I've read your letter o'er and o'er again, Happy to find you faithful do remain, Besides forgiveness; though too much I fear, I long have made you victim to despair. You say two years with fervency I strove To keep affection, constancy, and love; But soon as crosses came upon my mind, Was careless of you, and appear'd unkind. I knew my home was neat, serene, and nice; But, ah! that home I lost, allured by vice. Soon as you fled, a different scene in view, Gone all attention soon as I lost you. The quick retort was always in my ears, You've drown'd a virtuous wife in sorrow's tears. Soon as I found all hopes to meet you fled, I pray'd I might be number'd with the dead: Oblivion's aid I oft invoked by drink, I could not meditate nor dared to think. You say it cost you tears to write to me; But they'll disperse when you a convert see. Long I've invoked a pardon from above, To make me worthy of the wife I love: Return, and till my days are at an end, I'll prove protector, guardian, and a friend. The converse delicate, the smile sincere, Will check the sigh, and stop the rising tear; Cheerful as formerly we'll pass our life, A happy husband I, and you the wife. [Picture: Decorative finis] * * * * * _Kitton_, _Printer_, _Norwich_.