TALE IX.

ARABELLA. (')

Of a fair town where Doctor Rack was guide,
His only daughter was the boast and pride;
Wise Arabella, yet not wise alone,

She like a bright and polish'd brilliant shone;
Her father own'd her for his prop and stay,

Able to guide, yet willing to obey;

Pleased with her learning while discourse could

please,

And with her love in languor and disease:
Το every mother were her virtues known,
And to their daughters as a pattern shown;
Who in her youth had all that age requires,
And with her prudence, all that youth admires:
These odious praises made the damsels try
Not to obtain such merits, but deny;
For, whatsoever wise mammas might say,
To guide a daughter, this was not the way;
From such applause disdain and anger rise,
And lives where emulation dies.

envy

(1) [A surgeon of Ipswich had an addition to his family just as he had obtained the consent of a young lady to marry him. The breaking off of the match, by the good principle and delicacy of the intended bride, gave rise to much difference of opinion at the time, and suggested this tale.]

In all his strength, contends the noble horse,
With one who just precedes him on the course;
But when the rival flies too far before,

His spirit fails, and he attempts no more.

This reasoning Maid, above her sex's dread,
Had dared to read, and dared to say she read;
Not the last novel, not the new-born play;
Not the mere trash and scandal of the day;
But (though her young companions felt the shock)
She studied Berkeley, Bacon, Hobbes, and Locke:
Her mind within the maze of history dwelt,
And of the moral Muse the beauty felt;
The merits of the Roman page she knew,

And could converse with More (1) and Montagu :
Thus she became the wonder of the town,
From that she reap'd, to that she gave renown,
And strangers coming, all were taught t' admire
The learned lady, and the lofty spire.

Thus Fame in public fix'd the Maid where all Might throw their darts, and see the idol fall: A hundred arrows came with vengeance keen, From tongues envenom'd, and from arms unseen ; A thousand eyes were fix'd upon the place, That, if she fell, she might not fly disgrace: But malice vainly throws the poison'd dart, Unless our frailty shows the peccant part; And Arabella still preserved her name Untouch'd, and shone with undisputed fame;

(1) [Hannah More, authoress of "Colebs in Search of a Wife," &c. &c. &c. died at the age of eighty-six, in 1833: the celebrated Mrs. Montagu died, aged eighty, in 1800.]

Her

very

notice some respect would cause, And her esteem was honour and applause.

Men she avoided; not in childish fear, As if she thought some savage foe was near; Not as a prude, who hides that man should seek, Or who by silence hints that they should speak; But with discretion all the sex she view'd, Ere yet engaged pursuing or pursued ; Ere love had made her to his vices blind, Or hid the favourite's failings from her mind.

Thus was the picture of the man portray'd, By merit destined for so rare a maid; At whose request she might exchange her state, Or still be happy in a virgin's fate: He must be one with manners like her own, His life unquestion'd, his opinions known; His stainless virtue must all tests endure, His honour spotless, and his bosom pure; She no allowance made for sex or times, Of lax opinion-crimes were ever crimes; No wretch forsaken must his frailty curse, No spurious offspring drain his private purse: He at all times his passions must command, And yet possessor be refused her hand.

All this without reserve the maiden told, And some began to weigh the rector's gold; To ask what sum a prudent man might gain, Who had such store of virtues to maintain ?

A Doctor Campbell, north of Tweed, came forth,
Declared his passion, and proclaim'd his worth;
Not unapproved, for he had much to say
On every cause, and in a pleasant way;
Not all his trust was in a pliant tongue,
His form was good, and ruddy he, and young:
But though the doctor was a man of parts,
He read not deeply male or female hearts;
But judged that all whom he esteem'd as wise
Must think alike, though some assumed disguise ;
That every reasoning Bramin, Christian, Jew,
Of all religions took their liberal view;

And of her own, no doubt, this learned Maid
Denied the substance, and the forms obey'd:
And thus persuaded, he his thoughts express'd
Of her opinions, and his own profess'd:

"All states demand this aid, the vulgar need
"Their priests and pray'rs, their sermons and their
creed;

"And those of stronger minds should never

speak

(In his opinion) what might hurt the weak: "A man may smile, but still he should attend

"His hour at church, and be the Church's friend, "What there he thinks conceal, and what he hears commend."

Frank was the speech, but heard with high disdain,

Nor had the doctor leave to speak again;

A man who own'd, nay gloried in deceit,

"He might despise her, but he should not cheat."