And he who first returns, or fears to go, Forfeits his cash.”--Said Counter, “Be it so.” The friends around them saw with much delight The social war, and hail’d the pleasant night; Nor would they further hear the cause discuss’d, Afraid the recreant heart of Clubb to trust. Now sober thoughts return’d as each withdrew, And of the subject took a serious view. “’Twas wrong,” thought Counter, “and will grieve my love;” “’Twas wrong,” thought Clubb, “my wife will not approve; But friends were present; I must try the thing, 161 Or with my folly half the town will ring.” He sought his lady--“Madam, I’m to blame, But was reproach’d, and could not bear the shame; Here in my folly--for ’tis best to say The very truth--I’ve sworn to have my way: To that Newmarket--(though I hate the place, And have no taste or talents for a race, Yet so it is--well, now prepare to chide--) I laid a wager that I dared to ride; 170 And I must go: by Heaven, if you resist I shall be scorn’d, and ridiculed, and hiss’d; Let me with grace before my friends appear, You know the truth, and must not be severe; He too must go, but that he will of course; Do you consent?--I never think of force.” “You never need,” the worthy dame replied; “The husband’s honour is the woman’s pride; If I in trifles be the wilful wife, Still for your credit I would lose my life; 180 Go! and when fix’d the day of your return, Stay longer yet, and let the blockheads learn, That, though a wife may sometimes wish to rule, She would not make th’ indulgent man a fool; I would at times advise--but idle they Who think th’ assenting husband _must_ obey.” The happy man, who thought his lady right In other cases, was assured to-night; Then for the day with proud delight prepared, To show his doubting friends how much he dared. 190 Counter--who grieving sought his bed, his rest Broken by pictures of his love distress’d-- With soft and winning speech the fair prepared: “She all his councils, comforts, pleasures shared; She was assured he loved her from his soul; She never knew and need not fear control; But so it happen’d--he was grieved at heart, It happen’d so, that they awhile must part-- A little time--the distance was but short, And business call’d him--he despised the sport; 200 But to Newmarket he engaged to ride, With his friend Clubb;” and there he stopp’d and sigh’d. Awhile the tender creature look’d dismay’d, Then floods of tears the call of grief obey’d:-- “She an objection! No!” she sobb’d, “not one; Her work was finish’d, and her race was run; For die she must, indeed she would not live A week alone, for all the world could give; He too must die in that same wicked place;