The time would come when he should not be dear. “Jane laugh’d at all their visits and parade, And call’d it friendship in an hot-house made; A style of friendship suited to his taste, Brought on, and ripen’d, like his grapes, in haste; She saw the wants that wealth in vain would hide, And all the tricks and littleness of pride; On all the wealth would creep the vulgar stain, And grandeur strove to look itself in vain. 340 “Lucy perceived--but she replied, ‘why heed Such small defects?--they’re very kind indeed!’ And kind they were, and ready to produce Their easy friendship, ever fit for use, Friendship that enters into all affairs, And daily wants, and daily gets, repairs. “Hence at the cottage of the sisters stood The Banker’s steed--he was so very good; Oft through the roads, in weather foul or fair, Their friend’s gay carriage bore the gentle pair; 350 His grapes and nectarines woo’d the virgins’ hand; His books and roses were at their command, And costly flowers--he took upon him shame That he could purchase what he could not name. “Lucy was vex’d to have such favours shown, And they returning nothing of their own; Jane smiled, and begg’d her sister to believe,-- ‘We give at least as much as we receive.’ “Alas! and more; they gave their ears and eyes, His splendor oft-times took them by surprise; 360 And, if in Jane appear’d a meaning smile, She gazed, admired, and paid respect the while; Would she had rested there! Deluded maid, She saw not yet the fatal price she paid; Saw not that wealth, though join’d with folly, grew In her regard; she smiled, but listened too; Nay would be grateful, she would trust her all, } Her funded source--to him a matter small; } Taken for their sole use, and ever at their call, } To be improved--he knew not how indeed, 370 But he had methods--and they must succeed. “This was so good, that Jane, in very pride, To spare him trouble, for a while denied; And Lucy’s prudence, though it was alarm’d, Was by the splendor of the Banker charm’d; What was her paltry thousand pounds to him, Who would expend five thousand on a whim? And then the portion of his wife was known; But not that she reserved it for her own. “Lucy her lover trusted with the fact, 380 And frankly ask’d, ‘if he approved the act?’ ‘It promised well,’ he said; ‘he could not tell How it might end, but sure it promised well; He had himself a trifle in the Bank, And should be sore uneasy if it sank.’ “Jane from her lover had no wish to hide Her deed; but was withheld by maiden pride; To talk so early--as if one were sure Of being his; she could not that endure. “But when the sisters were apart, and when 390