And Slander steals along and taints the Green:

At her approach domestic peace is gone,

Domestic broils at her approach come on;

She to the wife the husband's crime conveys,

She tells the husband when his consort strays,

Her busy tongue through all the little state

Diffuses doubt, suspicion, and debate;

Peace, tim'rous goddess! quits her old domain,

In sentiment and song content to reign.

Nor are the nymphs that breathe the rural air