’Tis hard to say what fears and troubles rose In Susan’s breast, each other to oppose! Absent the Father, Lover, Friend, she fear’d For each in turn, and all were more endear’d; And much she griev’d, that Men she lov’d so well Could not in Comfort with each other dwell. Poor Susan then forth hurried, with a Dread Of Unknown Evil pending o’er her Head! 120 ’Twas in a luckless Hour, when Joseph’s Mind Was full of Care, he anything but kind; When he look’d back upon the Days serene That he and Susan had together seen, [Ere] this free Soldier his fair Maid address’d And broke with Dreams of Bliss the [wonted] rest. Yet had he past the Sign, nor turn’d again For Speech insulting nor for threat’ning vain, Had not the Youth, contemptuous, from the Inn Reach’d him, resolv’d a Quarrel to begin: 130 “Come, stay, my Hero, and determine now To whom fair Susan shall engage her Vow! Win her and wear her; fight for or decline; Begin the battle, or the Bride is mine!” “Coxcomb!” said Joseph; and by force he free’d His captive Arm and hasten’d to proceed. “‘Coxcomb!’” said Francis; “you shall quickly know The force and Value of a ‘Coxcomb’s’ blow!” “A Ring! a Ring!” for now a gathering Crowd Had vulgar and tumultuous Joy avow’d. 140 “If the Great Cesar had presum’d to Call, Him and his Mirmidons—I’d face them all! But first I will wipe off this foul Disgrace, And bring the Blush of shame upon thy face.” And [on] the Instant, as he ceas’d to speak, He struck th’ insulted Joseph on the Cheek. For Frank was one who Lectures never mist On all the glorious Science of the fist, Nor wanted Courage for the noble Strife, And would have fought for Glory or a Wife. 150 Here too he saw a Foe who could not boast Of more than Courage and plain strength at most; “And this,” said he, “the Maiden’s Heart must gain: Success and Courage never plead in vain.” With open palm he struck, and hasten’d then To the warm Conflict of experienc’d Men; For he was train’d in both the useful Arts Of breaking Heroes’ Ribs and Women’s Hearts. Joseph tho’ patient, [now] the blow was dealt [Both] coming Shame and rising Vengeance felt. 160 “Scoundrel!” he cried, and yet for patience strove, By Nature form’d for Harmony and Love; But, urg’d by Insult of the grossest kind, He gave to Vengeance and to War his Mind. He knew his Rival’s Strength, his boasted art, And saw the soulless Crowd upon his part; He wanted Skill, he car’d not for Applause; But he had Courage and the better Cause. There was one friend of Joseph, one indeed Almost unknown and now a friend in need, 170 With whom nor Time nor Cash he deign’d to spend— The Landlord of the Bell was Joseph’s friend. But why this Love? for Francis was in Truth, His Father witness’d, [an] expensive Youth; And all he spent, as all the Green could tell,