“Wife!” whisper’d all; “then what his life to us,
His ways and ventures, if he ventured thus?”
This, too, apart; yet were they all intent,
And, gravely listening, sigh’d with one consent.
“My friend, your Uncle, was design’d for trade, 620
To make a fortune as his father made;
But early he perceived the house declined,
And his domestic views at once resign’d;
While stout of heart, with life in every limb,
He would to sea, and either sink or swim.