The Poetical Works of George Crabbe

"When thus the fool exposed the knave, Yet, ere he moved, he stood awhile, and took
Of my poor form a most alarming look;
'But, hark!' I cried, and he to move
began,-

I saw
The means of holding such a mind in awe,
And gain my safety by his dread of law.
'Alas!' I cried, 'I fear the Dean like you,
For I transgress, and am in trouble too:
If it be known that we are here, as sure
As here we are we must the law endure:
Each other's counsel therefore let us keep,
And each steal homeward to our beds and
sleep.'

""""Steal!' said the ruffian's conscience-
6 Well, agreed;

Steal on, and let us to the door proceed :

Escape alone engaged the dreadful man:
With eager hand I oped the ponderous door-
The wretch rush'd by me, and was heard no

666

more.

"So I escaped,-and when my dreams

came on,

I check'd the madness by the thoughts of
John:

Yet say I not what can or cannot be,
But give the story of my ghost and me."

BOOK XXI. SMUGGLERS AND POACHERS

A Widow at the Hall-Inquiry of Richard-
Relation of two Brothers-Their different
Character-Disposition-Modes of thinking
-James a Servant-Robert joins the
Smugglers-Rachel at the Hall-James
attached to her-Trade fails-Robert a
Poacher-Is in Danger-How released-
James and Rachel-Revenge excited-
Association formed-Attack resolved
Preparation made for Resistance-A Night
Adventure-Reflections.

THERE was a widow in the village known
To our good Squire, and he had favour shown
By frequent bounty-She as usual came,
And Richard saw the worn and weary frame,
Pale cheek, and eye subdued, of her whose
mind

Was grateful still, and glad a friend to find,
Though to the world long since and all its

hopes resign'd: '

Her easy form, in rustic neatness clad,
Was pleasing still! but she for ever sad.
"Deep is her grief?" said Richard-
"Truly deep,

And very still, and therefore seems to sleep;
To borrow simile, to paint her woes,
Theirs, like the river's motion, seems repose,
Making no petty murmuring,-settled, slow,
They never waste, they never overflow.
Rachel is one of those-for there are some
Who look for nothing in their days to come,
No good nor evil, neither hope nor fear,
Nothing remains or cheerful or severe;

For that was quick and prompt-this tem

perate and slow.

'Robert would all things he desired pursue, James would consider what was best to do; All spoke of Robert as a man they loved, And most of James as valued and approved. 'Both had some learning: Robert his acquired By quicker parts, and was by praise inspired; James, as he was in his acquirements slow, Would learn the worth of what he tried to know.

'In fact, this youth was generous-that was just;

The one you loved, the other you would trust: Yet him you loved you would for truth approve,

And him you trusted you would likewise love. 'Such were the brothers-James had found his way

To Nether Hall, and there inclined to stay; He could himself command, and therefore could obey :

He with the keeper took his daily round,
A rival grew, and some unkindness found;
But his superior farm'd! the place was void,
And James guns, dogs, and dignity enjoy'd.
'Robert had scorn of service; he would be
A slave to no man-happy were the free,
And only they ;-by such opinions led,
Robert to sundry kinds of trade was bred;
Nor let us wonder if he sometimes made
An active partner in a lawless trade;
Fond of adventure, wanton as the wave,
He loved the danger and the law to brave;
But these were chance adventures, known to
few,-

Not that the hero cared what people knew.
'The brothers met not often-When they
met

Although the darling of your heart were one;
But if the bondage fits you, I resign
You to your lot-I am content with mine!
'Thus would the lads their sentiments

express,

And part in earnest, part in playfulness; Till Love, controller of all hearts and eyes, Breaker of bonds, of friendship's holy ties, Awakener of new wills and slumbering sympathies,

Began his reign,-till Rachel, meek-eyed maid, That form, those cheeks, that faultless face display'd,

That child of gracious nature, ever neat
And never fine; a flowret simply sweet,
Seeming at least unconscious she was fair;
Meek in her spirit, timid in her air,
And shrinking from his glance if one presumed
To come too near the beauty as it bloom'd.
'Robert beheld her in her father's cot
Day after day, and blest his happy lot;
He look'd indeed, but he could not offend
By gentle looks-he was her father's friend :
She was accustom'd to that tender look,
And frankly gave the hand he fondly took;
Sheloved his stories,pleased she heard him play,
Pensive herself, she loved to see him gay,
And if they loved not yet, they were in Love's
highway.

'But Rachel now to womanhood was grown,
And would no more her faith and fondness own;
She called her latent prudence to her aid,
And grew observant, cautious, and afraid;
She heard relations of her lover's guile,
And could believe the danger of his smile:
With art insidious rival damsels strove
To show how false his speech, how feigned his
love;

And though her heart another story told, James talk'd of honest gains and scorn of debt, Her speech grew cautious, and her manner cold. Of virtuous labour, of a sober life,

And what with credit would support a wife. But Robert answer'd-" How can men advise Who to a master let their tongue and eyes? Whose words are not their own? whose foot and hand

Run at a nod, or act upon command ? Who cannot eat or drink, discourse or play, Without requesting others that they may. "Debt you would shun; but what advice to give

Who owe your service every hour you live! Let a bell sound, and from your friends you run,

'Rachel had village fame, was fair and tall, And gain'd a place of credit at the Hall; Where James beheld her seated in that place, With a child's meekness, and an angel's face; Her temper soft, her spirit firm, her words Simple and few as simple truth affords.

'James could but love her, he at church

had seen

The tall, fair maid, had met her on the green,
Admiring always, nor surprised to find
Her figure often present to his mind;
But now he saw her daily, and the sight
Gave him new pleasure and increased delight..

'But James, still prudent and reserved, Her father's maxim this: she understood There was some ill,-but he, she knew, was

though sure

The love he felt was love that would endure,
Would wait awhile, observing what was fit,
And meet, and right, nor would himself com-
mit:

Then was he flatter'd,-James in time became
Rich, both as slayer of the Baron's game,
And as protector,-not a female dwelt
In that demesne who had not feign'd or felt
Regard for James; and he from all had praise
Enough a young man's vanity to raise;
With all these pleasures he of course must part
When Rachel reign'd sole empress of his heart.
'Robert was now deprived of that delight
He once experienced in his mistress' sight;
For, though he now his frequent visits paid,
He saw but little of the cautious maid;
The simple common pleasures that he took
Grew dull, and he the wonted haunts forsook ;
His flute and song he left, his book and pen,
And sought the meetings of adventurous men ;
There was a love-born sadness in his breast,
That wanted stimulus to bring on rest;
These simple pleasures were no more of use,
And danger only could repose produce;
He join'd th' associates in their lawless trade,
And was at length of their profession made.
'He saw connected with th' adventurous

crew

Those whom he judged were sober men and

true;

good:

It was a traffic-but was done by night-
If wrong, how trade? why secrecy, if right?
But Robert's conscience, she believed, was
pure-

And that he read his Bible she was sure.

'James, better taught, in confidence declared
His grief for what his guilty brother dared :
He sigh'd to think how near he was akin
To one reduced by godless men to sin;
Who, being always of the law in dread,
To other crimes were by the danger led-
And crimes with like excuse- -The smuggler
cries,

'What guilt is his who pays for what he buys?" The poacher questions, with perverted mind, "Were not the gifts of heaven for all design'd?"

This cries, "I sin not-take not till I pay;"That, "My own hand brought down my proper prey :

And while to such fond arguments they cling,
How fear they God? how honour they the
king?

Such men associate, and each other aid,
Till all are guilty, rash, and desperate made;
Till to some lawless deed the wretches fly,
And in the act, or for the acting, die.
"The maid was frighten'd,-but, if this was
true,

He found that some, who should the trade Robert for certain no such danger knew,

He always pray'd ere he a trip began,
And was too happy for a wicked man:
How could a creature, who was always gay,
So kind to all men, so disposed to pray,
How could he give his heart to such an evil
way?

Yet she had fears,-for she could not believe
That James could lie, or purpose to deceive;
But still she found, though not without respect
For one so good, she must the man reject;
For, simple though she was, full well she knew
What this strong friendship led him to pursue;
And, let the man be honest as the light,
Love warps the mind a little from the right;
And she proposed, against the trying day,
What in the trial she should think and say.

'And now, their love avow'd, in both arose Fear and disdain-the orphan pair were foes. 'Robert, more generous of the two, avow'd His scorn, defiance, and contempt aloud.

'James talk'd of pity in a softer tone,
To Rachel speaking, and with her alone:
He knew full well, he said, to what must come
His wretched brother, what would be his
doom:

Thus he her bosom fenced with dread about;
But love he could not with his skill drive out.
Still he effected something,-and that skill
Made the love wretched, though it could not
kill;

And Robert fail'd, though much he tried, to
prove

He had no guilt-She granted he had love.
"Thus they proceeded, till a winter came,
When the stern keeper told of stolen game:
Throughout the woods the poaching dogs had
been,

Woods of their feather'd beauty were bereft,
The beauteous victims of the silent theft;
The well-known shops received a large supply,
That they who could not kill at least might
buy.

'James was enraged, enraged his lord, and
both

Confirm'd their threatening with a vengeful oath:

Fresh aid was sought,-and nightly on the lands

Walk'd on their watch the strong determined
bands:

Pardon was offer'd, and a promised pay
To him who would the desperate gang betray.
'Nor fail'd the measure,-on a certain night
A few were seized-the rest escaped by flight;

And from him nothing should the robbers Yet they resisted boldly ere they fled,

screen,

And though she thoughther Robert was secure In better thoughts, yet could she not be sure. 'James now was urgent,-it would break his heart

With hope, with her, and with such views to
part,

When one so wicked would her hand possess,
And he a brother!-that was his distress,
And must be hers--She heard him, and she
sigh'd,

Looking in doubt,-but nothing she replied.

'There was a generous feeling in her mind, That told her this was neither good nor kind: James caused her terror, but he did no moreHer love was now as it had been before. 'Their traffic fail'd,-and the adventurous

crew

No more their profitless attempts renew:
Dig they will not, and beg they might in vain-
Had they not pride, and what can then
remain ?

'Now was the game destroy'd, and not an
hare

Escaped at least the danger of the snare;

And blows were dealt around, and blood was
shed;

Two groaning helpers on the earth were laid,
When more arrived the lawful cause to aid :
Then four determined men were seized and
bound,

And Robert in this desperate number found:
In prison fetter'd, he deplored his fate,
And cursed the folly he perceived too late.
'James was a favourite with his lord,-the
zeal

He show'd was such as masters ever feel:
If he for vengeance on a culprit cried,
Or if for mercy, still his lord complied:
And now,
'twas said, he will for mercy plead,
For his own brother's was the guilty deed:
True, the hurt man is in a mending way,
But must be crippled to his dying day.

'Now James had vow'd the law should take

He now must die, she heard from every tongue

Die, and so thoughtless! perish, and so young! Brave, kind, and generous, tender, constant, true,

And he must die-then will I perish too! "A thousand acts in every age will prove Women are valiant in a cause they love; If fate the favour'd swain in danger place, They heed not danger-perils they embrace; They dare the world's contempt, they brave their name's disgrace;

They on the ocean meet its wild alarms, They search the dungeon with extended arms; The utmost trial of their faith they prove, And yield the lover to assert their love. 'James knew his power-his feelings were not nice

Mercy he sold, and she must pay the price: If his good lord forbore to urge their fate, And he the utmost of their guilt to state, The felons might their forfeit lives redeem, And in their country's cause regain esteem; But never more that man, whom he had shame To call his brother, must she see or name. Rachel was meek, but she had firmness too,

And reason'd much on what she ought to do: In Robert's place, she knew what she should choose

But life was not the thing she fear'd to lose : She knew that she could not their contract break,

Nor for her life a new engagement make;
But he was man, and guilty,-death so near
Might not to his as to her mind appear;
And he might wish, to spare that forfeit life,
The maid he loved might be his brother's wife,
Although that brother was his bitter foe,
And he must all the sweets of life forego.

"This would she try,-intent on this alone, She could assume a calm and settled tone: She spake with firmness-"I will Robert see, Know what he wishes, and what I must be;" For James had now discover'd to the maid His inmost heart, and how he must be paid, If he his lord would soften, and would hide The facts that must the culprit's fate decide. "Go not," he said,-for she her full intent Proclaim'd-To go she purposed, and she went:

strength;

And the sad couple could converse at length. 'It was a scene that shook her to repeat,Life fought with love, both powerful, and both sweet.

"Wilt thou die, Robert, or preserve thy life?

Shall I be thine own maid, or James's wife?" "His wife!-No!-Never will I thee resignNo, Rachel, no!"- "Then am I ever thine: I know thee rash and guilty,—but to thee

pledge my vow, and thine will ever be : Yet think again,—the life that God has lent Is thine, but not to cast away,-Consent, If 'tis thy wish; for this I made my way To thy distress-Command, and I obey."

6.66

Perhaps my brother may have gain'd
thy heart!"-

"Then why this visit, if I wish'd to part?
Was it, ah, man ungrateful! wise to make
Effort like this, to hazard for thy sake
A spotless reputation, and to be

A suppliant to that stern man for thee?
But I forgive,-thy spirit has been tried,
And thou art weak, but still thou must decide.
""I ask'd thy brother, James, would'st

thou command,

Without the loving heart, the obedient hand? I ask thee, Robert, lover, canst thou part With this poor hand, when master of the

heart?

He answer'd, 'Yes! '-I tarry thy reply, Resign'd with him to live, content with thee to die."

Assured of this, with spirits low and tame, Here life so purchased-there a death of shame ;

Death once his merriment, but now his dread
And he with terror thought upon the dead:
"O! sure 'tis better to endure the care
And pain of life, than go we know not where !-
And is there not the dreaded hell for sin,
Or is it only this I feel within ?
That, if it lasted, no man would sustain,
But would by any change relieve the pain:
Forgive me, love! it is a loathsome thing
To live not thine; but still this dreaded sting
Of death torments me-I to nature cling--
Go, and be his—but love him not, be sure-
Go, love him not,-and I will life endure:

She took a guide, and went with purpose stern The secret wishes of her friend to learn.

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