“‘There will the lark, the lamb, in sport, In air, on earth, securely play, And Lucy to my grave resort, As innocent, but not so gay. I will not have the churchyard ground, With bones all black and ugly grown, 870 To press my shivering body round, Or on my wasted limbs be thrown.
“‘With ribs and skulls I will not sleep, In clammy beds of cold blue clay, Through which the ringed earth-worms creep, And on the shrouded bosom prey; I will not have the bell proclaim When those sad marriage rites begin, And boys, without regard or shame, Press the vile mouldering masses in. 880
“‘Say not, it is beneath my care; I cannot these cold truths allow; These thoughts may not afflict me there, But, O! they vex and tease me now, Raise not a turf, nor set a stone, That man a maiden’s grave may trace; But thou, my Lucy, come alone, And let affection find the place.
“‘O! take me from a world I hate— Men cruel, selfish, sensual, cold; 890 And, in some pure and blessed state, Let me my sister minds behold: From gross and sordid views refined, Our heaven of spotless love to share, For only generous souls design’d, And not a man to meet us there.’”
TALES OF THE HALL.
BOOK IX.
THE PRECEPTOR HUSBAND.
The Morning Ride—Conversation—Character of one whom they meet— His early Habits and Mode of Thinking—The Wife whom he would choose—The one chosen—His Attempts to teach—In History—In Botany—The Lady’s Proficiency—His Complaint—Her Defence and Triumph—- The Trial ends.
TALES OF THE HALL.