Thus once again by Fortune thrown
On the wide world, and all alone,
Without th' appearance of a friend
On whose kind aid he could depend,
Quæ Genus pac'd his lonely floor
All to and fro and o'er and o'er,
Thinking what efforts might be made,
What stroke be struck, what game be play'd,
To place him in some active state
That promis'd to be fortunate. |
One consolation he possest,
Which, though it did not charm to rest
The rising troubles of his breast, | } |
Yet still, whatever might confound him,
Gave him full time to look around him,
And, on whatever project bent,
To weigh its views, and wait th' event.
For, though his purse might not run o'er,
He had a snug, sufficient store,
To keep his anxious spirits free
From any dread of penury,
And guard him amidst toils and strife,
Against the insidious smiles of life,
That do so often tempt the mind
To cast discretion far behind,
Or make it fearful hazards try,
Impell'd by dire necessity. |
—He had not yet unripp'd his coat,
In which conceal'd lay every note
Which he from Gripe-all's clutches got: | } |
A hoard on which he might depend,
When he look'd round nor saw a friend.
Besides, he had no trifle gain'd,
While with Sir Jeffery he remain'd;
For though, as has been lately said,
He never play'd a trick of trade;
Nor had he even thought it right
To take a valet's perquisite,
Nor e'er allow'd his hands to seize
The household steward's common fees,
But of the strict and rigid law
Of duty ever stood in awe.
—All this the Knight full well believ'd,
Nor could he think himself deceiv'd,
When once he answer'd to a friend,
Who did the young man's cares commend.
"That same Quæ Genus is so just
In all committed to his trust,
To his right notions such a slave,
He would not with a razor shave,
Nor use a strap, nor ply a hone,
He had not purchas'd as his own."—
Thus, as most worthy of his charge,
Sir Jeffery's annual pay was large,
And when th' allotted quarter came,
Something was added to his claim,
Which with such gen'rous grace was given,
It seem'd like Manna sent from Heaven!—
Besides, his wages, being high,
Encreas'd the gen'ral legacy,
Which he with all the household shar'd;
The last, and now his sole reward. |