There, Werter sees the sportive children fed, } And Charlotte, here, bewails her lover dead. } 'Tis here, assembled, while in space apart Their husbands, drinking, warm the opening heart, 420 Our neighbouring dames, on festal days, unite With tongues more fluent and with hearts as light; Theirs is that art, which English wives alone Profess--a boast and privilege their own; An art it is, where each at once attends To all, and claims attention from her friends, When they engage the tongue, the eye, the ear, Reply when list'ning, and when speaking hear: The ready converse knows no dull delays, "But double are the pains, and double be the praise[23]." 430 Yet not to those alone who bear command Heaven gives a heart to hail the marriage band; Among their servants, we the pairs can show, Who much to love and more to prudence owe. Reuben and Rachel, though as fond as doves, Were yet discreet and cautious in their loves; Nor would attend to Cupid's wild commands, Till cool reflection bade them join their hands. When both were poor, they thought it argued ill Of hasty love to make them poorer still; 440 Year after year, with savings long laid by, They bought the future dwelling's full supply; Her frugal fancy cull'd the smaller ware, The weightier purchase ask'd her Reuben's care; Together then their last year's gain they threw, And lo! an auction'd bed, with curtains neat and new. Thus both, as prudence counsell'd, wisely stay'd, And cheerful then the calls of Love obey'd: What if, when Rachel gave her hand, 'twas one Embrown'd by Winter's ice and Summer's sun? 450 What if, in Reuben's hair, the female eye Usurping grey among the black could spy? What if, in both, life's bloomy flush was lost, And their full autumn felt the mellowing frost? Yet time, who blow'd the rose of youth away, Had left the vigorous stem without decay; Like those tall elms, in Farmer Frankford's ground, They'll grow no more--but all their growth is sound; By time confirm'd and rooted in the land, The storms they've stood, still promise they shall stand. 460