The Will provided—“If my son survive, He shall inherit;” and lo! Jack’s alive! Yes! he was that lost lad, preserved by fate, And now was bent on finding his estate. 300 But claim like this the angry James denied, And to the law the sturdy heir applied. James did what men when placed like him would do— Avow’d his right, and fee’d his lawyer too: The Will, indeed, provided for a son; But was this Sailor youth the very one? Ere Jack’s strong proofs in all their strength were shown, } To gain a part James used a milder tone; } But the instructed tar would reign alone. } At last he reign’d: to James a large bequest 310 Was frankly dealt; the Seaman had the rest— Save a like portion to the gentle Niece, Who lived in comfort, and regain’d her peace. In her neat room her talent she employ’d, With more true peace than ever James enjoy’d. The young, the aged, in her praise agreed— Meek in her manner, bounteous in her deed; The very children their respect avow’d: “’Twas the good lady,” they were told, and bow’d. The merry Seaman much the maid approv’d— 320 Nor that alone—he like a seaman loved; Loved as a man who did not much complain; Loved like a sailor, not a sighing swain; Had heard of wooing maids, but knew not how— “Lass, if you love me, prithee tell me now,” Was his address—but this was nothing cold— “Tell if you love me;” and she smiled and told. He brought her presents, such as sailors buy, } Glittering like gold, to please a maiden’s eye, } All silk and silver, fringe and finery; 330} These she accepted in respect to him, And thought but little of the missing limb. Of this he told her, for he loved to tell A warlike tale, and judged he told it well:— “You mark me, love! the French were two to one, And so, you see, they were ashamed to run; We fought an hour; and then there came the shot That struck me here—a man must take his lot;— A minute after, and the Frenchman struck: One minute sooner had been better luck; 340 But, if you can a crippled cousin like, You ne’er shall see him for a trifle strike.” Patty, whose gentle heart was not so nice As to reject the thought of loving twice, Judged her new Cousin was by nature kind, With no suspicions in his honest mind, Such as our virtuous ladies now and then Find strongly floating in the minds of men. So they were married, and the lasses vow’d That Patty’s luck would make an angel proud: 350 “Not but that time would come when she must prove That men are men, no matter how they love!”— And she has prov’d it; for she finds her man As kind and true as when their loves began. James is unhappy; not that he is poor, But, having much, because he has no more; Because a rival’s pleasure gives him pain; Because his vices work’d their way in vain; And, more than these, because he sees the smile