Would you from Morcham cast your mental eye, And the recesses of our castle spy, You’d see Honoria, in her elbow chair, A mind at ease, thoughts unperplex’d with care; With aspect mild, explore the sacred page, Guide of her youth, and comfort of her age: In conduct prudent, and in counsel wise; Her friendship ev’ry virtuous mind must prize. Then view the pair, in bonds of Hymen blest, With little Cupid’s flutt’ring round their breast. The bliss that’s mutual, all their thoughts employ, Whose social hearts partake no selfish joy. To please each other proves their constant aim, While ev’ry act endears the tender claim. Matilda too, your notice must demand; To paint would here require a Raphael’s hand: To trace the radient beauties of her mind, Shall be a task for nobler pens assign’d. I’d rather far her little foibles scan, Though strict inspection finds no more than one. Such anxious care on others she bestows, She quite forgets what to herself she owes. Vouchsafe the charming Celia next a look, Her mind serene, and in her hand a book: Eyes, which at will, can pleasure give or pain, On stupid Humphry Clinker shine in vain. As through the hall and kitchen now you pass, Pray deign to peep among the lower class: The cook’s at work; but, madam, who can know Whether her hands or tongue more swiftly go? They’re nimble both; but diff’rent is th’ effect; One merits praise, the other disrespect. Poor Mary sighs beneath a load of woes, Hard and uneasy ev’ry turn she does: How light soe’er the task, she’ll pond’ring say, “Ah! Is there not a lion in the way?” Will seems in haste his master’s boots to clean, Old James is driving Turkeys o’er the green, Our crazy-pated dairy-maid just now Is scribbling o’er these senseless lines to you. Hark! there’s a call, O pardon what I’ve penn’d; I’m sure you’re glad my letter’s at an end. FROM _SNIPE_, A FAVOURITE DOG, TO HIS MASTER. _May, 1791._ O best of good masters, your mild disposition Perhaps may induce you to read my petition: Believe me in earnest, though acting the poet, My breast feels the smart, and mine actions do shew it.