TALE XVI. THE CONFIDANT. Think'st thou I'd make a a life of jealousy, Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks, And given my treasure and my rights in thee To thick-eyed musing and cursed melancholy?-1 Henry IV. It is excellent To have a giant's strength, but tyrannous To use it as a giant. -Measure for Measure. TALE XVI. THE CONFIDANT. (1) ANNA was young and lovely-in her eye The liveliest tints her youthful face disclosed; Now Anna's station frequent terrors wrought In one whose looks were with such meaning fraught: For on a Lady, as an humble friend, It was her painful office to attend. (1) [The reader will find the tale of "The Confidant" thrown into a little drama of seven scenes, by Mr. Charles Lamb, author of "Elia's Essays," &c. &c. in vol. xxiv. of Blackwood's Magazine, p. 764. The version is so close, that we need not quote specimens of it here; but the whole will cer tainly reward an attentive perusal. Our wonder is, that so little use has hitherto been made of our Poet's tales, as materials for dramatic composition.] Her duties here were of the usual kind And some the body harass'd, some the mind: Hate whom she hated, whom she loved must love; Such were the Damsel's duties; she was poor Above a servant, but with service more: Men on her face with careless freedom gazed, Nor thought how painful was the glow they raised; A wealthy few to gain her favour tried, But not the favour of a grateful bride; They spoke their purpose with an easy air, That shamed and frighten'd the dependent fair; Past time she view'd, the passing time to cheat, But nothing found to make the present sweet; With pensive soul she read life's future page, And saw dependent, poor, repining age. But who shall dare t' assert what years may bring, When wonders from the passing hour may spring? |