late! Had I listened to his deceits, and, as the perfidious man had almost persuaded me, precipitated myself into an inextricable engagement before Maid. No great harm if you had. You'd only have bought a pig in a poke --and what then? Oh, here he comes creeping

Enter MR. H., abject.

Go to her, Mr. Hogs-Hogs-Hogsbristles-what's your name? Don't be afraid, man-don't give it up-she's not crying-only summat has made her eyes red-she has got a sty in her eye, I believe-(going).

Mel. You are not going, Betty?

Maid. Oh, madam, never mind me--I shall be back in the twinkling of a pig's whisker, as they say.

[Exit.

Mr. H. Melesinda, you behold before you a wretch who would have betrayed your confidence, but it was love that prompted him; who would have tricked you by an unworthy concealment into a participation of that disgrace which a superficial world has agreed to attach to a name-but with it you would have shared a fortune not contemptible, and a heart-but 'tis over now. That name he is content to bear alone-to go where the persecuted syllables shall be no more heard, or excite no meaning-some spot where his native tongue has never penetrated, nor any of his countrymen have landed, to plant their unfeeling satire, their brutal wit, and national ill manners-where no Englishman- (Here MELESINDA, who has been pouting during this speech, fetches a deep sigh.) Some yet undiscovered Otaheite, where witless, unapprehensive savages shall innocently pronounce the ill-fated sounds, and think them not inharmonious.

Mel. Oh!

Mr. H. Who knows but among the female natives might be found

Mel. Sir! (raising her head).

Mr. H. One who would be more kind than-some Oberea-Queen Oberea. Mel. Oh!

Mr. H. Or what if I were to seek for proofs of reciprocal esteem among unprejudiced African maids in Monomotopa?

Serv. Mr. Belvil

Enter SERVANT.

Enter BELVIL.

[Exit.

Mr. H. In Monomotopa (musing).

Bel. Heyday, Jack! what means this mortified face? nothing has happened, I hope, between this lady and you? I beg pardon, madam, but understanding my friend was with you, I took the liberty of seeking him here. Some little difference possibly which a third person can adjust-not a word - will you, madam, as this gentleman's friend, suffer me to be the arbitrator-strange !hark'ee, Jack, nothing has come out, has there?-you understand me. Oh, I guess how it is-somebody has got at your secret. You haven't blabbed it yourself, have you?-ha! ha! ha! I could find in my heart—Jack, what would you give me if I should relieve you

Mr. H. No power of man can relieve me (sighs), but it must lie at the rootgnawing at the root-here it will lie.

Bel. No power of man?-not a common man, I grant you; for instance, a subject-it's out of the power of any subject.

Mr. H. Gnawing at the root-there it will lie.

Bel. Such a thing has been known as a name to be changed; but not by a subject-(shows a Gazette).

Mr. H. Gnawing at the root (suddenly snatches the paper out of BELVIL'S hand); ha! pish! nonsense! give it me-what! (reads) promotions, bankrupts

-a great many bankrupts this week-there it will lie (lays it down, takes it up again, and reads)—" The King has been graciously pleased "-gnawing at the root-"graciously pleased to grant unto John Hogsflesh "-the devil-" Hogsflesh, Esq., of Sty Hall, in the county of Hants, his royal license and authority"-O Lord! O Lord !—" that he and his issue"-me and my issue-" may take and use the surname and arms of Bacon"-Bacon, the surname and arms of Bacon !—"in pursuance of an injunction contained in the last will and testament of Nicholas Bacon, Esq., his late uncle, as well as out of grateful respect to his memory:"-grateful respect, poor old soul ! -here's more-" and that such arms may be first duly exemplified "-they shall, I will take care of that according to the laws of arms, and recorded in the Heralds' Office."

""

Bel. Come, madam, give me leave to put my own interpretation upon your silence, and to plead for my friend, that now that only obstacle which seemed to stand in the way of your union is removed, you will suffer me to complete the happiness which my news seems to have brought him, by introducing him with a new claim to your favour, by the name of Mr. Bacon. (Takes their hands and joins them, which MELESINDA seems to give consent to with a smile.)

Mr. H. Generous Melesinda !-my dear friend—" he and his issue,"—me and my issue-O Lord!

Bel. I wish you joy, Jack, with all my heart!

Mr. H. Bacon, Bacon, Bacon - how odd it sounds! I could never be tired of hearing it. There was Lord Chancellor Bacon. Methinks I have some of the Verulam blood in me already-methinks I could look through Naturethere was Friar Bacon, a conjurer-I feel as if I could conjure too

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. Two young ladies and an old lady are at the door, inquiring if you see company, madam.

Mr. H. "Surname and arms

Mel. Show them up. --My dear Mr. Bacon, moderate your joy!

Enter three Ladies, being part of those who were at the assembly.

1st Lady. My dear Melesinda, how do you do?

2nd Lady. How do you do? We have been so concerned for you-
Old Lady. We have been so concerned-(seeing him)—Mr. Hogsflesh-

Mr. H. There's no such person - nor there never was-nor 'tis not fit there should be "surname and arms

Bel. It is true what my friend would express; we have been all in a mistake, ladies. Very true, the name of this gentleman was what you call it, but it is so no longer. The succession to the long-contested Bacon estate is at length decided, and with it my friend succeeds to the name of his deceased relative. Mr. H. "His Majesty has been graciously pleased'

1st Lady. I am sure we all join in hearty congratulation-(sighs). 2nd Lady. And wish you joy with all our hearts-(heighho!).

Old Lady. And hope you will enjoy the name and estate many years (cries).

Bel. Ha ha ha! mortify them a little, Jack.

1st Lady. Hope you intend to stay—

2nd Lady. With us some time

Old Lady. In these parts.

Mr. H. Ladies, for your congratulations I thank you; for the favours you have lavished on me, and in particular for this lady's (turning to the old Lady) good opinion, I rest your debtor. As to any future favours-(accosts them severally in the order in which he was refused by them at the assembly)

politeness; but at present, you see, I happy to respect you as a friend, but Must beg of you to be less particular

Madam, shall always acknowledge your am engaged with a partner. Always be you must not look for anything further. in your addresses to me. Ladies all, with this piece of advice, of Bath and

you,

Your ever grateful servant takes his leave.

Lay your plans surer when you plot to grieve;
See, while you kindly mean to mortify

Another, the wild arrow do not fly,

And gall yourself. For once you've been mistaken;

Your shafts have miss'd their aim-Hogsflesh has saved his Bacon!

The Wife's Trial;

OR, THE INTRUDING WIDOW.

A Dramatic Poem, founded on George Crabbe's Tale of "The Confidant."

(Blackwood's Magazine, December, 1828.)

[A couple of years after its appearance in Maga, "The Wife's Trial" was reissued among the "Few other Poems" appended to the Author's "Album Verses."]

CHARACTERS.

MR. SELBY, a Wiltshire Gentleman.

KATHERINE, Wife to Selby.

LUCY, Sister to Selby.

MRS. FRAMPTON, a Widow.
SERVANTS.

SCENE. At MR. SELBY'S House, or in the Grounds adjacent.

Selby. Do not too far mistake me, gentlest wife;
I meant to chide your virtues, not yourself,
And those too with allowance. I have not
Been blest by thy fair side with five white years
Of smooth and even wedlock, now to touch
With any strain of harshness on a string
Hath yielded me such music. 'Twas the quality
Of a too grateful nature in my Katherine,
That to the lame performance of some vows,
And common courtesies of man to wife,
Attributing too much, hath sometimes seem'd
To esteem as favours, what in that blest union
Are but reciprocal and trivial dues,

As fairly yours as mine: 'twas this I thought
Gently to reprehend.

Kath. In friendship's barter

The riches we exchange should hold some level,
And corresponding worth. Jewels for toys
Demand some thanks thrown in. You took me, sir,
To that blest haven of my peace, your bosom,
An orphan founder'd in the world's black storm
Poor, you have made me rich; from lonely maiden,
Your cherish'd and your full-accompanied wife.

Selby. But to divert the subject: Kate, too fond
I would not wrest your meanings; else that word
Accompanied, and full-accompanied too,
Might raise a doubt in some men, that their wives
Haply did think their company too long;
And over-company, we know by proof,
Is worse than no attendance.

Kath. I must guess,

You speak this of the Widow-

Selby. 'Twas a bolt

At random shot; but if it hit, believe me,

I am most sorry to have wounded you

Through a friend's side. I know not how we have swerved
From our first talk. I was to caution you

Against this fault of a too grateful nature:
Which, for some girlish obligations past,
In that relenting season of the heart,
When slightest favours pass for benefits
Of endless binding, would entail upon you
An iron slavery of obsequious duty

To the proud will of an imperious woman.

Kath. The favours are not slight to her I owe. Selby. Slight or not slight, the tribute she exacts Cancels all dues- (A voice within.)

Even now I hear her call you

In such a tone as lordliest mistresses
Expect a slave's attendance. Prithee, Kate,
Let her expect a brace of minutes or so.
Say, you are busy. Use her by degrees
To some less hard exactions.

Selby. Some toilet service-to adjust her head, Or help to stick a pin in the right place

Kath. Indeed 'twas none of these.

Selby. Or new vamp up

The tarnish'd cloak she came in. I have seen her
Demand such service from thee, as her maid,
Twice told to do it, would blush angry-red.

And pack her few clothes up. Poor fool! fond slave!
And yet my dearest Kate!-This day at least
(It is our wedding day), we spend in freedom,
And will forget our Widow.-Philip, our coach—
Why weeps my wife? You know, I promised you
An airing o'er the pleasant Hampshire downs
To the blest cottage on the green hill-side
Where first I told my love. I wonder much
If the crimson parlour hath exchanged its hue
For colours not so welcome. Faded though

It be,

It will not show less lovely than the tinge

Of this faint red, contending with the pale,

Where once the full-flush'd health gave to this cheek
An apt resemblance to the fruit's warm side

That bears my Katherine's name.—

Our carriage, Philip.

Kath. I came to tell you so, but fear'd your anger

Selby. It was ill done, though, of this Mistress Frampton-
This forward Widow. But a ride's poor loss
Imports not much. In to your chamber, love,
Where you with music may beguile the hour,
While I am tossing over dusty tomes,
Till our most reasonable friend returns.
Kath. I am all obedience.
Selby. Too obedient, Kate,

And to too many masters. I can hardly,

On such a day as this, refrain to speak

My sense of this injurious friend-this pest

This household evil-this close-clinging fiend

[Exit KATHERINE.

In rough terms to my wife. 'Death, my own servants
Controll'd above me! orders countermanded!

What next?

[Servant enters and announces the Sister.

Enter LUCY.

Sister! I know you are come to welcome

This day's return. 'Twas well done.