforth thou art freed; But then thy master shall of cares complain, Care after care, a long connected train; His sons for farms shall ask a large supply, For farmers' sons each gentle miss shall sigh; Thy mistress, reasoning well of life's decay, 500 Shall ask a chaise, and hardly brook delay; The smart young cornet who, with so much grace, Rode in the ranks and betted at the race, While the vex'd parent rails at deeds so rash, Shall d--n his luck, and stretch his hand for cash. Sad troubles, Gerard! now pertain to thee, When thy rich master seems from trouble free;