This was a letter prettily express’d.”
To every female friend away she flew 400
To ask advice, and say, “What shall I do?”
She kiss’d her children—and she said, with tears,
“I wonder what is best for you, my dears?
How can I, darlings, to your good attend }
Without the help of some experienced friend, }
Who will protect us all, or, injured, will defend?” }
The widow then ask’d counsel of her heart—
In vain, for that had nothing to impart;