The Quaker deigns his head to nod,
"How do friends” too he muttered;
The strangers both looked wondrous odd,
But not a word they uttered!

66

Pray take a seat and wait awhile, "You soon shall have the payment,' The ladies said with pleasing smile,

"For all this purchased raiment."

They left the room,-our Quaker sat
Long time in silence musing;

Now the rich pictures looking at,

Now some good book perusing.

Fatigued to find the men so long
In silence persevering,

He says, and moved his chair along,
The silent strangers nearing.*

* A sea phrase, to `approach.

"The day is verily fine and clear,—”

His comrades nodded only;

"Friends" quoth the Quaker “living here, "Must be extremely lonely."

But finding it in vain, to bring

These mutes to conversation,

He thought 't would be a better thing,

To yield to meditation.

He meditated, but alas!

'Twas vain his thoughts to bridle ;

From Heaven they hurried to his cash,

That universal idol!

The Quaker turned from side to side,
His train of thought pursuing,
'Till wearied out at length, he cried,
"What are the women doing?"

No answer yet! impatient grown,—

Quick from his seat he rises;

The mutes soon hold him struggling down,— Which Nathan much surprises.

66

Friends, are ye mad to treat me so ?"

He said "'tis shameful truly!"

"You'll get no good, I'll let you know," One cries, "by being unruly."

"What mean ye? are ye void of sense ?" "You'd better make less racket,

"Or else we must in our defence, "Confine you in strait jacket."

"The ladies have departed home
"Some time, and"-Nathan started
As one just from a reverie come,—
"How! where have they departed ?"

"Then have they not their dwelling here ?" "Oh no; they live some distance❞— "Then loose me! oh my money! where!"

66

66

"Nay, hold, Sir, no resistance."

I tell you I'm defrauded-oh! "What villany and cunning!

My money 's lost too well I know,

"Ah! wretched Nathan Bunning!"

"The monsters !-but I act amiss
"Thus angry to revile 'em :-
"What, tell me pray, what place is this?"
-"A Lunatic Asylum."

The Quaker stands astounded quite,

At news so deadly stunning;

His tongue was silent as the night,

Just now so glibly running.

The doctor and his men began,

To think there was a take in,

And thought 'twas time with care to scan, Their present undertaking.

They therefore first untie his hands,
Which pained poor Nat severely,

From tightly twitched and rugged bands,
Then state the matter clearly.

"The elder dane approached this house, "And stated in great sorrow,"

"I wish to bring my suffering spouse, "To try your skill to-morrow.

"He's lost his senses, and I fear,

"So to his state inured;

"Without hard treatment and severe,

"He never can be cured.