Suffice it that by just degrees They reached all heights, and rose with ease; (For beauty wins its way, uncalled, And ready dupes are ne'er black-balled.) Each gambling dame she knew, and he Knew every shark of quality; From the grave cautious few who live On thoughtless youth, and living thrive, To the light train who mimic France, And the soft sons of _nonchalance_. While Jenny, now no more of use, Excuse succeeding to excuse, Grew piqued, and prudently withdrew To shilling whist, and chicken loo. Advanced to fashion's wavering head, They now, where once they followed, led. Devised new systems of delight, A-bed all day, and up all night, In different circles reigned supreme. Wives copied her, and husbands him; Till so divinely life ran on, So separate, so quite _bon-ton_, That meeting in a public place, They scarcely knew each other's face. At last they met, by his desire, A _tete-a-tete_ across the fire; Looked in each other's face awhile, With half a tear, and half a smile. The ruddy health, which wont to grace With manly glow his rural face, Now scarce retained its faintest streak; So sallow was his leathern cheek. She lank, and pale, and hollow-eyed, With rouge had striven in vain to hide What once was beauty, and repair The rapine of the midnight air. Silence is eloquence, 'tis said. Both wished to speak, both hung the head. At length it burst.----''Tis time,' he cries, 'When tired of folly, to be wise. Are you too tired?'--then checked a groan. She wept consent, and he went on: 'How delicate the married life! You love your husband, I my wife! Not even satiety could tame, Nor dissipation quench the flame. 'True to the bias of our kind, 'Tis happiness we wish to find. In rural scenes retired we sought In vain the dear, delicious draught, Though blest with love's indulgent store, We found we wanted something more. 'Twas company, 'twas friends to share The bliss we languished to declare. 'Twas social converse, change of scene, To soothe the sullen hour of spleen; Short absences to wake desire, And sweet regrets to fan the fire. 'We left the lonesome place; and found, In dissipation's giddy round, A thousand novelties to wake The springs of life and not to break. As, from the nest not wandering far, In light excursions through the air, The feathered tenants of the grove Around in mazy circles move, Sip the cool springs that murmuring flow, Or taste the blossom on the bough. We sported freely with the rest; And still, returning to the nest, In easy mirth we chatted o'er The trifles of the day before. 'Behold us now, dissolving quite In the full ocean of delight; In pleasures every hour employ, Immersed in all the world calls joy; Our affluence easing the expense Of splendour and magnificence; Our company, the exalted set Of all that's gay, and all that's great: Nor happy yet!--and where's the wonder!-- We live, my dear, too much asunder.'