Before her reason could exert its power; To her all seem'd mysterious, all allied To avarice, meanness, folly, craft, and pride; Wearied with thought, she breathed the garden's air, Then came the laughing Lass, and join'd her thore. "My sweetest friend has dwelt with us a week, And does she love us? be sincere and speak; My Aunt you cannot--Lord! how I should hate To be like her, all misery and state; Proud, and yet envious, she disgusted sees All who are happy, and who look at ease. Let friendship bind us, I will quickly show Some favourites near us you'll be bless'd to know; My aunt forbids it--but, can she expect, To soothe her spleen, we shall ourselves neglect? Jane and the Widow were to watch and stay My free-born feet; I watch'd as well as they: Lo! what is this?--this simple key explores The dark recess that holds the Spinster's stores: And, led by her ill star, I chanced to see Where Issop keeps her stock of ratafie; Used in the hours of anger and alarm, It makes her civil, and it keeps her warm: Thus bless'd with secrets both would choose to hide, Their fears now grant me what their scorn denied. "My freedom thus by their assent secured, Bad as it is, the place may be endured; And bad it is, but her estates, you know, And her beloved hoards, she must bestow; So we can slily our amusements take, And friends of demons, if they help us, make." "Strange creatures these," thought Jesse, half inclined To smile at one malicious and yet kind; Frank and yet cunning, with a heart to love And malice prompt--the serpent and the dove; Here could she dwell? or could she yet depart? Could she be artful? could she bear with art? - This splendid mansion gave the cottage grace, She thought a dungeon was a happier place; And Colin pleading, when he pleaded best, Wrought not such sudden change in Jesse's breast. The wondering maiden, who had only read Of such vile beings, saw them now with dread; Safe in themselves--for nature has design'd The creature's poison harmless to the kind; But all beside who in the haunts are found Must dread the poison, and must feel the wound. Days full of care, slow weary weeks pass'd on, Eager to go, still Jesse was not gone; Her time in trifling, or in tears, she spent, She never gave, she never felt, content: The Lady wonder'd that her humble guest Strove not to please, would neither lie nor jest; She sought no news, no scandal would convey, But walk'd for health, and was at church to pray: All this displeased, and soon the Widow cried, "Let me be frank--I am not satisfied; You know my wishes, I your judgment trust; You can be useful, Jesse, and you must: Let me be plainer, child--I want an ear, When I am deaf, instead of mine to hear; When mine is sleeping let your eye awake; When I observe not, observation take: Alas! I rest not on my pillow laid, Then threat'ning whispers make my soul afraid; The tread of strangers to my ear ascends, Fed at my cost, the minions of my friends;