And with degraded Vanity unfold, At Church she points to one tall Seat, and "There Touch'd by the Pity he had felt before, For her Sir Denys op'd the Alms-house Door; "With all her Faults," he said, "the Woman knew "How to distinguish-had a Manner too; 66 And, as they say, she is allied to some "In decent station-let the Creature come." Here she and Blaney meet, and take their view Still with regret departed Glories state, And mourn their grievous Fall, and curse their rigorous Fate. LETTER XVI. INHABITANTS OF THE ALMS-HOUSE. BENBOW. Thou art the Knight of the Burning Lamp-If thou wast any way given to virtue, I would swear by thy face; my oath should be by this fire. Oh! thou'rt a perpetual triumph, thou hast saved me a thousand Marks in links and torches, walking in a night betwixt tavern and tavern. Ebrietas tibi fida comes, tibi Luxus, et atris Shakspeare. Silius Italicus. BENBOW. An improper Companion for the Badgemen of the Alms-house.He resembles Bardolph.-Left in Trade by his Father.-Contracts useless Friendships.-His Friends drink with him, and employ others.-Called worthy and honest! Why.-Effect of Wine on the Mind of Man. - Benbow's common Subjectthe Praise of departed Friends and Patrons.-'Squire Asgill, at the Grange: His Manners, Servants, Friends.-True to his Church ought therefore to be spared.-His Son's different Conduct.-Vexation of the Father's Spirit if admitted to see the Alteration.-Captain Dowling, a boon Companion, ready to drink at all Times, and with any Company: famous in his Club-room. His easy Departure.-Dolly Murrey, a Maiden advanced in Years: abides by Ratafia and Cards.-Her free Manners. Her Skill in the Game.- Her Preparation and Death.-Benbow, how interrupted: his Submission. LETTER XVI. INHABITANTS OF THE ALMS-HOUSE. BENBOW. SEE! yonder Badgeman, with that glowing Facė, Vast sums were paid, and many Years were past, Benbow, a boon Companion, long approv'd 'twas hard:" These were his Friends-his Foes conceiv'd the case The reasoning few, who neither scorn'd nor lov'd, Benbow, the Father, left Possessions fair, The Night with him; his Day was unemploy'd : Of late he came, with Passions unsubdued, Where gloomy Thoughts arise, where grievous Cares intrude. Known but in Drink,-he found an easy Friend, Well pleas'd his Worth and Honour to commend; And thus inform'd, the Guardian of the Trust Heard the Applause and said the Claim was just ; A worthy Soul! unfitted for the Strife, Care and Contention of a busy Life ; Worthy, and why?-that o'er the Midnight bowl With Wine inflated, Man is all upblown, And feels a Power which he believes his own ; With Fancy soaring to the Skies, he thinks His all the Virtues all the while he drinks; |