That Fancy loaths and Worms themselves disdain. But see! the Master-Mourner makes his way, To end his Office for the coffin’d Clay; Pleas’d that our Rustic Men and Maids behold His Plate like Silver, and his Studds like Gold; As they approach to spell the Age, the Name, And all the Titles of th’ illustrious Dame.-- This as (my Duty done) some Scholar read, A Village-Father look’d disdain and said: “Away, my Friends! why take such pains to know, “What some brave Marble soon in Church shall show: “Where not alone her gracious Name shall stand, “But how she liv’d the Blessing of the Land; “How much we all deplor’d the noble Dead, “What Groans we utter’d and what Tears we shed; “Tears, true as those, which in the sleepy Eyes “Of weeping Cherubs on the Stone shall rise: “Tears, true as those, which, ere she found her Grave, “The noble _Lady_ to our Sorrows gave.”-- Down by the Church-way-Walk and where the Brook Winds round the Chancel like a Shepherd’s Crook; In that small House, with those green Pales before, Where Jasmine trails on either side the Door; Where those dark Shrubs that now grow wild at will, Were clipt in form and tantaliz’d with skill; Where Cockles blanch’d and Pebbles neatly spread, Form’d shining Borders for the Larkspurs’ Bed;-- There liv’d a _Lady_, wise, austere and nice, Who shew’d her Virtue by her Scorn of Vice; In the dear Fashions of her Youth she dress’d, A pea-green _Joseph_ was her favourite Vest; Erect she stood, she walk’d with stately Mien, Tight was her length of Stays and she was tall and lean. There long she liv’d in Maiden-state immur’d, From Looks of Love and treacherous Man secur’d: Though Evil-fame--(but that was long before) Had blown her dubious Blast at _Catharine_’s Door: A Captain thither, rich from _India_ came, And though a Cousin call’d, it touch’d her Fame; Her annual Stipend rose from his Behest, And all the long-priz’d Treasures, she possess’d:-- If aught like Joy a while appear’d to stay, In that stern Face and chase those Frowns away; ’Twas when her Treasures she dispos’d for view, And heard the Praises, to their Splendour due; Silks beyond Price, so rich they’d stand alone, And Diamonds blazing on the buckled Zone; Rows of rare Pearls by curious Workmen set, And Bracelets fair in Box of glossy Jet; Bright polish’d Amber precious from its Size, Or forms, the fairest Fancy could devise; Her Drawers of Cedar shut with secret Springs, Conceal’d the Watch of Gold and rubied Rings; Letters, long Proofs of Love and Verses fine Round the pink’d Rims of crisped Valentine. Her China-Closet, cause of daily Care, For Woman’s Wonder held her pencill’d Ware; That pictur’d Wealth of _China_ and _Japan_, Like its cold Mistress, shunn’d the Eye of Man.