NEXT day, when tardy Time had marked the hour; That Andrew hoped again to use his pow'r, He was not plunged in sleep, but briskly flew, His purpose with the charmer to pursue. Said he, all other things aside I've laid, This ear to finish, and to lend you aid. And I, the dame replied, was on the eve, To send and beg you not the job to leave; Above stairs let us go:--away they ran, And quickly recommenced as they began. The work so oft was smoothed, that Alice showed Some scruples lest the ear he had bestowed Should do too much, and to the wily wight, She said, so little you the labour slight, 'Twere well if ears no more than two appear; Of that, rejoined the other, never fear; I've guarded thoroughly against defects, Mistake like that shall ne'er your senses vex. THE ear howe'er was still in hand the same, When from his journey home the husband came. Saluted Alice, who with anxious look, Exclaimed,--your work how finely you forsook, And, but for neighbour Andrew's kindness here, Our child would incomplete have been--an ear, I could not let a thing remain like this, And Andrew would not be to friends remiss, But, worthy man, he left his thriving trade, And for the babe a proper ear has made. THE husband, not conceiving how his wife, Could be so weak and ignorant of life, The circumstances made her fully tell, Repeat them o'er and on each action dwell. Enraged at length, a pistol by the bed He seized and swore at once he'd shoot her dead. The belle with tears replied, howe'er she'd swerved, Such cruel treatment never she deserved. Her innocence, and simple, gentle way, At length appeared his frantick rage to lay. What injury, continued she, is done? The strictest scrutiny I would not shun; Your goods and money, ev'ry thing is right; And Andrew told me, nothing he would slight; That you would find much more than you could want; And this I hope to me you'll freely grant; If falsehood I advance, my life I'll lose; Your equity, I trust, will me excuse.