How to distinguish—had a manner, too,
And, as they say, she is allied to some
In decent station—let the creature come.’”
But though these two are powerfully drawn, Crabbe expends more care and skill in depicting Benbow, who had been
“a jovial trader; men enjoyed
The night with him: the day was unemployed.”
Benbow, whenever he could find an audience, used to dilate on “The men of might to mingle strong drink,” whom he had known. There was Squire Asgill, whose manor house was a disgrace and scandal to the countryside. It is needless to particularise. I can explain best by saying that his life was that of Sir Pitt Crawley in his later days, only he was more hospitable and generous. Let us see the worthy squire at his best, in church:
“His worship ever was a churchman true,
He held in scorn the methodistic crew;
May God defend the Church and save the King,