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’Squire Thomas flatter’d long a wealthy Aunt,

Who left him all that she could give or grant;

Ten years he tried, with all his craft and skill,

To fix the sovereign lady’s varying will;

Ten years enduring at her board to sit,

He meekly listen’d to her tales and wit:

He took the meanest office man can take,

And his aunt’s vices for her money’s sake:

By many a threat’ning hint she waked his fear,