And, without scruple, I divulged my own.
His words were civil, but not much express’d,
‘Yes! he had heard I was my brother’s guest’;
Then would explain, what was not plain to me,
Why he could not a social neighbour be.
He envied you, he said, your quiet life,
And me a loving and contented wife;
You, as unfetter’d by domestic bond,
Me, as a husband and a father fond.
I was about to speak, when to the right 30