There he must rest sole judge of his affairs,
While they might rule exclusively in theirs.

When Gwyn his message to the teacher sent,
He fear'd his friends would show their discontent;
And prudent seem'd it to th' attendant pair,
Not all at once to show an aspect fair:

On Wisp they seem'd to look with jealous eye,
And fair Rebecca was demure and shy;
But by degrees the teacher's worth they knew,
And were so kind, they seem'd converted too.

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?

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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
To hear applause for what his skill improves,
And gives for praise, assent - - and to the Fair
He brings of pullets a delicious pair;

Thus sees a peasant, with discernment nice,
A love of power, conceit, and avarice.

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;
No friends beside he needs, and none attend
Soul, body, and estate, has each a friend;
And fair Rebecca leads a virtuous life —
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,
For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love.

Much Ado about Nothing.