In earlier years, ere she was led
By Hymen to the marriage bed,
Valcour and she each other lov'd,
But their fond passion hopeless prov'd.
—She was high-bred with fortune small,
And his Commission was his all: |
For though he was of ancient line
And did with noble virtues shine,
He was the youngest child of nine; | } |
And ere her marriage rites were o'er
He sought renown on India's shore.
What he thus bravely sought he found,
And once more trod on British ground,
With that, but little else beside,
A month before Old Woodlands died.
He let her hear that still he lov'd,
She wrote, nor said she disapprov'd;
That was the recipe to cure
The doubts his bosom might endure;
In which Quæ Genus was employ'd,
And caus'd the good he now enjoy'd.
—But then she acted with discretion;
As her fond husband's sole possession
She would not, at his last, allow
The promise of a future vow:
She felt her tender inclination,
As a reversionary passion
She must not own for him she lov'd,
Till Death each hindrance had remov'd.
For due decorum she obey'd,
And the sage widow's period stay'd;
Nor till Time pull'd the Hatchment down,
Did she her Valcour's wishes crown:
But crown'd they were; a splendid show
Did Fortune on the rites bestow,
When Hymen call'd on Love to shower
Its roses o'er the nuptial bower.
Quæ Genus did the sports contrive
Which kept the country-folk alive,
And all the scatter'd bounties flow'd
As his disposing hand bestow'd,
Nor did one over-curious mind
Suspect that any lurk'd behind. |
Nay, it was order'd to his care
The gen'ral figure to prepare
That was to blaze in Portman-Square. | } |
| |
He, who had sometime form'd the plan
To set up for a Gentleman,
Well knew the purse alone could aid
The progress of that pretty trade,
And now had learn'd, quite at his ease,
To take the upper servant's fees,
Which to fulfil his growing aim,
In a resistless plenty came.
—Valcour was grand, his Eastern Taste
Was not dispos'd to run to waste;
Madam had never yet made known
Her beauty to th' admiring town,
And ready wealth was now at hand
Their mutual wishes to command: |
Plutus with Fashion standing by
Impatient languish'd to supply
Each wish of glowing luxury. | } |
The tonish trade display'd its store
Where our Quæ Genus kept the door;
In various forms, a numerous host
All strove who should affect him most,
And by what tempting means engage,
His trusty, promis'd patronage. |
