"No, never, from this hour to part, We'll live and love so true, The sigh that rends thy constant heart Shall break thy Edwin's too." K THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION. A TALE. SECLUDED from domestic strife, Jack Book-worm led a college life; Made him the happiest man alive; Such pleasures, unalloy'd with care, Could Cupid's shaft at length transfix O had the archer ne'er come down Or Flavia been content to stop Or Jack had wanted eyes to gaze. O! -But let exclamation cease; Her presence banish'd all his peace: So with decorum all things carried, Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was-married. The raptures of the bridal night? The honey-moon like lightning flew ; Found half the charms that deck'd her face Arose from powder, shreds, or lace; But still the worst remain'd behind, face had robb'd her mind. That very Skill'd in no other arts was she But dressing, patching, repartee; And, just as humour rose or fell, By turns a slattern or a belle ; 'Tis true she dress'd with modern grace, But when at home, at board or bed, To be a dull domestic friend? Could any curtain lectures bring To decency so fine a thing? In short, by night, 'twas fits or fretting; The 'squire and captain took their stations, Jack suck'd his pipe, and often broke While all their hours were past between Thus as her faults each day were known, Or thins her lip, or points her nose; How wide her mouth, how wild her eyes; He knows not how, but so it is, Her face is grown a knowing phyz; And though her fops are wond'rous civil, He thinks her ugly as the devil. |