Have well consider’d danger and expense: I ran, alas! into the fatal snare, 120 And now for trouble must my mind prepare; And how, with children, I shall pick my way, Through a hard world, is more than I can say: Then change not, brother, your more happy state, Or on the hazard long deliberate.” George answer’d gravely, “It is right and fit, In all our crosses, humbly to submit: Your apprehensions are unwise, unjust; Forbear repining, and expel distrust.”-- He added, “Marriage was the joy of life,” 130 And gave his service to his brother’s wife; Then vow’d to bear in all expense a part, And thus concluded, “Have a cheerful heart.” Had the glad Isaac been his brother’s guide, In these same terms the seaman had replied; At such reproofs the crafty landman smiled, And softly said--“This creature is a child.” Twice had the gallant ship a capture made-- And when in port the happy crew were paid, Home went the sailor, with his pocket stored, 140 Ease to enjoy, and pleasure to afford. His time was short; joy shone in every face; Isaac half fainted in the fond embrace; The wife resolved her honour’d guest to please, The children clung upon their uncle’s knees; The grog went round, the neighbours drank his health, And George exclaim’d--“Ah! what to this is wealth? Better,” said he, “to bear a loving heart, Than roll in riches----but we now must part!” All yet is still--but hark! the winds o’ersweep 150 The rising waves, and howl upon the deep; Ships, late becalm’d, on mountain-billows ride-- So life is threaten’d, and so man is tried. Ill were the tidings that arrived from sea: The worthy George must now a cripple be; His leg was lopp’d; and, though his heart was sound, Though his brave captain was with glory crown’d-- Yet much it vex’d him to repose on shore, An idle log, and be of use no more. True, he was sure that Isaac would receive 160 All of his brother that the foe might leave; To whom the seaman his design had sent, Ere from the port the wounded hero went; His wealth and expectations told, he “knew Wherein they fail’d, what Isaac’s love would do; That he the grog and cabin would supply, Where George at anchor during life would lie.” The landman read--and, reading, grew distress’d:-- “Could he resolve t’ admit so poor a guest? Better at Greenwich might the sailor stay, 170 Unless his purse could for his comforts pay;” So Isaac judged, and to his wife appeal’d, But yet acknowledged it was best to yield: “Perhaps his pension, with what sums remain Due or unsquander’d, may the man maintain; Refuse we must not.”--With a heavy sigh The lady heard, and made her kind reply: “Nor would I wish it, Isaac, were we sure