You are indeed a Family of Love; And my old friend were happy in the sight Of those of whom I shall such tidings write.” The Captain wrote not: he perhaps was slow; Perhaps he wish’d a little more to know. He wrote not yet; and, while he thus delay’d, 750 Frances alone an early visit paid. The maiden Lady braved the morning cold, To tell her Friend what duty bade be told, Yet not abruptly—she has first to say, “How cold the morning, but how fine the day!— I fear you slept but ill, we kept you long, You made us all so happy, but ’twas wrong— So entertain’d, no wonder we forgot How the time pass’d; I fear me you did not.” In this fair way the Lady seldom fail’d 760 To steer her course, still sounding as she sail’d. “Dear Captain Elliot, how your Friends you read! We are a loving Family indeed; Left in the world each other’s aid to be, And join to raise a fallen family. Oh! little thought we there was one so near, And one so distant, to us all so dear— All, all alike; he cannot know, dear man! Who needs him most, as one among us can: One who can all our wants distinctly view, 770 And tell him fairly what were just to do. But you, dear Captain Elliot, as his friend, As ours, no doubt, will your assistance lend. Not for the world would I my Brothers blame; Good men they are: ’twas not for that I came. No! did they guess what shifts I make, the grief That I sustain, they’d fly to my relief; But I am proud as poor; I cannot plead My cause with them, nor show how much I need. But to my Uncle’s Friend it is no shame, 780 Nor have I fear, to seem the thing I am; My humble pittance life’s mere need supplies, But all indulgence, all beyond denies. I aid no pauper, I myself am poor; I cannot help the beggar at my door; I from my scanty table send no meat; Cook’d and recook’d is every joint I eat. At Church a sermon begs our help—I stop And drop a tear; nought else have I to drop; But pass the out-stretch’d plate with sorrow by, 790 And my sad heart this kind relief deny. My dress—I strive with all my maiden skill To make it pass, but ’tis disgraceful still; Yet from all others I my wants conceal— Oh! Captain Elliot, there are few that feel! But did that rich and worthy Uncle know } What you, dear Sir, will in your kindness show, } He would his friendly aid with generous hand bestow. } “Good men my Brothers both, and both are raised Far above want—the Power that gave be praised! 800 My Sister’s jointure, if not ample, gives All she can need, who as a lady lives; But I, unaided, may through all my years Endure these ills—forgive these foolish tears. “Once, my dear Sir—I then was young and gay, And men would talk—but I have had my day: Now all I wish is so to live, that men May not despise me whom they flatter’d then. If you, kind Sir——