He ask’d - was answer’d, and went groaning by:

For some remains of spirit, temper, pride,

Forbade a prayer he knew would be denied.

Thus was the grieving man, with burthen’d ass,

Seen day by day along the street to pass:

“Who is he, Susan? who the poor old man?

He never calls - do make him, if you can.”

The conscious damsel still delay’d to speak,

She stopp’d confused, and had her words to seek;

From Susan’s fears the fact her mistress knew,