Part 4 (2/2)

Of such is Archer, he who keeps in awe Contending parties by his threats of law: He, roughly honest, has been long a guide In Borough-business, on the conquering side; And seen so much of both sides, and so long, He thinks the bias of man's mind goes wrong: Thus, though he's friendly, he is still severe, Surly, though kind, suspiciously sincere: So much he's seen of baseness in the mind, That, while a friend to man, he scorns mankind; He knows the human heart, and sees with dread, By slight temptation, how the strong are led; He knows how interest can asunder rend The bond of parent, master, guardian, friend, To form a new and a degrading tie 'Twixt needy vice and tempting villainy.

Sound in himself, yet when such flaws appear, He doubts of all, and learns that self to fear: For where so dark the moral view is grown, A timid conscience trembles for her own; The pitchy-taint of general vice is such As daubs the fancy, and you dread the touch.

Far unlike him was one in former times, Famed for the spoil he gather'd by his crimes; Who, while his brethren nibbling held their prey, He like an eagle seized and bore the whole away.

Swallow, a poor Attorney, brought his boy Up at his desk, and gave him his employ; He would have bound him to an honest trade, Could preparations have been duly made.

The clerks.h.i.+p ended, both the sire and son Together did what business could be done; Sometimes they'd luck to stir up small disputes Among their friends, and raise them into suits: Though close and hard, the father was content With this resource, now old and indolent: But his young Swallow, gaping and alive To fiercer feelings, was resolved to thrive: - ”Father,” he said, ”but little can they win, Who hunt in couples where the game is thin; Let's part in peace, and each pursue his gain, Where it may start--our love may yet remain.”

The parent growl'd, he couldn't think that love Made the young c.o.c.katrice his den remove; But, taught by habit, he the truth suppress ”d, Forced a frank look, and said he ”thought it best.”

Not long they'd parted ere dispute arose; The game they hunted quickly made them foes.

Some house the father by his art had won Seem'd a fit cause of contest to the son, Who raised a claimant, and then found a way By a staunch witness to secure his prey.

The people cursed him, but in times of need Trusted in one so certain to succeed: By Law's dark by-ways he had stored his mind With wicked knowledge, how to cheat mankind.

Few are the freeholds in our ancient town; A copyright from heir to heir came down, From whence some heat arose, when there was doubt In point of heirs.h.i.+p; but the fire went out, Till our attorney had the art to raise The dying spark, and blow it to a blaze: For this he now began his friends to treat; His way to starve them was to make them eat, And drink oblivious draughts--to his applause, It must be said, he never starved a cause; He'd roast and boil'd upon his board; the boast Of half his victims was his boil'd and roast; And these at every hour: --he seldom took Aside his client, till he'd praised his cook; Nor to an office led him, there in pain To give his story and go out again; But first the brandy and the chine where seen, And then the business came by starts between.

”Well, if 'tis so, the house to you belongs; But have you money to redress these wrongs?

Nay, look not sad, my friend; if you're correct, You'll find the friends.h.i.+p that you'd not expect.”

If right the man, the house was Swallow's own; If wrong, his kindness and good-will were shown: ”Rogue!” ”Villain!” ”Scoundrel!” cried the losers all: He let them cry, for what would that recall?

At length he left us, took a village seat, And like a vulture look'd abroad for meat; The Borough-booty, give it all its praise, Had only served the appet.i.te to raise; But if from simple heirs he drew their land, He might a n.o.ble feast at will command; Still he proceeded by his former rules, His bait their pleasures, when he fished for fools - Flagons and haunches on his board were placed, And subtle avarice look'd like thoughtless waste: Most of his friends, though youth from him had fled, Were young, were minors, of their sires in dread; Or those whom widow'd mothers kept in bounds, And check'd their generous rage for steeds and hounds; Or such as travell'd 'cross the land to view A Christian's conflict with a boxing Jew: Some too had run upon Newmarket heath With so much speed that they were out of breath; Others had tasted claret, till they now To humbler port would turn, and knew not how.

All these for favours would to Swallow run, Who never sought their thanks for all he'd done; He kindly took them by the hand, then bow'd Politely low, and thus his love avow'd - (For he'd a way that many judged polite, A cunning dog--he'd fawn before he'd bite) - ”Observe, my friends, the frailty of our race When age unmans us--let me state a case: There's our friend Rupert--we shall soon redress His present evil--drink to our success - I flatter not; but did you ever see Limbs better turn'd? a prettier boy than he?

His senses all acute, his pa.s.sions such As Nature gave--she never does too much; His the bold wish the cup of joy to drain, And strength to bear it without qualm or pain.

”Now view his father as he dozing lies, Whose senses wake not when he opes his eyes; Who slips and shuffles when he means to walk, And lisps and gabbles if he tries to talk; Feeling he's none--he could as soon destroy The earth itself, as aught it holds enjoy; A nurse attends him to lay straight his limbs, Present his gruel, and respect his whims: Now shall this dotard from our hero hold His lands and lords.h.i.+ps? Shall he hide his gold!

That which he cannot use, and dare not show, And will not give--why longer should he owe?

Yet, t'would be murder should we snap the locks, And take the thing he wors.h.i.+ps from the box; So let him dote and dream: but, till he die, Shall not our generous heir receive supply?

For ever sitting on the river's brink?

And ever thirsty, shall he fear to drink?

The means are simple, let him only wish, Then say he's willing, and I'll fill his dish.”

They all applauded, and not least the boy, Who now replied, ”It fill'd his heart with joy To find he needed not deliv'rance crave Of death, or wish the Justice in the grave; Who, while he spent, would every art retain, Of luring home the scatter'd gold again; Just as a fountain gaily spirts and plays With what returns in still and secret ways.”

Short was the dream of bliss; he quickly found His father's acres all were Swallow's ground.

Yet to those arts would other heroes lend A willing ear, and Swallow was their friend; Ever successful, some began to think That Satan help'd him to his pen and ink; And shrewd suspicions ran about the place, ”There was a compact”--I must leave the case.

But of the parties, had the fiend been one, The business could not have been speedier done: Still when a man has angled day and night, The silliest gudgeons will refuse to bite: So Swallow tried no more: but if they came To seek his friends.h.i.+p, that remain'd the same: Thus he retired in peace, and some would say He'd balk'd his partner, and had learn'd to pray.

To this some zealots lent an ear, and sought How Swallow felt, then said ”a change is wrought.”

'Twas true there wanted all the signs of grace, But there were strong professions in their place; Then, too, the less that men from him expect, The more the praise to the converting sect; He had not yet subscribed to all their creed, Nor own'd a Call, but he confess'd the need: His aquiescent speech, his gracious look, That pure attention, when the brethren spoke, Was all contrition,--he had felt the wound, And with confession would again be sound.

True, Swallow's board had still the sumptuous treat; But could they blame? the warmest zealots eat: He drank--'twas needful his poor nerves to brace; He swore--'twas habit; he was grieved--'twas grace: What could they do a new-born zeal to nurse?

”His wealth's undoubted--let him hold our purse; He'll add his bounty, and the house we'll raise Hard by the church, and gather all her strays: We'll watch her sinners as they home retire, And pluck the brands from the devouring fire.”

Alas! such speech was but an empty boast; The good men reckon'd, but without their host; Swallow, delighted, took the trusted store, And own'd the sum; they did not ask for more, Till more was needed; when they call'd for aid - And had it?--No, their agent was afraid: ”Could he but know to whom he should refund He would most gladly--nay, he'd go beyond; But when such numbers claim'd, when some were gone.

And others going--he must hold it on; The Lord would help them.”--Loud their anger grew, And while they threat'ning from his door withdrew, He bow'd politely low, and bade them all adieu, But lives the man by whom such deeds are done!

Yes, many such--But Swallow's race is run; His name is lost,--for though his sons have name, It is not his, they all escape the shame; Nor is there vestige now of all he had, His means are wasted, for his heir was mad: Still we of Swallow as a monster speak, A hard bad man, who prey'd upon the weak.

LETTER VII.

Finirent multi letho mala; credula vitam Spes alit, et melius cras fore semper ait.

TIBULLUS.

He fell to juggle, cant, and cheat . . .

For as those fowls that live in water Are never wet, he did but smatter; Whate'er he labour'd to appear, His understanding still was clear.

A paltry wretch he had, half starved, That him in place of zany served.

BUTLER, Hudibras.

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