Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/535

 MATTHEW PRIOR

Her thought still confin'd to its own little sphere, She minded not who did excel or did err But just as the matter related to her.

Then too when her private tribunal was rear'd

Her mercy so mix'd with her judgment appear'd

That her foes were condemn'd and her friends always clear J d.

Her religion so well with her learning did suit That in practice sincere, and in controverse mute, She show'd she knew better to live than dispute.

Some parts of the Bible by heart she recited,

And much in historical chapters delighted,

But in points about Faith she was something short sighted,

So notions and modes she refer J d to the schools, And in matters of conscience adher'd to two rules, To advise with no bigots, and jest with no fools.

And scrupling but little, enough she bcliev'd,

By charity ample small sins she retrieved,

And when she had new clothes she always receiv'd.

Thus still whilst her morning unseen fled away

In ordering the linen and making the tea

That she scarce could have time for the psalms of the day ,

And while after dinner the night came so soon

That half she propos'd very seldom was done;

With twenty God bless me's, how this day is gone'

While she read and accounted and paid and abated,

Eat and drank, play'd and work'd, laugh'd and cried, lov'd

and hated, Ab answered the end of her being created.

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