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TALE XX.

THE BROTHERS.

A Brother noble,

Whose nature is so far from doing harms,

That he suspects none; on whose foolish honesty
My practice may ride easy.

King Lear, Act I. Scene 2.

He lets me feed with hinds,

Bars me the place of Brother.

As You Like It, Act I. Scene 1.

'Twas I, but 'tis not I: I do not shame

To tell you what I was, being what I am.

As You Like It, Act IV. Scene 3.

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THAN old George Fletcher, on the British coast,
Dwelt not a seaman who had more to boast;
Kind, simple, and sincere—he seldom spoke,
But sometimes sang and chorus'd-" Hearts of Oak;"
In dangers steady, with his lot content,
His days in labour and in love were spent.

He left a Son so like him, that the old
With joy exclaim'd, ""Tis Fletcher we behold;"
But to his Brother when the kinsmen came,

And view'd his form, they grudged the father's name.

George was a bold, intrepid, careless lad, With just the failings that his father had; Isaac was weak, attentive, slow, exact, With just the virtues that his father lack'd.

George lived at sea: upon the land a guést— He sought for recreation, not for rest

VOL. II.

P

While, far unlike, his Brother's feebler form

Shrank from the cold, and shudder'd at the storm ; Still with the Seaman's to connect his trade,

The boy was bound where blocks and ropes were made.

George, strong and sturdy, had a tender mind, And was to Isaac pitiful and kind;

A very father, till his art was gain'd,

And then a friend unwearied he remain'd:
He saw his Brother was of spirit low,
His temper peevish, and his motions slow;
Not fit to bustle in a world, or make

Friends to his fortune for his merit's sake:
But the kind Sailor could not boast the art
Of looking deeply in the human heart;
Else had he seen that this weak Brother knew
What men to court-what objects to pursue ;
That he to distant gain the way discern'd,
And none so crooked but his genius learn'd.

Isaac was poor, and this the Brother felt; He hired a house, and there the Landman dwelt ; Wrought at his trade, and had an easy home, For there would George with cash and comforts come; And when they parted, Isaac look'd around,

Where other friends and helpers might be found.

He wish'd for some port-place, and one might fall,
He wisely thought, if he should try for all;
He had a vote-and, were it well applied,
Might have its worth-and he had views beside;
Old Burgess Steel was able to promote

An humble man who served him with a vote;
For Isaac felt not what some tempers feel,
But bow'd and bent the neck to Burgess Steel;
And great attention to a Lady gave,
His ancient friend, a maiden spare and grave:
One whom the visage long and look demure
Of Isaac pleased he seem'd sedate and pure;
And his soft heart conceived a gentle flame
For her who waited on this virtuous Dame:
Not an outrageous love, a scorching fire,
But friendly liking and chastised desire;
And thus he waited, patient in delay,
In present favour and in Fortune's way.

George then was coasting-war was yet delay'd, And what he gain'd was to his Brother paid; Nor ask'd the Seaman what he saved or spent: But took his grog, wrought hard, and was content; Till war awaked the land, and George began

To think what part became a useful man:

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