So far was well,-but Clelia thought not fit Another term is past; ten other years In various trials, troubles, views, and fears: For now she said, "They'll miss th' endearing friend, She wrote a novel, and Sir Denys said, The dedication was the best he read; But Edgeworths, Smiths, and Radcliffes so engross'd The public 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. And one poor robe through fifty fashions sent); Now with the menials crowding to the wall, She'd see, not share, the pleasures of the ball, How she too triumph'd in the years of old. To her poor friends 'tis now her pride to tell At church she points to one tall seat, and "There Touch'd by the pity he had felt before, For her Sir Denys op'd the alms-house door: "And, as they say, she is allied to some And mourn their grievous fall, and curse their rigorous fate. THE BOROUGH. 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! thou'rt a perpetual triumph, thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches, walking in a night betwixt tavern and tavern. Shakspeare. Ebrietas tibi fida comes, tibi Luxus, et atris Silius Italicus. |