Tales by George Crabbe Part 8

Long time had Lucy wept her slighted face, And then began to smile at her disgrace.

Her father's sister, who the world had seen Near sixty years when Lucy saw sixteen, Begg'd the plain girl: the gracious Mother smiled, And freely gave her grieved but pa.s.sive child; And with her elder-born, the beauty bless'd, This parent rested, if such minds can rest: No miss her waxen babe could so admire, Nurse with such care, or with such pride attire; They were companions meet, with equal mind, Bless'd with one love, and to one point inclined; Beauty to keep, adorn, increase, and guard, Was their sole care, and had its full reward: In rising splendour with the one it reign'd, And in the other was by care sustain'd, The daughter's charms increased, the parent's yet remain'd.

Leave we these ladies to their daily care, To see how meekness and discretion fare: - A village maid, unvex'd by want or love, Could not with more delight than Lucy move; The village lark, high mounted in the spring, Could not with purer joy than Lucy sing; Her cares all light, her pleasures all sincere, Her duty joy, and her companion dear; In tender friends.h.i.+p and in true respect Lived Aunt and Niece, no flattery, no neglect - They read, walk'd, visited--together pray'd, Together slept the matron and the maid: There was such goodness, such pure nature seen In Lucy's looks, a manner so serene; Such harmony in motion, speech, and air, That without fairness she was more than fair, Had more than beauty in each speaking grace, That lent their cloudless glory to the face; Where mild good sense in placid looks were shown, And felt in every bosom but her own; The one presiding feature in her mind Was the pure meekness of a will resign'd; A tender spirit, freed from all pretence Of wit, and pleased in mild benevolence; Bless'd in protecting fondness she reposed With every wish indulged though undisclosed; But love, like zephyr on the limpid lake, Was now the bosom of the maid to shake, And in that gentle mind a gentle strife to make.

Among their chosen friends, a favoured few The aunt and niece a youthful Rector knew; Who, though a younger brother, might address A younger sister, fearless of success; His friends, a lofty race, their native pride At first display'd, and their a.s.sent denied: But, pleased such virtues and such love to trace, They own'd she would adorn the loftiest race.

The Aunt, a mother's caution to supply, Had watch'd the youthful priest with jealous eye; And, anxious for her charge, had view'd unseen The cautious life that keeps the conscience clean: In all she found him all she wish'd to find, With slight exception of a lofty mind: A certain manner that express'd desire To be received as brother to the 'Squire.

Lucy's meek eye had beam'd with many a tear, Lucy's soft heart had beat with many a fear, Before he told (although his looks, she thought, Had oft confess'd) that he her favour sought; But when he kneel'd, (she wish'd him not to kneel,) And spoke the fears and hopes that lovers feel; When too the prudent aunt herself confess'd Her wishes on the gentle youth would rest; The maiden's eye with tender pa.s.sion beam'd, She dwelt with fondness on the life she schemed; The household cares, the soft and lasting ties Of love, with all his binding charities; Their village taught, consoled, a.s.sisted, fed, Till the young zealot tears of pleasure shed.

But would her Mother? Ah! she fear'd it wrong To have indulged these forward hopes so long, Her mother loved, but was not used to grant Favours so freely as her gentle aunt. - Her gentle aunt, with smiles that angels wear, Dispell'd her Lucy's apprehensive tear: Her prudent foresight the request had made To one whom none could govern, few persuade; She doubted much if one in earnest woo'd A girl with not a single charm endued; The Sister's n.o.bler views she then declared, And what small sum for Lucy could be spared; "If more than this the foolish priest requires, Tell him," she wrote," to check his vain desires."

At length, with many a cold expression mix'd, With many a sneer on girls so fondly fix'd, There came a promise--should they not repent, But take with grateful minds the portion meant, And wait the Sister's day--the Mother might consent.

And here, might pitying hope o'er truth prevail, Or love o'er fortune, we would end our tale; For who more bless'd than youthful pair removed From fear of want--by mutual friends approved - Short time to wait, and in that time to live With all the pleasures hope and fancy give; Their equal pa.s.sion raised on just esteem, When reason sanctions all that love can dream?

Yes! reason sanctions what stern fate denies: The early prospect in the glory dies, As the soft smiles on dying infants play In their mild features, and then pa.s.s away.

The Beauty died ere she could yield her hand In the high marriage by the Mother plann'd; Who grieved indeed, but found a vast relief In a cold heart, that ever warr'd with grief.

Lucy was present when her sister died, Heiress to duties that she ill supplied: There were no mutual feelings, sister arts, No kindred taste, nor intercourse of hearts: When in the mirror play'd the matron's smile, The maiden's thoughts were traveling all the while; And when desired to speak, she sigh'd to find Her pause offended; "Envy made her blind: Tasteless she was, nor had a claim in life Above the station of a rector's wife; Yet as an heiress, she must shun disgrace, Although no heiress to her mother's face: It is your duty," said th' imperious dame, "(Advanced your fortune,) to advance your name, And with superior rank, superior offers claim: Your sister's lover, when his sorrows die, May look upon you, and for favour sigh; Nor can you offer a reluctant hand; His birth is n.o.ble, and his seat is grand."

Alarm'd was Lucy, was in tears--"A fool!

Was she a child in love?--a miss at school?

Doubts any mortal, if a change of state Dissolves all claims and ties of earlier date?"

The Rector doubted, for he came to mourn A sister dead, and with a wife return: Lucy with heart unchanged received the youth, True in herself, confiding in his truth; But own'd her mother's change; the haughty dame Pour'd strong contempt upon the youthful flame; She firmly vow'd her purpose to pursue, Judged her own cause, and bade the youth adieu!

The lover begg'd, insisted, urged his pain, His brother wrote to threaten and complain; Her sister reasoning proved the promise made, Lucy appealing to a parent pray'd; But all opposed the event that she design'd, And all in vain--she never changed her mind; But coldly answer'd in her wonted way, That she "would rule, and Lucy must obey."

With peevish fear, she saw her health decline, And cried, "Oh! monstrous, for a man to pine!

But if your foolish heart must yield to love, Let him possess it whom I now approve; This is my pleasure."--Still the Rector came With larger offers and with bolder claim; But the stern lady would attend no more - She frown'd, and rudely pointed to the door; Whate'er he wrote, he saw unread return'd, And he, indignant, the dishonour spurn'd: Nay, fix'd suspicion where he might confide, And sacrificed his pa.s.sion to his pride.

Lucy, meantime, though threaten'd and distress'd, Against her marriage made a strong protest: All was domestic war; the Aunt rebell'd Against the sovereign will, and was expell'd; And every power was tried, and every art, To bend to falsehood one determined heart; a.s.sail'd, in patience it received the shock, Soft as the wave, unshaken as the rock: But while th' unconquer'd soul endures the storm Of angry fate, it preys upon the form; With conscious virtue she resisted still, And conscious love gave vigour to her will; But Lucy's trial was at hand; with joy The Mother cried--"Behold your constant boy - Thursday--was married: --take the paper, sweet, And read the conduct of your reverend cheat; See with what pomp of coaches, in what crowd The creature married--of his falsehood proud!

False, did I say?--at least no whining fool; And thus will hopeless pa.s.sions ever cool: But shall his bride your single state reproach?

No! give him crowd for crowd, and coach for coach.

Oh! you retire; reflect then, gentle miss, And gain some spirit in a cause like this."

Some spirit Lucy gain'd; a steady soul, Defying all persuasion, all control: In vain reproach, derision, threats were tried; The constant mind all outward force defied, By vengeance vainly urged, in vain a.s.sail'd by pride; Fix'd in her purpose, perfect in her part, She felt the courage of a wounded heart; The world receded from her rising view, When heaven approach'd as earthly things withdrew; Not strange before, for in the days of love, Joy, hope, and pleasure, she had thoughts above, Pious when most of worldly prospects fond, When they best pleased her she could look beyond; Had the young priest a faithful lover died, Something had been her bosom to divide; Now heaven had all, for in her holiest views She saw the matron whom she fear'd to lose; While from her parent, the dejected maid Forced the unpleasant thought, or thinking pray'd.

Surprised, the mother saw the languid frame, And felt indignant, yet forbore to blame; Once with a frown she cried, "And do you mean To die of love--the folly of fifteen?"

But as her anger met with no reply, She let the gentle girl in quiet die; And to her sister wrote, impell'd by pain, "Come quickly, Martha, or you come in vain."

Lucy meantime profess'd with joy sincere, That nothing held, employ'd, engaged her here.

"I am an humble actor, doom'd to play A part obscure, and then to glide away: Incurious how the great or happy s.h.i.+ne, Or who have parts obscure and sad as mine; In its best prospect I but wish'd for life, To be th' a.s.siduous, gentle, useful wife; That lost, with wearied mind, and spirit poor, I drop my efforts, and can act no more; With growing joy I feel my spirits tend To that last scene where all my duties end."

Hope, ease, delight, the thoughts of dying gave, Till Lucy spoke with fondness of the grave; She smiled with wasted form, but spirit firm, And said, "She left but little for the worm:"

As toll'd the bell, "There's one," she said, "hath press'd Awhile before me to the bed of rest:"

And she beside her with attention spread The decorations of the maiden dead.

While quickly thus the mortal part declin'd, The happiest visions fill'd the active mind; A soft, religious melancholy gain'd Entire possession, and for ever reign'd: On Holy Writ her mind reposing dwelt, She saw the wonders, she the mercies felt; Till, in a bless'd and glorious reverie, She seem'd the Saviour as on earth to see, And, fill'd with love divine, th' attending friend to be; Or she who trembling, yet confiding, stole Near to the garment, touch'd it, and was whole; When, such the intenseness of the working thought, On her it seem'd the very deed was wrought; She the glad patient's fear and rapture found, The holy transport, and the healing wound; This was so fix'd, so grafted in the heart, That she adopted, nay became the part: But one chief scene was present to her sight, Her Saviour resting in the tomb by night; Her fever rose, and still her wedded mind Was to that scene, that hallow'd cave, confin'd - Where in the shade of death the body laid, There watch'd the spirit of the wandering maid; Her looks were fix'd, entranced, illumed, serene, In the still glory of the midnight scene: There at her Saviour's feet, in visions bless'd, Th' enraptured maid a sacred joy possess'd; In patience waiting for the first-born ray Of that all-glorious and triumphant day: To this idea all her soul she gave, Her mind reposing by the sacred grave; Then sleep would seal the eye, the vision close, And steep the solemn thoughts in brief repose.

Then grew the soul serene, and all its powers Again restored, illumed the dying hours; But reason dwelt where fancy stray'd before, And the mind wander'd from its views no more; Till death approach'd, when every look express'd A sense of bliss, till every sense had rest.

The mother lives, and has enough to buy The attentive ear and the submissive eye Of abject natures--these are daily told, How triumph'd beauty in the days of old; How, by her window seated, crowds have cast Admiring glances, wondering as they pa.s.s'd; How from her carriage as she stepp'd to pray, Divided ranks would humbly make her way; And how each voice in the astonish'd throng p.r.o.nounced her peerless as she moved along.

Her picture then the greedy Dame displays; Touch'd by no shame, she now demands its praise; In her tall mirror then she shows a face, Still coldly fair with unaffecting grace; These she compares: "It has the form," she cries, "But wants the air, the spirit, and the eyes; This, as a likeness, is correct and true, But there alone the living grace we view."

This said, th' applauding voice the Dame requir'd, And, gazing, slowly from the gla.s.s retired.

TALE IX.

ARABELLA.

Thrice blessed they that master so their blood - But earthly happier is the rose distill'd, Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness.

SHAKESPEARE, Midsummer Night's Dream.

I something do excuse the thing I hate, For his advantage whom I dearly love.

Measure for Measure.

Contempt, farewell! and maiden pride, adieu!

Much Ado about Nothing.

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: To 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 envy lives where emulation dies.

In all his strength contends the n.o.ble 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 s.e.x'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 and Montague: 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; 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 s.e.x 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 s.e.x 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 pa.s.sions must command, And yet possess--or 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 pa.s.sion, 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 a.s.sumed disguise; That every reasoning Brahmin, 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 prayers, 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."

The Vicar Holmes appear'd: he heard it said That ancient men best pleased the prudent maid; And true it was her ancient friends she loved, Servants when old she favour'd and approved; Age in her pious parents she revered, And neighbours were by length of days endear'd; But, if her husband too must ancient be, The good old vicar found it was not he.

On Captain Bligh her mind in balance hung - Though valiant, modest; and reserved, though young: Against these merits must defects be set - Though poor, imprudent; and though proud, in debt: In vain the captain close attention paid; She found him wanting, whom she fairly weigh'd.

Then came a youth, and all their friends agreed That Edward Huntly was the man indeed; Respectful duty he had paid awhile, Then ask'd her hand, and had a gracious smile: A lover now declared, he led the fair To woods and fields, to visits, and to pray'r; Then whisper'd softly--"Will you name the day?"

She softly whisper'd--"If you love me, stay."

"Oh! try me not beyond my strength," he cried: "Oh! be not weak," the prudent Maid replied; "But by some trial your affection prove - Respect, and not impatience, argues love: And love no more is by impatience known, Than ocean's depth is by its tempests shown: He whom a weak and fond impatience sways, But for himself with all his fervour prays, And not the maid he woos, but his own will obeys; And will she love the being who prefers, With so much ardour, his desire to hers?"

Young Edward grieved, but let not grief be seen; He knew obedience pleased his fancy's queen: Awhile he waited, and then cried--"Behold!

The year advancing, be no longer cold!"

For she had promised--"Let the flowers appear, And I will pa.s.s with thee the smiling year:"

Then pressing grew the youth; the more he press'd, The less inclined the maid to his request: "Let June arrive." Alas! when April came, It brought a stranger, and the stranger, shame; Nor could the Lover from his house persuade A stubborn la.s.s whom he had mournful made; Angry and weak, by thoughtless vengeance moved, She told her story to the Fair beloved; In strongest words th' unwelcome truth was shown, To blight his prospects, careless of her own.

Our heroine grieved, but had too firm a heart For him to soften, when she swore to part; In vain his seeming penitence and pray'r, His vows, his tears; she left him in despair: His mother fondly laid her grief aside, And to the reason of the nymph applied: - "It well becomes thee, lady, to appear, But not to be, in very truth, severe; Although the crime be odious in thy sight, That daring s.e.x is taught such things to slight, His heart is thine, although it once was frail; Think of his grief, and let his love prevail!"

"Plead thou no more, "the lofty la.s.s return'd; "Forgiving woman is deceived and spurn'd: Say that the crime is common--shall I take A common man my wedded lord to make?

See? a weak woman by his arts betray'd, An infant born his father to upbraid; Shall I forgive his vileness, take his name, Sanction his error, and partake his shame?

No! this a.s.sent would kindred frailty prove, A love for him would be a vicious love: Can a chaste maiden secret counsel hold With one whose crime by every mouth is told?

Forbid it spirit, prudence, virtuous pride; He must despise me, were he not denied: The way from vice the erring mind to win Is with presuming sinners to begin, And show, by scorning them, a just contempt for sin."

The youth, repulsed, to one more mild convey'd His heart, and smiled on the remorseless maid; The maid, remorseless, in her pride, the while Despised the insult, and return'd the smile.

First to admire, to praise her, and defend, Was (now in years advanced) a virgin-friend: Much she preferr'd, she cried the single state, "It was her choice"--it surely was her fate; And much it pleased her in the train to view A maiden vot'ress, wise and lovely too.

Time to the yielding mind his change imparts, He varies notions, and he alters hearts; 'Tis right, 'tis just to feel contempt for vice, But he that shows it may be over-nice: There are who feel, when young, the false sublime, And proudly love to show disdain for crime; To whom the future will new thoughts supply, The pride will soften, and the scorn will die; Nay, where they still the vice itself condemn, They bear the vicious, and consort with them: Young Captain Grove, when one had changed his side, Despised the venal turncoat, and defied; Old Colonel Grove now shakes him by the hand, Though he who bribes may still his vote command.

Why would not Ellen to Belinda speak, When she had flown to London for a week, And then return'd, to every friend's surprise, With twice the spirit, and with half the size?

She spoke not then--but, after years had flown, A better friend had Ellen never known: Was it the lady her mistake had seen?

Or had she too on such a journey been?

No: 'twas the gradual change in human hearts, That time, in commerce with the world, imparts; That on the roughest temper throws disguise, And steals from virtue her asperities.

The young and ardent, who with glowing zeal Felt wrath for trifles, and were proud to feel, Now find those trifles all the mind engage, To soothe dull hours, and cheat the cares of age; As young Zelinda, in her quaker-dress, Disdain'd each varying fas.h.i.+on's vile excess, And now her friends on old Zelinda gaze, Pleased in rich silks and orient gems to blaze: Changes like these 'tis folly to condemn, So virtue yields not, nor is changed with them.

Let us proceed: --Twelve brilliant years were past, Yet each with less of glory than the last.

Whether these years to this fair virgin gave A softer mind--effect they often have; Whether the virgin-state was not so bless'd As that good maiden in her zeal profess'd; Or whether lovers falling from her train, Gave greater price to those she could retain, Is all unknown;--but Arabella now Was kindly listening to a Merchant's vow, Who offer'd terms so fair, against his love To strive was folly, so she never strove. - Man in his earlier days we often find With a too easy and unguarded mind; But by increasing years and prudence taught, He grows reserved, and locks up every thought: Not thus the maiden, for in blooming youth She hides her thought and guards the tender truth: This, when no longer young, no more she hides, But frankly in the favour'd swain confides: Man, stubborn man, is like the growing tree, That, longer standing, still will harder be; And like its fruit, the virgin, first austere, Then kindly softening with the ripening year.

Now was the lover urgent, and the kind And yielding lady to his suit inclined: "A little time, my friend, is just, is right; We must be decent in our neighbours' sight:"

Still she allow'd him of his hopes to speak, And in compa.s.sion took off week by week; Till few remain'd, when, wearied with delay, She kindly meant to take off day by day.

That female Friend who gave our virgin praise For flying man and all his treacherous ways, Now heard with mingled anger, shame, and fear Of one accepted, and a wedding near; But she resolved again with friendly zeal To make the maid her scorn of wedlock feel; For she was grieved to find her work undone, And like a sister mourn'd the failing nun.

Why are these gentle maidens p.r.o.ne to make Their sister-doves the tempting world forsake?

Why all their triumph when a maid disdains The tyrant s.e.x, aud scorns to wear its chains?

Is it pure joy to see a sister flown From the false pleasures they themselves have known: Or do they, as the call-birds in the cage, Try, in pure envy, others to engage?

And therefore paint their native woods and groves, As scenes of dangerous joys and naughty loves?

Strong was the maiden's hope; her friend was proud, And had her notions to the world avow'd; And, could she find the Merchant weak and frail, With power to prove it, then she must prevail: For she aloud would publish his disgrace, And save his victim from a man so base.

When all inquiries had been duly made, Came the kind Friend her burthen to unlade: - "Alas! my dear! not all our care and art Can thread the maze of man's deceitful heart; Look not surprised--nor let resentment swell Those lovely features, all will yet be well; And thou, from love's and man's deceptions free, Wilt dwell in virgin-state, and walk to Heaven with me."

The Maiden frown'd, and then conceived "that wives Could walk as well, and lead as holy lives, As angry prudes who scorn'd the marriage-chain, Or luckless maids, who sought it still in vain."

The Friend was vex'd--she paused; at length she cried, "Know your own danger, then your lot decide: That traitor Beswell, while he seeks your hand, Has, I affirm, a wanton at command; A slave, a creature from a foreign place, The nurse and mother of a spurious race; Brown ugly b.a.s.t.a.r.ds (Heaven the word forgive, And the deed punis.h.!.+) in his cottage live; To town if business calls him, there he stays In sinful pleasures wasting countless days.