And by the meeting-window let her rest; And on her stone the sacred text was seen, Which had her comfort in departing been. Dighton with joy beheld his trade advance, Yet seldom published, loth to trust to chance: Then wed a doctor's sister--poor indeed, But skill'd in works her husband could not read; Who, if he wish'd new ways of wealth to seek, Could make her half-crown pamphlet in a week: This he rejected, though without disdain. And chose the old and certain way to gain. Thus he proceeded: trade increased the while, And fortune woo'd him with perpetual smile: On early scenes he sometimes cast a thought, When on his heart the mighty change was wrought; And all the ease and comfort Converts find Was magnified in his reflecting mind: Then on the teacher's priestly pride he dwelt, That caused his freedom, but with this he felt The danger of the free--for since that day No guide had shown, no brethren join'd his way; Forsaking one, he found no second creed, But reading doubted, doubting what to read. Still, though reproof had brought some present pain, The gain he made was fair and honest gain; He laid his wares indeed in public view, But that all traders claim a right to do: By means like these, he saw his wealth increase, And felt his consequence, and dwelt in peace. Our Hero's age was threescore years and five, When he exclaim'd, "Why longer should I strive? Why more amass, who never must behold A young John Dighton to make glad the old?" (The sons he had to early graves were gone, And girls were burdens to the mind of John.) "Had I a boy, he would our name sustain, That now to nothing must return again; But what are all my profits, credit, trade, And parish honours?--folly and parade." Thus Dighton thought, and in his looks appeared Sadness, increased by much he saw and heard; The Brethren often at the shop would stay, And make their comments ere they walk'd away; They mark'd the window, fill'd in every pane With lawless prints of reputations slain; Distorted forms of men with honours graced, And our chief rulers in dirision placed: Amazed they stood, remembering well the days When to be humble was their brother's praise; When at the dwelling of their friend they stopped; To drop a word, or to receive it dropp'd; Where they beheld the prints of men renown'd, And far-famed preachers pasted all around, (Such mouths! eyes! hair! so prim! so fierce! so sleek! They look'd as speaking what is woe to speak): On these the passing brethren loved to dwell - How long they spake! how strongly! warmly! well! What power had each to dive in mysteries deep, To warm the cold, to make the harden'd weep; To lure, to fright, to soothe, to awe the soul, And listening locks to lead and to control! But now discoursing, as they linger'd near, They tempted John (whom they accused) to hear Their weighty charge--"And can the lost one feel, As in the time of duty, love, and zeal; When all were summon'd at the rising sun,