The Borough

by George Crabbe

“My loving James,” - the Lass began her plea,

I’ll make thy reason take a part with me;

Had I been froward, skittish, or unkind,

Or to thy person or thy passion blind;

Had I refused, when ’twas thy part to pray,

Or put thee off with promise and delay;

Thou might’st in justice and in conscience fly,

Denying her who taught thee to deny:

But, James, with me thou hadst an easier task,

Bonds and conditions I forbore to ask;