Last in my list, five untaught lads appear; Their father dead, compassion sent them here-- For still that rustic infidel denied To have their names with solemn rite applied. 790 His, a lone house, by Deadman's Dyke-way stood; And his, a nightly haunt, in Lonely-wood. Each village inn has heard the ruffian boast, That he believed in neither God nor ghost; That, when the sod upon the sinner press'd, He, like the saint, had everlasting rest; That never priest believed his doctrines true, But would, for profit, own himself a Jew, Or worship wood and stone, as honest heathen do; That fools alone on future worlds rely, 800 And all who die for faith, deserve to die. These maxims, part th' attorney's clerk profess'd; His own transcendent genius found the rest. Our pious matrons heard, and, much amazed, Gazed on the man, and trembled as they gazed; And now his face explored, and now his feet, Man's dreaded foe, in this bad man, to meet. But him our drunkards as their champion raised, Their bishop call'd, and as their hero praised; Though most, when sober, and the rest, when sick, 810 Had little question whence his bishopric. But he, triumphant spirit! all things dared, He poach'd the wood, and on the warren snared; 'Twas his, at cards, each novice to trepan, And call the wants of rogues the rights of man; Wild as the winds, he let his offspring rove, And deem'd the marriage-bond the bane of love. What age and sickness, for a man so bold, Had done, we know not--none beheld him old. By night, as business urged, he sought the wood-- 820 The ditch was deep--the rain had caused a flood-- The foot-bridge fail'd--he plunged beneath the deep, And slept, if truth were his, th' eternal sleep. These have we named; on life's rough sea they sail, With many a prosperous, many an adverse gale! Where passion soon, like powerful winds, will rage, And prudence, wearied, with their strength engage. Then each, in aid, shall some companion ask, For help or comfort in the tedious task; And what that help--what joys from union flow, 830 What good or ill, we next prepare to show; And row, meantime, our weary bark ashore, As Spenser his--but not with Spenser's oar[21]. FOOTNOTES: [21] Allusions of this kind are to be found in the Fairy Queen. See the end of the First Book, and other places. PART II. _MARRIAGES._