Tales

Tales

Transcribed by Mark Sherwood, e-mail: mark.sherwood@btinternet.com TALES, by GEORGE CRABBE (1754-1832) {1} TALE I. THE DUMB ORATORS; OR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY. With fair round belly, with good capon lined, With eyes severe - Full of wise saws and modern instances. SHAKESPEARE, As You Like It. Deep shame hath struck me dumb. King John. He gives the bastinado with his tongue; Our ears are cudgelld. King John. . . . . . . . Lets kill all the lawyers; Now show yourselves men; tis for liberty: We will not leave one lord or gentleman. 2 Henry VI. And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Twelfth Night. ---------------------- That all men would be cowards if they dare, Some men we know have courage to declare; And this the life of many a hero shows, That, like the tide, mans courage ebbs and flows: With friends and gay companions round them, then Men boldly speak and have the hearts of men; Who, with opponents seated miss the aid Of kind applauding looks, and grow afraid; Like timid travelers in the night, they fear Th assault of foes, when not a friend is near. In contest mighty, and of conquest proud, Was Justice Bolt, impetuous, warm, and loud; His fame, his prowess all the country knew, And disputants, with one so fierce, were few: He was a younger son, for law designd, With dauntless look and persevering mind; While yet a clerk, for disputation famed, No efforts tired him, and no conflicts tamed. Scarcely he bade his masters desk adieu, When both his brothers from the world withdrew. An ample fortune he from them possessed, And was with saving care and prudence blessd. Now would he go and to the country give Example how an English squire should live; How bounteous, yet how frugal man may be, By well-orderd hospitality; He would the rights of all so well maintain. That none should idle be, and none complain. All this and more he purposed - and what man Could do, he did to realise his plan; But time convinced him that we cannot keep A breed of reasoners like a flock of sheep; For they, so far from following as we lead, Make that a cause why they will not proceed. Man will not follow where a rule is shown, But loves to take a method of his own: Explain the way with all your care and skill, This will he quit, if but to prove he will. - Yet had our Justice honour - and the crowd, Awed by his presence, their respect avowd. In later years he found his heart incline, More than in youth, to genrous food and wine; But no indulgence checkd the powerful love He felt to teach, to argue, and reprove. Meetings, or public calls, he never missd - To dictate often, always to assist. Oft he the clergy joind, and not a cause Pertaind to them but he could quote the laws; He upon tithes and residence displayd A fund of knowledge for the hearers aid; And could on glebe and farming, wool and grains A long discourse, without a pause, maintain. To his experience and his native sense He joind a bold imperious eloquence; The grave, stern look of men informd and wise, A full command of feature, heart, and eyes, An awe-compelling frown, and fear-inspiring size. When at the table, not a guest was seen With appetite so lingering, or so keen; But when the outer man no more required, The inner waked, and he was man inspired. His subjects then were those, a subject true Presents in fairest form to public view; Of church and state, of law, with mighty strength Of words he spoke, in speech of mighty length: And now, into the vale of years declined, He hides too little of the monarch-mind: He kindles anger by untimely jokes, And opposition by contempt provokes; Mirth he suppresses by his awful frown, And humble spirits, by disdain, keeps down; Blamed by the mild, approved by the severe, The prudent fly him, and the valiant fear. For overbearing is his proud discourse, And overwhelming of his voice the force; And overpowering is he when he shows What floats upon a mind that always overflows. This ready man at every meeting rose, Something to hint, determine, or propose; And grew so fond of teaching, that he taught Those who instruction needed not or sought: Happy our hero, when he could excite Some thoughtless talker to the wordy fight: Let him a subject at his pleasure choose, Physic or law, religion or the muse; On all such themes he was prepared to shine, - Physician, poet, lawyer, and divine. Hemmd in by some tough argument, borne down By press of language and the awful frown, In vain for mercy shall the culprit plead; His crime is past, and sentence must proceed: Ah! suffering man, have patience, bear thy woes - For lo! the clock - at ten the Justice goes. This powerful man, on business, or to please A curious taste, or weary grown of ease, On a long journey travelled many a mile Westward, and halted midway in our isle; Content to view a city large and fair, Though none had notice - what a man was there! Silent two days, he then began to long Again to try a voice so loud and strong; To give his favourite topics some new grace, And gain some glory in such distant place; To reap some present pleasure, and to sow Seeds of fair fame, in after-time to grow: Here will men say, We heard, at such an hour, The best of speakers - wonderful his power. Inquiry made, he found that day would meet A learned club, and in the very street: Knowledge to gain and give, was the design; To speak, to hearken, to debate, and dine: This pleased our traveller, for he felt his force In either way, to eat or to discourse. Nothing more easy than to gain access To men like these, with his polite address: So he succeeded, and first lookd around, To view his objects and to take his ground; And therefore silent chose awhile to sit, Then enter boldly by some lucky hit; Some observation keen or stroke severe, To cause some wonder or excite some fear. Now, dinner past, no longer he supprest His strong dislike to be a silent guest; Subjects and words were now at his command - When disappointment frownd on all he plannd; For, hark! - he heard amazed, on every side, His church insulted and her priests belied; The laws reviled, the ruling power abused, The land derided, and its foes excused: - He heard and ponderd - What, to men so vile, Should be his language? - For his threatning style They were too many; - if his speech were meek, They would despise such poor attempts to speak: At other times with every word at will, He now sat lost, perplexd, astonishd, still. Here were Socinians, Deists, and indeed All who, as foes to Englands Church, agreed; But still with creeds unlike, and some without a creed: Here, too, fierce friends of liberty he saw, Who ownd no prince and who obey no law; There were reformers of each different sort, Foes to the laws, the priesthood, and the court; Some on their favourite plans alone intent, Some purely angry and malevolent: The rash were proud to blame their countrys laws; The vain, to seem supporters of a cause; One calld for change, that he would dread to see; Another sighd for Gallic liberty! And numbers joining with the forward crew, For no one reason - but that numbers do. How, said the Justice, can this trouble rise, This shame and pain, from creatures I despise? And Conscience answerd - The prevailing cause Is thy delight in listening to applause; Here, thou art seated with a tribe, who spurn Thy favourite themes, and into laughter turn Thy fears and wishes: silent and obscure, Thyself, shalt thou the long harangue endure; And learn, by feeling, what it is to force On thy unwilling friends the long discourse: What though thy thoughts be just, and these, it seems, Are traitors projects, idiots empty schemes; Yet minds, like bodies, crammd, reject their food, Nor will be forced and tortured for their good! At length, a sharp, shrewd, sallow man arose, And beggd he briefly might his mind disclose; It was his duty, in these worst of times, Tinform the governd of their rulers crimes: This pleasant subject to attend, they each Prepare to listen, and forbore to teach. Then voluble and fierce the wordy man Through a long chain of favourite horrors ran: - First of the Church, from whose enslaving power He was deliverd, and he blessd the hour; Bishops and deans, and prebendaries all, He said, were cattle fattning in the stall; Slothful and pursy, insolent and mean, Were every bishop, prebendary, dean, And wealthy rector: curates, poorly paid, Were only dull; - he would not them upbraid. From priests he turnd to canons, creeds, and prayers, Rubrics and rules, and all our Church affairs; Churches themselves, desk, pulpit, altar, all The Justice reverenced - and pronounced their fall. Then from religion Hammond turnd his view To give our Rulers the correction due; Not one wise action had these triflers plannd; There was, it seemd, no wisdom in the land, Save in this patriot tribe, who meet at times To show the statesmans errors and his crimes. Now here was Justice Bolt compelld to sit, To hear the deists scorn, the rebels wit; The fact mis-stated, the envenomd lie, And, staring spell-bound, made not one reply. Then were our Laws abused - and with the laws, All who prepare, defend, or judge a cause: We have no lawyer whom a man can trust, Proceeded Hammond - if the laws were just; But they are evil; tis the savage state Is only good, and ours sophisticate! See! the free creatures in their woods and plains, Where without laws each happy monarch reigns, King of himself - while we a number dread, By slaves commanded and by dunces led: Oh, let the name with either state agree - Savage our own well name, and civil theirs shall be. The silent Justice still astonishd sat, And wonderd much whom he was gazing at; Twice he essayd to speak - but in a cough, The faint, indignant, dying speech went off: But who is this? thought he - a demon vile, With wicked meaning and a vulgar style: Hammond they call him: they can give the name Of man to devils. - Why am I so tame? Why crush I not the viper? - Fear replied, Watch him awhile, and let his strength be tried: He will be foild, if man; but if his aid Be from beneath, tis well to be afraid. We are calld free! said Hammond - doleful times, When rulers add their insult to their crimes; For should our scorn expose each powerful vice, It would be libel, and we pay the price. Thus with licentious words the man went on, Proving that liberty of speech was gone; That all were slaves - nor had we better chance For better times, than as allies to France. Loud groand the Stranger - Why, he must relate, And ownd, In sorrow for his countrys fate; Nay, she were safe, the ready man replied, Might patriots rule her, and could reasoners guide; When all to vote, to speak, to teach, are free, Whateer their creeds or their opinions be; When books of statutes are consumed in flames, And courts and copyholds are empty names: Then will be times of joy - but ere they come, Havock, and war, and blood must be our doom. The man here paused - then loudly for Reform He calld, and haild the prospect of the storm: The wholesome blast, the fertilizing flood - Peace gaind by tumult, plenty bought with blood: Sharp means, he ownd; but when the lands disease Asks cure complete, no medcines are like these. Our Justice now, more led by fear than rage, Saw it in vain with madness to engage; With imps of darkness no man seeks to fight, Knaves to instruct, or set deceivers right: Then as the daring speech denounced these woes, Sick at the soul, the grieving Guest arose; Quick on the board his ready cash he threw, And from the demons to his closet flew: There when secured, he prayd with earnest seal, That all they wishd these patriot-souls might feel; Let them to France, their darling country, haste, And all the comforts of a Frenchman taste; Let them his safety, freedom, pleasure know, Feel all their rulers on the land bestow; And be at length dismissd by one unerring blow, - Not hackd and hewd by one afraid to strike, But shorn by that which shears all men alike; Nor, as in Britain, let them curse delay Of law, but borne without a form away - Suspected, tried, condemnd, and carted in a day; Oh! let them taste what they so much approve, These strong fierce freedoms of the land they love. {2} Home came our hero, to forget no more The fear he felt and ever must deplore: For though he quickly joind his friends again, And could with decent force his themes maintain, Still it occurrd that, in a luckless time, He faild to fight with heresy and crime; It was observed his words were not so strong, His tones so powerful, his harangues so long, As in old times - for he would often drop The lofty look, and of a sudden stop; When conscience whisperd, that he once was still, And let the wicked triumph at their will; And therefore now, when not a foe was near, He had no right so valiant to appear. Some years had passd, and he perceived his fears Yield to the spirit of his earlier years - When at a meeting, with his friends beside, He saw an object that awaked his pride; His shame, wrath, vengeance, indignation - all Mans harsher feelings did that sight recall. For, lo! beneath him fixd, our Man of Law That lawless man the Foe of Order saw; Once feard, now scornd; once dreaded, now abhorrd: A wordy man, and evil every word: Again he gazed - It is, said he the same Caught and secure: his master owes him shame; So thought our hero, who each instant found His courage rising, from the numbers round. As when a felon has escaped and fled, So long, that law conceives the culprit dead; And back recalld her myrmidons, intent On some new game, and with a stronger scent; Till she beholds him in a place, where none Could have conceived the culprit would have gone; There he sits upright in his seat, secure, As one whose conscience is correct and pure; This rouses anger for the old offence, And scorn for all such seeming and pretence: So on this Hammond lookd our hero bold, Remembring well that vile offence of old; And now he saw the rebel dard tintrude Among the pure, the loyal, and the good; The crime provokd his wrath, the folly stirrd his blood: Nor wonder was it, if so strange a sight Caused joy with vengeance, terror with delight; Terror like this a tiger might create, A joy like that to see his captive state, At once to know his force and then decree his fate. Hammond, much praised by numerous friends, was come To read his lectures, so admired at home; Historic lectures, where he loved to mix His free plain hints on modern politics: Here, he had heard, that numbers had design, Their business finishd, to sit down and dine; This gave him pleasure, for he judged it right To show by day that he could speak at night. Rash the design - for he perceived, too late, Not one approving friend beside him sate; The greater number, whom he traced around, Were men in black, and he conceived they frownd. I will not speak, he thought; no pearls of mine Shall be presented to this herd of swine; Not this availd him, when he cast his eye On Justice Bolt; he could not fight, nor fly: He saw a man to whom he gave the pain, Which now he felt must be returnd again; His conscience told him with what keen delight He, at that time, enjoyd a strangers fright; That stranger now befriended - he alone, For all his insult, friendless, to atone; Now he could feel it cruel that a heart Should be distressd, and none to take its part; Though one by one, said Pride, I would defy Much greater men, yet meeting every eye, I do confess a fear - but he will pass me by. Vain hope! the Justice saw the foes distress, With exultation he could not suppress; He felt the fish was hookd - and so forbore, In playful spite to draw it to the shore. Hammond lookd round again; but none were near, With friendly smile to still his growing fear; But all above him seemd a solemn row Of priests and deacons, so they seemd below; He wonderd who his right-hand man might be - Vicar of Holt cum Uppingham was he; And who the man of that dark frown possessd - Rector of Bradley and of Barton-west; A pluralist, he growld - but checkd the word, That warfare might not, by his zeal, be stirrd. But now began the man above to show Fierce looks and threatnings to the man below; Who had some thoughts his peace by flight to seek - But how then lecture, if he dard not speak! - Now as the Justice for the war prepared, He seemd just then to question if he dared: He may resist, although his power be small, And growing desperate may defy us all; One dog attack, and he prepares for flight - Resist another, and he strives to bite; Nor can I say, if this rebellious cur Will fly for safety, or will scorn to stir. Alarmd by this, he lashd his soul to rage, Burnd with strong shame, and hurried to engage. As a male turkey straggling on the green, When by fierce harriers, terriers, mongrels seen, He feels the insult of the noisy train And skulks aside, though moved by much disdain; But when that turkey, at his own barn-door, Sees one poor straying puppy and no more, (A foolish puppy who had left the pack, Thoughtless what foe was threatning at his back) He moves about, as ship prepared to sail, He hoists his proud rotundity of tail, The half-seald eyes and changeful neck he shows, Where, in its quickning colours, vengeance glows; From red to blue the pendent wattles turn, Blue mixd with red, as matches when they burn; And thus th intruding snarler to oppose, Urged by enkindling wrath, he gobbling goes. So lookd our hero in his wrath, his cheeks Flushd with fresh fires and glowd in tingling streaks, His breath by passions force awhile restraind, Like a stoppd current greater force regaind; So spoke, so lookd he, every eye and ear Were fixd to view him, or were turnd to hear. My friends, you know me, you can witness all, How, urged by passion, I restrain my gall; And every motive to revenge withstand - Save when I hear abused my native land. Is it not known, agreed, confirmd, confessd, That, of all people, we are governd best? We have the force of monarchies; are free, As the most proud republicans can be; And have those prudent counsels that arise In grave and cautious aristocracies; And live there those, in such all-glorious state. Traitors protected in the land they hate? Rebels, still warring with the laws that give To them subsistence? - Yes, such wretches live. Ours is a Church reformed, and now no more Is aught for man to mend or to restore; Tis pure in doctrines, tis correct in creeds, Has nought redundant, and it nothing needs; No evil is therein - no wrinkle, spot, Stain, blame, or blemish: - I affirm theres not. All this you know - now mark what once befell, With grief I bore it, and with shame I tell: I was entrappd - yes, so it came to pass, Mid heathen rebels, a tumultuous class; Each to his country bore a hellish mind, Each like his neighbour was of cursed kind; The land that nursed them, they blasphemed; the laws, Their sovereigns glory, and their countrys cause: And who their mouth, their master-fiend, and who Rebellions oracle? - You, catiff, you! He spoke, and standing stretchd his mighty arm, And fixd the Man of Words, as by a charm. How raved that railer! Sure some hellish power Restraind my tongue in that delirious hour, Or I had hurld the shame and vengeance due On him, the guide of that infuriate crew; But to mine eyes, such dreadful looks appeard, Such mingled yell of lying words I heard, That I conceived around were demons all, And till I fled the house, I feard its fall. Oh! could our country from our coasts expel Such foes! to nourish those who wish her well: This her mild laws forbid, but we may still From us eject them by our sovereign will; This let us do. - He said, and then began A gentler feeling for the silent man; Een in our heros mighty soul arose A touch of pity for experienced woes; But this was transient, and with angry eye He sternly lookd, and paused for a reply. Twas then the Man of many Words would speak - But, in his trial, had them all to seek: To find a friend he lookd the circle round, But joy or scorn in every feature found; He sippd his wine, but in those times of dread Wine only adds confusion to the head; In doubt he reasond with himself - And how Harangue at night, if I be silent now? From pride and praise received, he sought to draw Courage to speak, but still remaind the awe; One moment rose he with a forced disdain, And then, abashd, sunk sadly down again; While in our heros glance he seemd to read, Slave and insurgent! what hast thou to plead? By desperation urged, he now began: I seek no favour - I - the rights of man! Claim; and I - nay! - but give me leave - and I Insist - a man - that is - and in reply, I speak, - Alas! each new attempt was vain: Confused he stood, he sate, he rose again; At length he growld defiance, sought the door, Cursed the whole synod, and was seen no more. Laud we, said Justice Bolt, the Powers above: Thus could our speech the sturdiest foe remove. Exulting now, he gaind new strength of fame, And lost all feelings of defeat and shame. He dared not strive, you witnessd - dared not lift His voice, nor drive at his accursed drift: So all shall tremble, wretches who oppose Our Church or State - thus be it to our foes. He spoke, and, seated with his former air, Lookd his full self, and filld his ample chair; Took one full bumper to each favourite cause, And dwelt all night on politics and laws, With high applauding voice, that gaind him high applause. TALE II. THE PARTING HOUR. . . . . I did not take my leave of him, but had Most pretty things to say: ere I could tell him How I would think of him, at certain hours Such thoughts and such; - or ere I could Give him that parting kiss, which I had set Betwixt two charming words - comes in my father. SHAKESPEARE, Cymbeline. Grief hath changed me since you saw me last, And careful hours with Times deformed hand Have written strange defeatures oer my face. Comedy of Errors. Oh! if thou be the same Egean, speak, And speak unto the same Emilia. Comedy of Errors. I ran it through, evn from my boyish days To the very moment that she bade me tell it, Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field Of being taken by the insolent foe, And sold to slavery. Othello. An old man, broken with the storms of fate, Is come to lay his weary bones among you: Give him a little earth for charity. Henry VIII. ------------------ Minutely trace mans life; year after year, Through all his days let all his deeds appear, And then though some may in that life be strange, Yet there appears no vast nor sudden change: The links that bind those various deeds are seen, And no mysterious void is left between. But let these binding links be all destroyed, All that through years he sufferd or enjoyd, Let that vast gap be made, and then behold - This was the youth, and he is thus when old; Then we at once the work of time survey, And in an instant see a lifes decay; Pain mixd with pity in our bosoms rise, And sorrow takes new sadness from surprise. Beneath yon tree, observe an ancient pair - A sleeping man; a woman in her chair, Watching his looks with kind and pensive air; Nor wife, nor sister she, nor is the name Nor kindred of this friendly pair the same; Yet so allied are they, that few can feel Her constant, warm, unwearied, anxious zeal; Their years and woes, although they long have loved, Keep their good name and conduct unreproved: Thus lifes small comforts they together share, And while life lingers for the grave prepare. No other subjects on their spirits press, Nor gain such intrest as the past distress: Grievous events, that from the memry drive Lifes common cares, and those alone survive, Mix with each thought, in every action share, Darken each dream, and blend with every prayer. To David Booth, his fourth and last-born boy, Allen his name, was more than common joy; And as the child grew up, there seemd in him A more than common life in every limb; A strong and handsome stripling he became, And the gay spirit answerd to the frame; A lighter, happier lad was never seen, For ever easy, cheerful, or serene; His early love he fixd upon a fair And gentle maid - they were a handsome pair. They at an infant-school together playd, Where the foundation of their love was laid: The boyish champion would his choice attend In every sport, in every fray defend. As prospects opend, and as life advanced, They walkd together, they together danced; On all occasions, from their early years, They mixd their joys and sorrows, hopes and fears; Each heart was anxious, till it could impart Its daily feelings to its kindred heart; As years increased, unnumberd petty wars Broke out between them; jealousies and jars; Causeless indeed, and followd by a peace, That gave to love - growth, vigour, and increase. Whilst yet a boy, when other minds are void, Domestic thoughts young Aliens hours employd. Judith in gaining hearts had no concern, Rather intent the matrons part to learn; Thus early prudent and sedate they grew, While lovers, thoughtful - and though children, true. To either parents not a day appeard, When with this love they might have interfered. Childish at first, they cared not to restrain; And strong at last, they saw restriction vain; Nor knew they when that passion to reprove, Now idle fondness, now resistless love. So while the waters rise, the children tread On the broad estuarys sandy bed; But soon the channel fills, from side to side Comes danger rolling with the deepning tide; Yet none who saw the rapid current flow Could the first instant of that danger know. The lovers waited till the time should come When they together could possess a home: In either house were men and maids unwed, Hopes to be soothed, and tempers to be led. Then Allens mother of his favourite maid Spoke from the feelings of a mind afraid: Dress and amusements were her sole employ, She said - entangling her deluded boy; And yet, in truth, a mothers jealous love Had much imagined and could little prove; Judith had beauty - and if vain, was kind, Discreet and mild, and had a serious mind. Dull was their prospect. - When the lovers met, They said, We must not - dare not venture yet. Oh! could I labour for thee, Allen cried, Why should our friends be thus dissatisfied; On my own arm I could depend, but they Still urge obedience - must I yet obey? Poor Judith felt the grief, but grieving beggd delay. At length a prospect came that seemd to smile, And faintly woo them, from a Western Isle; A kinsman there a widows hand had gaind, Was old, was rich, and childless yet remaind; Would some young Booth to his affairs attend, And wait awhile, he might expect a friend. The elder brothers, who were not in love, Feard the false seas, unwilling to remove; But the young Allen, an enamourd boy, Eager an independence to enjoy, Would through all perils seek it, - by the sea, - Through labour, danger, pain, or slavery. The faithful Judith his design approved, For both were sanguine, they were young, and loved. The mothers slow consent was then obtaind; The time arrived, to part alone remaind: All things prepared, on the expected day Was seen the vessel anchord in the bay. From her would seamen in the evening come, To take th adventurous Allen from his home; With his own friends the final day he passd, And every painful hour, except the last. The grieving father urged the cheerful glass, To make the moments with less sorrow pass; Intent the mother lookd upon her son, And wishd th assent withdrawn, the deed undone; The younger sister, as he took his way, Hung on his coat, and beggd for more delay: But his own Judith calld him to the shore, Whom he must meet, for they might meet no more; - And there he found her - faithful, mournful, true, Weeping, and waiting for a last adieu! The ebbing tide had left the sand, and there Moved with slow steps the melancholy pair: Sweet were the painful moments - but, how sweet, And without pain, when they again should meet! Now either spoke as hope and fear impressd Each their alternate triumph in the breast. Distance alarmd the maid - she cried, Tis far! And danger too - it is a time of war: Then in those countries are diseases strange, And women gay, and men are prone to change: What then may happen in a year, when things Of vast importance every moment brings! But hark! an oar! she cried, yet none appeard - Twas loves mistake, who fancied what it feard; And she continued - Do, my Allen, keep Thy heart from evil, let thy passions sleep; Believe it good, nay glorious, to prevail, And stand in safety where so many fail; And do not, Allen, or for shame, or pride, Thy faith abjure, or thy profession hide; Can I believe his love will lasting prove, Who has no revrence for the God I love? I know thee well! how good thou art and kind; But strong the passions that invade thy mind - Now, what to me hath Allen, to commend? Upon my mother, said the youth, attend; Forget her spleen, and, in my place appear, Her love to me will make my Judith dear, Oft I shall think (such comforts lovers seek), Who speaks of me, and fancy what they speak; Then write on all occasions, always dwell On hopes fair prospects, and be kind and well, And ever choose the fondest, tenderest style. She answerd, No, but answerd with a smile. And now, my Judith, at so sad a time, Forgive my fear, and call it not my crime; When with our youthful neighbours tis thy chance To meet in walks, the visit, or the dance, When every lad would on my lass attend, Choose not a smooth designer for a friend: That fawning Philip! - nay, be not severe, A rivals hope must cause a lovers fear. Displeased she felt, and might in her reply Have mixd some anger, but the boat was nigh, Now truly heard! - it soon was full in sight; - Now the sad farewell, and the long good-night; For see! - his friends come hastning to the beach, And now the gunwale is within the reach: Adieu! - farewell! - remember! - and what more Affection taught, was utterd from the shore. But Judith left them with a heavy heart, Took a last view, and went to weep apart. And now his friends went slowly from the place, Where she stood still, the dashing oar to trace, Till all were silent! - for the youth she prayd, And softly then returnd the weeping maid. They parted, thus by hope and fortune led, And Judiths hours in pensive pleasure fled; But when returnd the youth? - the youth no more Returnd exulting to his native shore; But forty years were past, and then there came A worn-out man with witherd limbs and lame, His mind oppressd with woes, and bent with age his frame. Yes! old and grieved, and trembling with decay, Was Allen landing in his native bay, Willing his breathless form should blend with kindred clay. In an autumnal eve he left the beach, In such an eve he chanced the port to reach: He was alone; he pressd the very place Of the sad parting, of the last embrace: There stood his parents, there retired the maid, So fond, so tender, and so much afraid; And on that spot, through many years, his mind Turnd mournful back, half sinking, half resignd. No one was present; of its crew bereft, A single boat was in the billows left; Sent from some anchord vessel in the bay, At the returning tide to sail away. Oer the black stern the moonlight softly playd, The loosend foresail flapping in the shade; All silent else on shore; but from the town A drowsy peal of distant bells came down: From the tall houses here and there, a light Served some confused remembrance to excite: There, he observed, and new emotions felt, Was my first home - and yonder Judith dwelt; Dead! dead are all! I long - I fear to know, He said, and walkd impatient, and yet slow. Sudden there broke upon his grief a noise Of merry tumult and of vulgar joys: Seamen returning to their ship, were come, With idle numbers straying from their home; Allen among them mixd, and in the old Strove some familiar features to behold; While fancy aided memory: - Man! what cheer? A sa ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 5217
Author: Crabbe, George
Release Date: Mar 1, 2004
Format: eBook
Language: English