That glows awhile, and withers as we gaze.

Again the Friend’s tormenting letter came -

“The wants she suffer’d were affection’s shame;

She with her child a life of terrors led,

Unhappy fruit, but of a lawful bed:

Her friend was tasting every bliss in life,

The joyful mother, and the wealthy wife;

While she was placed in doubt, in fear, in want,

To starve on trifles that the happy grant;

Poorly for all her faithful silence paid,