But though this spirit would on flattery feed, No praise could blind him and no arts mislead :— Of his good patron, but conceal'd his own; Their minds at first were deeply veil'd; disguise Had powers to rule and awe the vapourish mind; But not the changeful will, the wavering fear to bind : And should his conscience give him leave to dwell There he must rest sole judge of his affairs, When Gwyn his message to the teacher sent, On Wisp they seem'd to look with jealous eye, Wisp took occasion to the nymph to say, “You must be married: will you name the day?” She smiled, ." "Tis well; but should he not comply, "Is it quite safe th' experiment to try ?”. 66 66 My child," the teacher said, “who feels remorse, (And feels not he?) must wish relief of course : "And can he find it, while he fears the crime? "You must be married; will you name the time?” Glad was the patron as a man could be, Yet marvell'd too, to find his guides agree; "But what the cause ?" he cried; "'tis genuine love for me." Each found his part, and let one act describe The powers and honours of th' accordant tribe :— A man for favour to the mansion speeds, And cons his threefold task as he proceeds; To teacher Wisp he bows with humble air, And begs his interest for a barn's repair: Then for the Doctor he enquires, who loves Thus sees a peasant, with discernment nice, Lo! now the change complete: the convert Gwyn Has sold his books, and has renounced his sin; Mollet his body orders, Wisp his soul, And o'er his purse the Lady takes control; She rules a mistress, and she reigns a wife. (1) [This tale is of a coarser texture than the preceding ones, though full of acute observation and graphic delineation of ordinary characters. The hero is not a farmer turned gentleman, but a gentleman turned farmer -a conceited, active, talking, domineering sort of person-who plants and eats and drinks with great vigour-keeps a mistress, and speaks with audacious scorn of the tyranny of wives, and the impositions of priests, lawyers, and physicians. Being but a shallow fellow, however, at bottom, his confidence in his opinions declines gradually as his health decays; and being seized with some maladies in his stomach, he ends with marrying his mistress, and submitting to be triply governed by three of her confederates, in the respective characters of a quack doctor, a methodist preacher, and a projecting land steward.―JEFFREY.] TALE IV. PROCRASTINATION. Heaven witness I have been to you ever true and humble. — Henry VIII. -Gentle lady, When I did first impart my love to you, I freely told you all the wealth I had. - Merchant of Venice. The fatal time Cuts off all ceremonies and vows of love, And ample interchange of sweet discourse, Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon. Richard III. I know thee not, old man; fall to thy prayers.- Henry IV. Farewell, Thou pure impiety, thou impious purity, Much Ado about Nothing. |