JUSTICE
Condemned—­

PENDULOUS
EXECUTED.

JUSTICE
How?

PENDULOUS CUT DOWN and CAME TO LIFE AGAIN.  False delicacy, adieu!  The true sort, which this lady has manifested—­by an expedient which at first sight might seem a little unpromising, has cured me of the other.  We are now on even terms.

MISS FLYN
And may—­

PENDULOUS
Marry,—­I know it was your word.

MISS FLYN
And make a very quiet—­

PENDULOUS
Exemplary—­

MISS FLYN
Agreeing pair of—­

PENDULOUS
ACQUITTED FELONS.

FLINT And let the prejudiced against our profession acknowledge, that a money-lender may have the heart of a father; and that in the casket, whose loss grieved him so sorely, he valued nothing so dear as (turning to Marian) one poor domestic jewel.

* * * * *

      THE WIFE’S TRIAL; OR, THE INTRUDING WIDOW

      A DRAMATIC POEM

      Founded on Mr. Crabbe’s Tale of “The Confidant."

      (1827)

* * * * *

      CHARACTERS

      MR. SELBY,—­a Wiltshire Gentleman_. 
      KATHERINE, Wife to Selby. 
      LUCY, Sister to Selby. 
      MRS. FRAMPTON, a Widow. 
      SERVANTS.

      SCENE.—­At Mr. Selby’s house, or in the grounds adjacent.

* * * * *

SCENE—­A Library.

MR. SELBY, KATHERINE.

      SELBY
      Do not too far mistake me, gentlest wife;
      I meant to chide your virtues, not yourself,
      And those too with allowance.  I have not
      Been blest by thy fair side with five white years
      Of smooth and even wedlock, now to touch
      With any strain of harshness on a string
      Hath yielded me such music.  ’Twas the quality
      Of a too grateful nature in my Katherine,
      That to the lame performance of some vows,
      And common courtesies of man to wife,
      Attributing too much, hath sometimes seem’d
      To esteem in favours, what in that blest union
      Are but reciprocal and trivial dues,
      As fairly yours as mine:  ’twas this I thought
      Gently to reprehend.

      KATHERINE
      In friendship’s barter
      The riches we exchange should hold some level,
      And corresponding worth.  Jewels for toys
      Demand some thanks thrown in.  You took me, sir,
      To that blest haven of my peace, your bosom,
      An orphan founder’d in the world’s black storm. 
      Poor, you have made me rich; from lonely maiden,
      Your cherish’d and your full-accompanied wife.