John was to him a treasure, whom he proved,
And, finding faithful, as a brother loved.
To John his views and business he consign’d, 270
And forward look’d with a contented mind;
As sickness bore him onward to the grave,
A charge of all things to his friend he gave.
But neighbours talk’d—’twas idle—of the day
When Richard Shale should walk the dark highway—
And whisper’d—tatlers!—that the wife received
Such hints with anger, but she nothing grieved.