When want drew nigh, his threat’ning speed was stopp’d, Some virgin aunt, some childless uncle dropped; In all his threats I sought expedients new, And my last, best resource was found in you.” Silent and sad the wife beheld her doom, And sat her down to see the ruin come, 510 And meet the ills that rise where money fails— Debts, threats and duns, bills, bailiffs, writs and jails. These was she spared; ere yet by want oppress’d, Came one more fierce than bailiff in arrest: Amid a scene where Pleasure never came, Though never ceased the mention of his name, The husband’s heated blood received the breath Of strong disease, that bore him to his death. Her all collected,—whether great or small The sum, I know not, but collected all— 520 The widow’d lady to her cot retired, And there she lives delighted and admired. Civil to all, compliant and polite, } Disposed to think, “whatever is, is right,” } She wears the widow’s weeds, she gives the widow’s mite. } At home awhile, she in the autumn finds The sea an object for reflecting minds, And change for tender spirits; there she reads, And weeps in comfort in her graceful weeds. What gives our tale its moral? Here we find 530 That wives like this are not for rule design’d Nor yet for blind submission: happy they, Who while they feel it pleasant to obey, Have yet a kind companion at their side } Who in their journey will his power divide, } Or yield the reins, and bid the lady guide; } Then points the wonders of the way, and makes The duty pleasant that she undertakes; He shows her objects as they move along, And gently rules the movements that are wrong: 540 He tells her all the skilful driver’s art, And smiles to see how well she acts her part; Nor praise denies to courage or to skill, In using power that he resumes at will. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK XVIII. _ELLEN._ A Morning Ride—A Purchase of the Squire—The Way to it described—The former Proprietor—Richard’s Return—Inquiries respecting a Lady whom he had seen—Her History related—Her Attachment to a Tutor—They are parted—Impediments removed—How removed in vain—Fate of the Lover—Of Ellen. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK XVIII. _ELLEN._