1831.] The Fatal Spot. 301 



Fought, devil-like, as usual in our quarrels ; , { 



Died, and bequeathed her nothing but his laurels. 



And she was wending to her native home 



By the first fleet ; but wherefore should she come ? 



Death had been busy with her kind relations. 



And they were banished from their early stations. 



Of all her kindred now there was but one — 



The Lady Mary — whom she reckoned on ; 



Their mothers were twin-sisters — for their sake 



Would she the orphan to her bosom take ? 



Her habits were not idle — but her grief. 



In the first stage, solicited relief. 



The sympathy which tenderness affords. 



And ample leave to give her sorrow words. 



The wife, the husband, stood a moment still. 

 As if to ascertain each other's will ; 

 They both were touched (I'm glad to speak the truth). 

 And thought upon her poverty and youth ; 

 Both had their motives for a slight demurring. 

 And both, at last, for cordially concurring. 

 Yet not a moment did her words beguile them — 

 She was distressed, and wanted an asylum : 

 And soon an answer to the mourning dame , } 



Was promptly sent, and she as promptly came — /■; 



All calm propriety and serious ease, ,{ 



With features freshened by the ocean's breeze. ro 



Her eyes I will not liken to the dove's — /^ 



No — let the reader paint them as he loves. 

 But then her voice had cadence, and a tone 

 Which, if she chose, would make your heart her own ; 

 And, altogether, certainly I wonder 

 How, in this earthly world, those sons of thunder — 

 I mean the mates and captains of the ship — 

 Should let so bright an oriental, slip : 

 But she was clever, and might calculate. 

 By some bright planet, on a happier fate. 

 Howe'er it was, her conduct was quite wary. 

 And won the heart and soul of Lady Mary ; 

 Nor did she conjure up a moment's strife, 

 As some expected, 'twixt the man and wife — 

 No ! when the clouds were gathering, she was steady. 

 And, ere it thundered, had a sunbeam ready. 



So time rolled on in comfort, till, at last. 

 My Lady withered all at once and fast. 

 The doctor came, of course, and heard the case. 

 And saw the loving cousins, face to face ; 

 Not one of those who live in woods and glen, 

 " But populous cities and the haunts of men ;" 

 Had studied erring mortals day by day. 

 And knew the composition of their clay. 

 He looked about him — conned the symptoms o'er — 

 Believed he'd seen such malady before ; 

 His patient had no hunger, thirst, or rest. 

 And very little pain she had confest ; 

 Her nose was peaked, and her eyes were red. 

 As though a thousand painful tears she'd »lied ; 



