He never seem’d to taste of earthly joy, Never to live on earth, but ever strove To gain some tidings of a world above. “Parted from him, I found no more to please; Ease was my object, and I dwelt in ease; And thus in quiet, not perhaps content, A year in wedlock, lingering time! was spent. “One night I slept not, but I courted sleep, And forced my thoughts on tracks they could not keep; 570 Till nature, wearied in the strife, reposed, And deep forgetfulness my wanderings closed. “My lord was absent—distant from the bed, A pendent lamp its soften’d lustre shed; But there was light that chased away the gloom, And brought to view each object in the room: These I observed ere yet I sunk in sleep, That, if disturb’d not, had been long and deep. “I was awaken’d by some being nigh, It seem’d some voice, and gave a timid cry— 580 When sounds, that I describe not, slowly broke On my attention——‘Be composed, and look!’— I strove, and I succeeded; look’d with awe, But yet with firmness, and my brother saw. “George, why that smile?—By all that God has done, } By the great Spirit, by the blessed Son, } By the one holy Three, by the thrice holy One, } I saw my brother—saw him by my bed, And every doubt in full conviction fled!— It was his own mild spirit—He awhile 590 Waited my calmness with benignant smile; So softly shines the veiled sun, till past The cloud, and light upon the world is cast. That look composed and soften’d I survey’d, And met the glance fraternal less afraid; Though in those looks was something of command, And traits of what I fear’d to understand. “Then spoke the spirit—George, I pray, attend— ‘First let all doubts of thy religion end— The word reveal’d is true: inquire no more; 600 Believe in meekness, and with thanks adore; Thy priest attend, but not in all rely, And to objectors seek for no reply: Truth, doubt, and error, will be mix’d below— Be thou content the greater truths to know, And in obedience rest thee—For thy life Thou needest counsel—now a happy wife, A widow soon! and then, my sister, then Think not of marriage, think no more of men;— Life will have comforts; thou wilt much enjoy 610 Of moderate good, then do not this destroy; Fear much, and wed no more; by passion led, } Shouldst thou again’—Art thou attending?—‘wed, } Care in thy ways will growl, and anguish haunt thy bed. } A brother’s warning on thy heart engrave: Thou art a mistress—then be not a slave! Shouldst thou again that hand in fondness give, What life of misery art thou doom’d to live! How wilt thou weep, lament, implore, complain! } How wilt thou meet derision and disdain! 620} And pray to heaven in doubt, and kneel to man in vain! } Thou read’st of woes to tender bosoms sent— Thine shall with tenfold agony be rent;