“Is this thy joy?” - “I am no longer tied:

Now will I, hast’ning to my friend, partake

Her cares and comforts, and no more forsake;

Now shall we both in equal station move,

Save that my friend enjoys a husband’s love.”

Complaint and threats so strong the Wife amazed,

Who wildly on her cottage-neighbour gazed;

Her tones, her trembling, first betray’d her grief,

When floods of tears gave anguish its relief.

She fear’d that Stafford would refuse assent,