Sleep from the fairest face some beauty takes,

And all the homely features homelier makes:

So thought our wife, beholding with a sigh

Her sleeping spouse, and Edward smiling by.

A sick relation for the husband sent;

Without delay the friendly sceptic went;

Nor fear’d the youthful pair, for he had seen

The wife untroubled, and the friend serene;

No selfish purpose in his roving eyes,

No vile deception in her fond replies: