And weak, he said, who went not with the throng; Man must his passions order and restrain 180 In all that gives his fellow-subjects pain; But yet of guilt he would in pity speak, And as he judged, the wicked were the weak. Such was the lover of a simple maid, Who seem’d to call his logic to his aid, And to mean something; I will not pretend To judge the purpose of my reasoning friend, Who was dismiss’d, in quiet to complain That so much labour was bestow’d in vain. And now my mother seem’d disposed to try 190 A life of reason and tranquillity. Ere this, her health and spirits were the best, Hers the day’s trifling, and the nightly rest; But something new was in her mind instill’d; Unquiet thoughts the matron bosom fill’d; For five and forty peaceful years she bore Her placid looks, and dress becoming wore: She could a compliment with pleasure take, But no absurd impression could it make. Now were her nerves disorder’d; she was weak, 200 And must the help of a physician seek: A Scotch physician, who had just began To settle near us, quite a graceful man, And very clever, with a soft address, That would his meaning tenderly express. Sick as my mother seem’d, when he inquired If she was ill, he found her well attired; She purchased wares so showy and so fine, The venders all believed th’ indulgence mine;-- But I, who thrice was woo’d, had lovers three, 210 Must now again a very infant be; While the good lady, twenty years a wife, Was to decide the colour of his life: And she decided. She was wont t’ appear To these unequal marriages severe; Her thoughts of such with energy she told, And was repulsive, dignified, and cold; But now, like monarchs weary of a throne, She would no longer reign--at least alone. She gave her pulse, and, with a manner sweet, 220 Wish’d him to feel how kindly they could beat; And ’tis a thing quite wonderful to tell How soon he understood them, and how well. Now, when she married, I from home was sent, With grandmamma to keep perpetual Lent; For she would take me on conditions cheap, For what we scarcely could a parrot keep: A trifle added to the daily fare Would feed a maiden who must learn to spare. With grandmamma I lived in perfect ease; 230 Consent to starve, and I was sure to please. Full well I knew the painful shifts we made } Expenses all to lessen or evade, } And tradesmen’s flinty hearts to soften and persuade. } Poor grandmamma among the gentry dwelt Of a small town, and all the honour felt; Shrinking from all approaches to disgrace That might be mark’d in so genteel a place; Where every daily deed, as soon as done, }