Was with her friend dejected and afraid; 240 Sad her Conjectures, and she hasten’d on Till Strength and Life and Thought and Hope were gone. A fallen Tree receiv’d her, and she wept, Till Nature fainted and Sensation slept.— “Arise, my Charmer, Mistress of my Heart; Share in my Joy, and never will we part! Thine old pretender has presum’d to try Our right in Battle—we awhile must fly. Come then, my Beauty; and to-morrow’s Sun, That shews thee lovely, shall behold us one.” 250 Affrighted Susan heard th’ imperfect boast; “And Joseph dead?”—“Disabled, love, at most. But, tho’ no Laws could my fair Deeds condemn, Their Laws have agents, and I fly from them. The Man will live, but he demands his Bed, And thy kind Father will support his Head; [Meanwhile], sweet Susan, shall thy Charms repose In Arms destructive only to our foes.” “Injur’d and dying!” said the Maid, “and I Th’ accursed Cause! Go, Man of Terror, fly! 260 I dream’d of one like thee, but he was kind And did no Murder! Go, thy Safety find! Where is my Father?” and, of Soul bereft, She rose and sought the Cottage she had left. In vain the Youth intreated—vainly tried Alarm; his Words rejected or despised. Yet still he follow’d, but at Distance saw The Father’s Cot that forc’d him to withdraw. Borne to his Bed, th’ unhappy Joseph found The wounded Mind inflam’d his Body’s wound; 270 Deeply he griev’d to think a Youth so vile And so deprav’d must win his Susan’s smile; [That] this vindictive Stroke should Victory gain And all his Hope and Courage be in vain! “And is it then a World where none can trust On Truth and Virtue—’tis a World unjust!” Sorely he griev’d, till Sleep a short suspense Gave to his Sorrow and overcame the Sense. E’en in his Dream he saw his Rival blest With the false Maid, and anguish broke his rest— 280 Anguish no more, for watchful at his bed He saw the Maid, by genuine pity led. * * * * *