Page:Poetical pieces on various subjects.pdf/21

 Yet as delusion still empower'd his mind,

He yet believ'd that he the store would find;

And thought himself the only guilty man;

For calling comp'ny had defeat the plan,

He order'd all his tradesmen to depart,

And come to-morrow as the sun did start.

Then to his friends again he did resort,

And spent some hours in jovial mirth and sport.

(They being gone) then all to peace was hush'd,

He thought the hour had come he long had wish'd.

To Bed he went, and fondly did believe,

That thirty thousand pounds he'd now receive.

He in his room did place a shining light,

That nothing might obstruct the pleasant sight.

But tho' he slept no Benefactor came,

Which made him dread his vain deceitful dream;

Yet in the dreary midnight's sullen gloom,

He thought he heard a rustling in his room;]

Then sudden joy flutter'd in his breast,

And from his bed he springs in eager haste;

He crept along, his feet behind he drags.

And searched ev'ry corner for the bags.

But no strange vision to him did appear,

Nor golden coin his tortur'd mind to cheer.