"Lo! what is this? this simple key explores
"The dark recess that holds the Spinster's stores
"And led by her ill star, I chanced to see
"Where Issop keeps her stock of ratafie;
"Used in the hours of anger and alarm,

"It makes her civil, and it keeps her warm;

"Thus blest with secrets, both would choose to hide, "Their fears now grant me what their scorn denied.

My freedom thus by their assent secured, "Bad as it is, the place may be endured; “And bad it is, but her estates, you know, "And her beloved hoards, she must bestow; "So we can slyly our amusements take, "And friends of dæmons, if they help us, make.”

"Strange creatures these," thought Jesse, half

To smile at one malicious and yet kind;
Frank and yet cunning, with a heart to love
And malice prompt-the serpent and the dove;
Here could she dwell? or could she yet depart ?
Could she be artful? could she bear with art?-
This splendid Mansion gave the Cottage grace,
She thought a dungeon was a happier place;

And Colin pleading, when he pleaded best, Wrought not such sudden change in Jesse's breast.

The wondering Maiden, who had only read Of such vile beings, saw them now with dread; Safe in themselves-for nature has design'd The creature's poison harmless to the kind; But all beside who in the haunts are found Must dread the poison, and must feel the wound.

Days full of care, slow weary weeks pass'd on,
Eager to go, still Jesse was not gone;
Her time in trifling or in tears she spent,
She never gave, she never felt content:
The Lady wonder'd that her humble guest
Strove not to please, would neither lie nor jest;
She sought no news, no scandal would convey,
But walk'd for health, and was at church to pray;
All this displeased, and soon the Widow cried:
"Let me be frank-I am not satisfied;

“ You know my wishes, I your judgment trust;
“ You can be useful, Jesse, and you must;
“ Let me be plainer, child-I want an ear,
"When I am deaf, instead of mine to hear;
، When mine is sleeping, let your eye awake ;
« When I observe not, observation take ;

"Alas! I rest not on my pillow laid,

"Then threat'ning whispers make my soul afraid; "The tread of strangers to my ear ascends, "Fed at my cost, the minions of my friends; "While you, without a care, a wish to please, "Eat the vile bread of idleness and ease."

Th' indignant girl astonish'd answer'd-" Nay! "This instant, Madam, let me haste away; "Thus speaks my father's, thus an orphan's friend? "This instant, Lady, let your bounty end."

The Lady frown'd indignant-"What!" she cried "A Vicar's Daughter with a Princess' pride! "And Pauper's lot! but pitying I forgive; "How, simple Jesse, do you think to live? "Have I not power to help you, foolish Maid? "To my concerns be your attention paid; "With cheerful mind th' allotted duties take, "And recollect I have a will to make."

Jesse, who felt as liberal natures feel, When thus the baser their designs reveal, Replied "Those duties were to her unfit, "Nor would her spirit to her tasks submit."

In silent scorn the Lady sate awhile,

And then replied with stern contemptuous smile—

“Think you, fair Madam, that you came to share "Fortunes like mine without a thought or care? "A guest indeed! from every trouble free, "Drest by my help, with not a care for me; "When I a visit to your father made, "I for the poor assistance largely paid; "To his domestics I their tasks assign'd, "I fix'd the portion for his hungry hind; "And had your Father (simple man!) obey'd "My good advice, and watch'd as well as pray'd, "He might have left you something with his prayers, "And lent some colour for these lofty airs.—

"In tears! my love! Oh, then my soften'd heart "Cannot resist-we never more will part; "I need your friendship-I will be your friend, "And thus determined, to my will attend."

Jesse went forth, but with determined soul To fly such love, to break from such control; "I hear enough," the trembling Damsel cried; "Flight be my care, and Providence my guide:

"Ere yet a prisoner, I escape will make;

“Will, thus display'd, th' insidious arts forsake, "And, as the rattle sounds, will fly the fatal snake."

Jesse her thanks upon the morrow paid, Prepared to go, determined though afraid.

66

Ungrateful creature," said the Lady, "this "Could I imagine?—are you frantic, Miss? "What! leave your friend, your prospects-is it true?" This Jesse answer'd by a mild "Adieu !"

The Dame replied, "Then houseless may you rove, "The starving victim to a guilty love;

"Branded with shame, in sickness doom'd to nurse "An ill-form'd cub, your scandal and your curse; "Spurn'd by its scoundrel father, and ill fed "By surly rustics with the parish-bread !— "Relent you not?-speak-yet I can forgive; "Still live with me"-"With you," said Jesse, "live? "No! I would first endure what you describe,

"Rather than breathe with your detested tribe; "Who long have feign'd, till now their very hearts "Are firmly fix'd in their accursed parts; "Who all profess esteem, and feel disdain,

"And all, with justice, of deceit complain;