Is----I distress you--let me end my tale. “Something one day occurr’d about a bill 470 That was not drawn with true mercantile skill, And I was ask’d and authorized to go To seek the firm of Clutterbuck and Co.; Their hour was past--but when I urged the case, There was a youth who named a second place; Where, on occasions of important kind, I might the man of occupation find In his retirement, where he found repose From the vexations that in business rose. I found, though not with ease, this private seat 480 Of soothing quiet, wisdom’s still retreat. “The house was good, but not so pure and clean As I had houses of retirement seen; Yet men, I knew, of meditation deep, Love not their maidens should their studies sweep; His room I saw, and must acknowledge, there Were not the signs of cleanliness or care: A female servant, void of female grace, Loose in attire, proceeded to the place; She stared intrusive on my slender frame, 490 And boldly ask’d my business and my name. “I gave them both; and, left to be amused, Well as I might, the parlour I perused. The shutters half unclosed, the curtains fell } Half down, and rested on the window-sill, } And thus, confusedly, made the room half visible. } Late as it was, the little parlour bore Some tell-tale tokens of the night before; There were strange sights and scents about the room, Of food high-season’d, and of strong perfume; 500 Two unmatch’d sofas ample rents display’d; Carpet and curtains were alike decay’d; A large old mirror, with once-gilded frame, Reflected prints that I forbear to name, Such as a youth might purchase--but, in truth, Not a sedate or sober-minded youth; The cinders yet were sleeping in the grate, } Warm from the fire, continued large and late, } As left by careless folk in their neglected state; } The chairs in haste seem’d whirl’d about the room, } 510 As when the sons of riot hurry home, } And leave the troubled place to solitude and gloom. } “All this, for I had ample time, I saw, And prudence question’d--should we not withdraw? For he who makes me thus on business wait, Is not for business in a proper state; But man there was not, was not he for whom To this convenient lodging I was come; No! but a lady’s voice was heard to call On my attention--and she had it all; 520 For lo! she enters, speaking ere in sight, ‘Monsieur! I shall not want the chair to-night-- Where shall I see him?--This dear hour atones For all affection’s hopeless sighs and groans’-- Then, turning to me--‘Art thou come at last? A thousand welcomes--be forgot the past; Forgotten all the grief that absence brings,