His worldly wealth she sought, and quickly grew Pleased with her search, and happy in the view Of vessels freighted with abundant stores, Of rooms whose treasures press'd the groaning floors; And he of clerks and servants could display A little army on a public day: Was this a man like needy bard to speak Of balmy lip, bright eye, or rosy cheek? The sum appointed for her widow'd state, Fix'd by her friend, excited no debate; Then the kind lady gave her hand and heart, And, never finding, never dealt with art: In his engagements she had no concern; He taught her not, nor had she wish to learn; On him in all occasions she relied, His word her surety, and his worth her pride. When ship was launch'd, and merchant Paul had share, A bounteous feast became the lady's care; Who then her entry to the dinner made, In costly raiment, and with kind parade. Call'd by this duty on a certain day, And robed to grace it in a rich array, Forth from her room, with measured step she came, Proud of th' event, and stately look'd the dame; The husband met her at his study door - "This way, my love--one moment, and no more: A trifling business--you will understand - The law requires that you affix your hand; But first attend, and you shall learn the cause Why forms like these have been prescribed by laws." Then from his chair a man in black arose, And with much quickness hurried off his prose - That "Ellen Paul, the wife, and so forth, freed From all control, her own the act and deed, And forasmuch"--said she, "I've no distrust, For he that asks it is discreet and just; Our friends are waiting--where am I to sign? - There?--Now be ready when we meet to dine." This said, she hurried off in great delight, The ship was launch'd, and joyful was the night. Now, says the reader, and in much disdain, This serious Merchant was a rogue in grain; A treacherous wretch, an artful sober knave, And ten times worse for manners cool and grave: And she devoid of sense, to set her hand To scoundrel deeds she could not understand. Alas! 'tis true; and I in vain had tried To soften crime that cannot be denied; And might have labour'd many a tedious verse The latent cause of mischief to rehearse: Be it confess'd, that long, with troubled look, This Trader view'd a huge accompting-book; (His former marriage for a time delay'd The dreaded hour, the present lent its aid;) But he too clearly saw the evil day, And put the terror, by deceit, away; Thus, by connecting with his sorrows crime, He gain'd a portion of uneasy time. - All this too late the injur'd Lady saw: What law had given, again she gave to law; His guilt, her folly--these at once impress'd Their lasting feelings on her guileless breast. "Shame I can bear," she cried, "and want sustain, But will not see this guilty wretch again:" For all was lost, and he with many a tear Confess'd the fault--she turning scorn'd to hear. To legal claims he yielded all his worth.