See how good turns are rewarded! She of both is now discarded, Who to both had been so late Their support in low estate, All their comfort, and their stay-- Now of both is cast away. But the league her presence cherished, Losing its best prop, soon perished; She, that was a link to either, To keep them and it together, Being gone, the two (no wonder) That were left soon fell asunder;-- Some civilities were kept, But the heart of friendship slept; Love with hollow forms was fed, But the life of love lay dead:-- A cold intercourse they held After Mary was expelled. Two long years did intervene Since they’d either of them seen, Or by letter, any word Of their old companion heard,-- When, upon a day once walking, Of indifferent matters talking, They a female figure met;-- Martha said to Margaret, “That young maid in face does carry A resemblance strong of Mary,” Margaret, at nearer sight, Own’d her observation right; But they did not far proceed Ere they found ’twas she indeed. She--but, ah! I how changed they view her From that person which they knew her! Her fine face disease had scarr’d, And its matchless beauty marr’d:-- But enough was left to trace Mary’s sweetness--Mary’s grace. When her eye did first behold them, How they blush’d! but when she told them How on a sick bed she lay Months, while they had kept away And had no inquiries made If she were alive or dead;-- How, for want of a true friend, She was brought near to her end, And was like so to have died With no friend at her bedside;-- How the constant irritation Caused by fruitless expectation Of their coming, had extended The illness, when she might have mended,-- Then, O then, how did reflection Come on them with recollection! All that she had done for them, How it did their fault condemn! But sweet Mary, still the same, Kindly eased them of their shame; Spoke to them with accents bland, Took them friendly by the hand; Bound them both with promise fast Not to speak of troubles past; Made them on the spot declare A new league of friendship there; Which, without a word of strife, Lasted thenceforth long as life. Martha now and Margaret Strove who most should pay the debt Which they owed her, nor did vary Ever after from their Mary. [Illustration] [Illustration: MEMORY] XVIII “For gold could Memory be bought, What treasures would she not be worth! If from afar she could be brought, I’d travel for her through the earth.”