Trust me, our vessel shall be ably steer’d; Nor will I quit her, till the rocks are clear’d.” Allured and frighten’d, soften’d and afraid, The widow doubted, ponder’d, and obey’d. So were they wedded, and the careful man His reformation instantly began; Began his state with vigour to reform, And made a calm by laughing at the storm. 260 Th’ attendant-maiden he dismiss’d—for why? She might on him and love like his rely; She needed none to form her children’s mind— That duty nature to her care assign’d. In vain she mourn’d, it was her health he prized, And hence enforced the measures he advised; She wanted air; and walking, she was told, Was safe, was pleasant!—he the carriage sold; He found a tenant who agreed to take The boat and cottage on the useless lake; 270 The house itself had now superfluous room, And a rich lodger was induced to come. The lady wonder’d at the sudden change, That yet was pleasant, that was very strange. When every deed by her desire was done. She had no day of comfort—no, not one; When nothing moved or stopp’d at her request, Her heart had comfort, and her temper rest; For all was done with kindness—most polite Was her new lord, and she confess’d it right; 280 For now she found that she could gaily live On what the chance of common life could give: And her sick mind was cured of every ill, By finding no compliance with her will; For, when she saw that her desires were vain, She wisely thought it foolish to complain. Born for her man, she gave a gentle sigh To her lost power, and grieved not to comply; Within, without, the face of things improved, And all in order and subjection moved. 290 As wealth increased, ambition now began To swell the soul of the aspiring man. In some few years he thought to purchase land, And build a seat that Hope and Fancy plann’d; To this a name his youthful bride should give! Harriet, of course, not many years would live; Then he would farm, and every soil should show The tree that best upon the place would grow: He would, moreover, on the Bench debate On sundry questions—when a magistrate; 300 Would talk of all that to the state belongs, The rich man’s duties, and the poor man’s wrongs; He would with favourites of the people rank, And him the weak and the oppress’d should thank. ’Tis true those children, orphans then! would need Help, in a world of trouble to succeed! And they should have it—He should then possess All that man needs for earthly happiness. “Proud words, and vain!” said Doctor Young; and proud They are; and vain were by our clerk allow’d; 310 For, while he dream’d, there came both pain and cough, And fever never tamed, and bore him off; Young as he was, and planning schemes to live With more delight than man’s success can give; Building a mansion in his fancy vast, Beyond the Gothic pride of ages past!