And bade him “think of dreadful things to come.”
“If such,” he answer’d, “be that state untried,
In peace, dear Martha, let me here abide;
Forbear to insult a man whose fate is known,
And leave to Heaven a matter all its own.” 300
In the same cause the Merchant, too, would strive;
He ask’d, “Did ever unbeliever thrive?
Had he respect? could he a fortune make?
And why not then such impious men forsake?”
“Thanks, my dear James, and be assured I feel,