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But Edgeworths, Smiths and Radcliffes so engross'd The dublic ear, that all her pains were lost.

To keep a toy-shop was attempt the last,

There too she fail'd, and schemes and hopes were past.
Now friendless, sick and old, and wanting bread,

The first-born tears of fallen pride were shed-
True, bitter tears; and yet that wounded pride,
Among the poor for poor distinctions sigh'd.
Though now her tales were to her audience fit;
Though loud her tones, and vulgar grown her wit;
Though now her dress-(but let me not explain
The piteous patch-work of the needy-vain,
The flirtish form to coarse materials lent,

And one poor robe through fifty fashions sent);
Though all within was sad, without was mean,---
Still 'twas her wish, her comfort to be seen:
She would to plays on lowest terms resort,
Where once her box was to the beaux a court;
And, strange delight! to that same house, where she
Join'd in the dance, all gaiety and glee,

Now with the menials crowding to the wall,
She'd see, not share, the pleasures of the ball,
And with degraded Vanity unfold,
How she too triumph'd in the years of old.
To her poor friends 'tis now her pride to tell
On what an height she stood before she fell;

At church she points to one tall seat, and "There
"We sat," she cries, " when my papa was mayor."

Not quite correct in what she now relates,
She alters persons, and she forges dates;
And finding Memory's weaker help decay'd,
She boldly calls Invention to her aid.

Touch'd by the pity he had felt before,

For her sir Denys op'd the alms-house door;
"With all her faults," he said, "the woman knew
"How to distinguish-had a manner too;

"And, as they say, she is allied to some
"In decent station-let the creature come."

Here she and Blaney meet, and take their view
Of all the pleasures they would still pursue:
Hour after hour they sit, and nothing hide
Of vices past; their follies are their pride;
What to the sober and the cool are crimes;
They boast-exulting in those happy times;
The darkest deeds no indignation raise,
The purest virtue never wins their praise;
But still they on their ancient joys dilate,
Still with regret departed glories state,

And mourn their grievous fall, and curse their rigorous

fate.

LETTER XVI.

INHABITANTS OF THE ALMS-HOUSE.

BENBOW.

Thou art the knight of the burning lamp-If thou wast any way given to virtue, I would swear by thy face; my oath should be by this fire. Oh! thour'rt a perpetual triumph, thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches, walking in a night betwixt tavern and tavern,

Ebrietas tibi fida comes, tibi luxus, et atris
Circa te semper volitans infamia pennis.

Shakspeare.

Silius Italicus.

BENBOW.'

An improper companion for the badgemen of the alms-house.-He resembles Bardolph.-Left in trade by his father.-Contracts useless friendships.-His friends drink with him, and employ others.-Called worthy and honest! Why.-Effect of wine on the mind of man.-Benbow's common subject-the praise of departed friends and patrons Squire Asgill, at the Grange: His manners, servants, friends.-True to his church: ought therefore to be spared.-His son's different conduct.-Vexation of the father's spirit if admitted to see the alteration.-Captain Dowling, a boon companion, ready to drink at all times, and with any company; famous in his club-room-His easy departure.-Dolly Murrey, a maiden advanced in years: abides by ratafia and cards. Her free manners.-Her skill in the game.Her preparation and death.-Benbow, how interrupted: his submission.

LETTER XVI.

INHABITANTS OF THE ALMS-HOUSE.

BENBOW.

SEE! yonder badgeman, with that glowing face,
A meteor shining in this sober place;

Vast sums were paid, and many years were past,
Ere gems so rich around their radiance cast!
Such was the fiery front that Bardolph wore,
Guiding his master to the tavern door;
There first that meteor rose, and there alone,
In its due place, the rich effulgence shone ;
But this strange fire the seat of peace invades,
And shines portentous in these solemn shades.

Benbow, a boon companion, long approv'd

By jovial sets, and (as he thought) belov'd,
Was judged as one to joy and friendship prone,
And deemed injurious to himself alone:
Gen'rous and free, he paid but small regard

To trade, and fail'd; and some declar'd "'twas hard :"
These ere his friends-his foes conceived the ase

Of common kind ;-he sought and found disgrace;

X

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