When Observation finds his shrewd good sense But prattling Love and tame benevolence, Presum’d to wonder at Success so strange, Thoughtless how Time had wrought the mighty Change. 310 * * * * * The Good Man promis’d, so would Heaven afford, To join the favourite Pair and bless the nuptial Board. As forth they rode, the Heir address’d his friend: “Now to an antient Maid our course we bend; Suppress thy smile, nor by a Glance deride The Virgin’s Spirit or the Tracy’s Pride!” * * * * * [_Here follow some forty lines, partly illegible, relating a dream of Emely during the absence of Tracy, and concluding:_] Bound and yet free, they hasten’d to the Shore, And found their Tent, and all they wish’d to find; Much was of Bliss without, within was more— Food for each Sense; amusement for the Mind; 320 Pictures of pleasant, Books of lively, kind; And Notes and Instruments, for Music meet; For one Delight another they resign’d. Were ever pair transfer’d to happier Seat; Was ever Youth so blest, was ever Maid so sweet? Yet, but a moment—and the bliss was lost; Tents, Treasures, Tracy, and Companions gone; In black, vile boat, on dreadfull billow tost On salt-sea Lake, sat Emely alone. On the dark waters melancholy shone 330 The clouded Regent of the wintry Sky; The muddy Shore no feet might rest upon; Beyond, with haggard Looks and threat’ning Eye, Walk’d Man she fear’d to see, yet fear’d, unseen, to die. And, while she fear’d to die and, living, fear’d, A peril worse than Death she now espied. On the wild Waves the ruffian men appear’d, And now approach’d, and now were at her Side; Her tears they see not and her Cries deride. Seaz’d in rude Arm, the trembling maid they take; 340 “Mercy!” her Cry; and, as aloud she cried, Some unseen form in pitying accents spake: “Choose first or last thy bliss! now wake, fond maid, awake!” She woke and wonder’d; then again she slept And was with Tracy in the meanest Cot, Wherever Poverty and Terror crept. Such now appear’d their lamentable Lot; Dread was on both, as some accursed Plot Had Cecil for Contriver! and now fled To the detested and deserted Spot. 350 With his sad wife! and now in constant dread And wanting Hope and Health, and needing Peace and Bread. She wept and, weeping, wonder’d at her Tears; For every woe and care was put to flight. Lord of his Land her Cecil now appears, And She the Lady dearest in his Sight. Her Views are pleasant and her prospect bright; And then again the warning Spirit spake: “Grief follow[s] Joy, succeeds to Woe Delight— Both thine; which first, fair Dreamer, wilt thou take? 360 Choose either, but take both! now, Emely awake!” * * * * *