To change his state, and then to change his mind,

That careless George dropp’d idly on the ground

A letter, which his crafty master found;

The stupid youth confess’d his fault, and pray’d

The generous ’Squire to spare a gentle maid,

Of whom her tender mother, full of fears,

Had written much - “she caught her oft in tears,

For ever thinking on a youth above

Her humble fortune - still she own’d not love;

Nor can define, dear girl! the cherish’d pain,