66 Thy active hand has dealt to this poor space "The bliss of plenty and the charm of grace; "And all around us wonder when they find "Such taste and strength, such skill and power combined; "There is no mother, Colin, no not one, "But envies me so kind, so good a son; "By thee supported on this failing side, "Weakness itself awakes a parent's pride: "I bless the stroke that was my grief before, "And feel such joy that 't is disease no more; "Shielded by thee, my want becomes my wealth— "And soothed by Colin, sickness smiles at health; "The old men love thee, they repeat thy praise, "And say, like thee were youth in earlier days; "While every village-maiden cries, How gay, 6 "How smart, how brave, how good is Colin Grey !' 66 "Yet art thou sad; alas! my son, I know Thy heart is wounded, and the cure is slow; "Fain would I think that Jesse still may come "To share the comforts of our rustic home: "She surely loved thee; I have seen the maid, "When thou hast kindly brought the Vicar aid— "When thou hast eased his bosom of its pain, "Oh! I have seen her-she will come again." The Matron ceased; and Colin stood the while Silent, but striving for a grateful smile; He then replied-" Ah! sure, had Jesse stay'd, "And shared the comforts of our sylvan shade, "The tenderest duty and the fondest love "Would not have fail'd that generous heart to move; "A grateful pity would have ruled her breast, "And my distresses would have made me blest. "But she is gone, and ever has in view "Grandeur and taste, - and what will then ensue? "Surprise and then delight in scenes so fair and new; "For many a day, perhaps for many a week, "Home will have charms, and to her bosom speak; "But thoughtless ease, and affluence, and pride, "Seen day by day, will draw the heart aside: "And she at length, though gentle and sincere, “Will think no more of our enjoyments here." Sighing he spake-but hark! he hears th' approach Of rattling wheels! and, lo! the evening-coach; Once more the movement of the horses' feet Makes the fond heart with strong emotion beat: Faint were his hopes, but ever had the sight Drawn him to gaze beside his gate at night; And when with rapid wheels it hurried by, He grieved his parent with a hopeless sigh; [sum And could the blessing have been bought-what Had he not offer'd, to have Jesse come! She came- he saw her bending from the door, Her face, her smile, and he beheld no more; Lost in his joy-the mother lent her aid T'assist and to detain the willing Maid; Who thought her late, her present home to make, But the good parent was so pleased, so kind, That night advanced; and then so long detain'd, Yet long in doubt she stood, and then perforce remain'd. Here was a lover fond, a friend sincere ; Here was content and joy, for she was here: In the mild evening, in the scene around, The Maid, now free, peculiar beauties found; Blended with village-tones, the evening gale Gave the sweet night-bird's warblings to the vale; The Youth embolden'd, yet abash'd, now told His fondest wish, nor found the maiden cold; The Mother smiling whisper'd — “Let him go "And seek the licence!" Jesse answer'd, "No:" But Colin went. — I know not if they live With all the comforts wealth and plenty give; But with pure joy to envious souls denied, To suppliant meanness and suspicious pride; And village-maids of happy couples say, "They live like Jesse Bourn and Colin Grey." (1) (1) ["Jesse is the orphan of a poor clergyman, who goes, upon her father's death, to live with a rich old lady who had been his friend; and Colin is a young farmer, whose father had speculated away a handsome property; and who, though living in a good degree by his own labour, yet wished the damsel (who half wished it also) to remain and share his humble lot. The rich lady proves to be suspicious, overbearing, and selfish; and sets Jesse upon the ignoble duty of acting the spy and informer over the other dependants of her household; on the delineation of whose characters Mr. Crabbe has lavished a prodigious power of observation and correct description: -But this not suiting her pure and ingenuous mind, she suddenly leaves the splendid mansion, and returns to her native village, where Colin and his mother soon persuade her to form one of their happy family. There is a great deal of goodheartedness in this tale, and a kind of moral beauty, which has lent more than usual elegance to the simple pictures it presents."— JEFFREY.] TALE XIV. THE STRUGGLES OF CONSCIENCE. I am a Villain; yet I lie, I am not; Richard III. My Conscience is but a kind of hard Conscience.... The fiend gives the more friendly counsel. - Merchant of Venice. Thou hast it now- and I fear Thou play'dst most foully for it. — Macbeth. Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, Soft! I did but dream Oh! coward Conscience, how dost thou afflict me! Richard III. |
