'Twas so for me that Edwin did, And so for him will I." "Forbid it, heav'n!" the hermit cried, And clasp'd her to his breast: The wond'ring fair-one turn'd to chide, "Twas Edwin's self that prest. "Turn, Angelina, ever dear, My charmer, turn to see Thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here, Restor'd to love and thee. "Thus let me hold thee to my heart, And ev'ry care resign: And shall we never, never part, My life my all that's mine? "No, never, from this hour to part, We'll live and love so true, The sigh that rends thy constant heart, Shall break thy Edwin's too." THE DOUBLE TRANSFORMATION, A TALE. SECLUDED from domestic strife, Made him the happiest man alive; Such pleasures, unalloy'd with care, Could Cupid's shaft at length transfix O had the archer ne'er come down To ravage in a country town! Or Flavia been content to stop O had her eyes forgot to blaze! Or Jack had wanted eyes to gaze, O! But let exclamation cease: Her presence banish'd all his peace: So with decorum all things carried, Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was-married. Need we expose to vulgar sight The raptures of the bridal night? The honey-moon like lightning flew; Arose from powder, shreds, or lace; That very face had robb'd her mind. Skill'd in no other arts was she, But dressing, patching, repartee; And, just as humour rose or fell, 'Tis true she dress'd with modern grace, But when at home, at board or bed, Five greasy night-caps wrapt her head. Could so much beauty condescend To be a dull domestic friend? Could any curtain lectures bring To decency so fine a thing? In short, by night, 'twas fits or fretting; By day, 'twas gadding or coquetting. Fond to be seen, she kept a bevy Of powder'd coxcombs at her levy; The 'squire and captain took their stations, And twenty other near relations. Jack suck'd his pipe, and often broke A sigh in suffocating smoke; While all their hours were past between Insulting repartee or spleen. Thus as her faults each day were known, He thinks her features coarser grown: He fancies every vice she shews, Or thins her lip, or points her nose: Whenever rage or envy rise, How wide her mouth, how wild her eyes; He knows not how, but so it is, Her face is grown a knowing phyz; And though her fops are wond'rous civil, He thinks her ugly as the devil. Now, to perplex the ravell'd noose, As each a diff'rent way pursues, Promis'd to hold them on for life, And, rifling ev'ry youthful grace, Left but the remnant of a face. The glass, grown hateful to her sight, Reflected now a perfect fright: |