Ere yet the choice be made, on choice debate; But, having chosen, dally not with fate. While yet to wait the pair were half content, And half disposed their purpose to repent, A spinster-aunt, in some great baron’s place, Would see a damsel, pride of all her race; 220 And Fanny, flatter’d by the matron’s call, Obey’d her aunt, and long’d to see the Hall. For halls and castles in her fancy wrought, And she accounts of love and wonder sought; There she expected strange events to learn, And take in tender secrets fond concern; There she expected lovely nymphs to view, } Perhaps to hear and meet their lovers too; } The Julias, tender souls! the Henrys kind and true. } There she expected plottings to detect, 230 And—but I know not what she might expect— All she was taught in books to be her guide, And all that nature taught the nymph beside. Now that good dame had in the castle dwelt So long that she for all its people felt; She kept her sundry keys, and ruled o’er all, Female and male, domestics in the hall; By her lord trusted, worthy of her trust; Proud but obedient, bountiful but just. She praised her lucky stars, that in her place 240 She never found neglect, nor felt disgrace; To do her duty was her soul’s delight, } This her inferiors would to theirs excite, } This her superiors notice and requite; } To either class she gave the praises due, And still more grateful as more favour’d grew. Her lord and lady were of peerless worth, In power unmatch’d, in glory and in birth; And such the virtue of the noble race, It reach’d the meanest servant in the place. 250 All, from the chief attendant on my lord To the groom’s helper, had her civil word; From Miss Montregor, who the ladies taught, To the rude lad who in the garden wrought; From the first favourite to the meanest drudge, Were no such women, heaven should be her judge; Whatever stains were theirs, let them reside In that pure place, and they were mundified; The sun of favour on their vileness shone, And all their faults like morning mists were gone. 260 There was Lord Robert! could she have her choice, From the world’s masters he should have her voice; So kind and gracious in his noble ways, It was a pleasure speaking in his praise; And Lady Catharine—O! a prince’s pride Might by one smile of hers be gratified; With her would monarchs all their glory share, And in her presence banish all their care. Such was the matron, and to her the maid Was by her lover carefully convey’d. 270 When William first the invitation read It some displeasure in his spirit bred; Not that one jealous thought the man possess’d: He was by fondness, not by fear, distress’d; But, when his Fanny to his mind convey’d The growing treasures of the ancient maid; The thirty years, come June, of service past;