She was the daughter of a priest, whose life

Was brief and sad: he lost a darling wife,

And Fanny then her father, who could save

But a small portion; but his all he gave,

With the fair orphan, to a sister’s care,

And her good spouse; they were the ruling pair—

Steward and steward’s lady—o’er a tribe,

Each under each, whom I shall not describe. 210

This grave old couple, childless and alone,

Would, by their care, for Fanny’s loss atone: