THB MWITCH OF KBNDAL. 15 



A firequent shaft discliarg'd in jest. 



That robb'd her lonesome nights of rest. 



Was, when some rosy girl pass'd by. 



With ruby lip and sparkling eye; 



Light airy step ; an Hebe grace. 



And laughing mischief in her face ; 



Her bosom fair, and ripen'd form. 



With love, and youth, and beauty warm ; 



Her finger rais'd, in whispering jeer. 



Just loud enough for Dora's ear. 



With mimic show of pity, said 



" Heav'n help her soul ! the poor old maid." 



That hateful epithet to shun. 

 Ah, whither would not Dora run I 

 RecalUng what herself had been. 

 The toast of Kendal at eighteen : 

 " As young and lovely> once, was I, 

 " As fresh my bloom, as bright my eye, 

 ** As gay my heart ; my head as vain ; 

 ** Of Maiden aunts with what disdain 

 ** I thought, and spoke, and laugh'd and fleer'd 

 ** And, with the giddy sneerers, sneer'd I 

 •• Now, cruel fate ! — go where I will, 

 ** Some taunt or gibe overtakes me, still. 

 ** And to increase my heavy grief, 

 ** The evil is past all relief." 



But, here, I feel a touch of shame. 

 And hesitate, in odd confiision. 



Though in my conscience void of blame, 

 ' For poor Dorinda's strange conclusion. 



Most gladly I my tale would stop. 

 But something worse might be suspected. 



And Scandal a vile whisper drop 

 Of some conceal'd intrigue detected ; 



What can I do ? How make an end ? 

 My case is certainly a hard one ! 



Your pity, Ladies dear, extend. 

 And seal your luckless Poet's pardon. 



I know (by Cupid's bow I swear) 

 On earth no greater grief or terror 



Than the displeasure of the Fair, 

 Although incurr'd by blameless error. 



Strip me of ev'ry other joy. 

 And steep me to the lips in trouble ; 



Let Malice all her arts employ 

 My pains and crosses to redouble. 



All — all I'll welcome ! — all endure ! 

 Like some bold volunteer on duty ; 



And find for ev'ry ill a cure. 

 If favonr'd with the smile of Beauty. 



O spare me, then, those looks so cold ! 

 You cannot say 'twas I that did it, 



The honest truth must now be told. 

 Though the Lord Chancellor forbid it.— 



Then list ! oh list ! while I relate 

 The sequel of the Maiden's fate. 

 How, weary of a single life. 

 With Puss and Monkey long at strife, 

 Dorinda threw reserve aside. 



And of her precious moments thrifty. 

 To Footman John became a bride, 



Fast verging on tht bloom of fifty. 



