If you, dear lady, will attention give
To me, the credit of the house shall live;
Do not, I pray you, my proposal blame;
It is my wish to guard your husband’s fame,
And ease your trouble: then, your cares resign
To my discretion—and, in short, be mine.”—
“Yours! O! my stars!—Your goodness, sir, deserves
My grateful thanks—take pity on my nerves;
I shake and tremble at a thing so new,
And fear ’tis what a lady should not do; 240