He built a mansion in his mind, and one
The country round should gaze with pride upon;
But ere a stone was laid, or timber sawn,
He to the narrow House of Death was drawn. (O.M.)
variant of ll. 411–26:
“It was a vast concern, and, when to think
She forced herself, she could not sleep a wink.
‘Nothing,’ she wrote, ‘could for her loss atone;
It was a wretched life to live alone:
Yet, to be used unkindly, that was worse