And had her notions to the world avow’d;

And, could she find the Merchant weak and frail,

With power to prove it, then she must prevail:

For she aloud would publish his disgrace,

And save his victim from a man so base.

When all inquiries had been duly made,

Came the kind Friend her burthen to unlade: -

“Alas! my dear! not all our care and art

Can thread the maze of man’s deceitful heart;

Look not surprised - nor let resentment swell