Thehusband, not conceiving how his wife,
          Could be so weak and ignorant of life,
          The circumstances made her fully tell,
          Repeat them o’er and on each action dwell. 
          Enraged at length, a pistol by the bed
          He seized and swore at once he’d shoot her dead. 
          The belle with tears replied, howe’er she’d swerved,
          Such cruel treatment never she deserved. 
          Her innocence, and simple, gentle way,
          At length appeared his frantick rage to lay. 
          What injury, continued she, is done? 
          The strictest scrutiny I would not shun;
          Your goods and money, ev’ry thing is right;
          And Andrew told me, nothing he would slight;
          That you would find much more than you could want;
          And this I hope to me you’ll freely grant;
          If falsehood I advance, my life I’ll lose;
          Your equity, I trust, will me excuse.

          A little cooled, then William thus replied,
          We’ll say no more; you have been drawn aside;
          What passed you fancied acting for the best,
          And I’ll consent to put the thing at rest;
          To nothing good such altercations tend;
          I’ve but a word:  to that attention lend;
          Contrive to-morrow that I here entrap
          This fellow who has caused your sad mishap;
          You’ll utter not a word of what I’ve said;
          Be secret or at once I’ll strike you dead. 
          Adroitly you must act:  for instance say;
          I’m on a second journey gone away;
          A message or a letter to him send,
          Soliciting that he’ll on you attend,
          That something you have got to let him know;—­
          To come, no doubt, the rascal won’t be slow;
          Amuse him then with converse most absurd,
          But of the ear remember,—­not a word;
          That’s finished now, and nothing can require;
          You’ll carefully perform what I desire. 
          Poor innocent! the point she nicely hit;
          Fear oft gives simpletons a sort of wit.

          Thearch gallant arrived; the husband came
          Ascended to the room where sat his dame;
          Much noise he made, his coming to announce;
          The lover, terrified, began to bounce;
          Now here, now there, no shelter could he meet;
          Between the bed and wall he put his feet,
          And lay concealed, while William loudly knocked;
          Fair Alice readily the door unlocked,
          And, pointing with her hand, informed the spouse,
          Where he might easily his rival rouse.