Page:Poetical pieces on various subjects.pdf/22

 His grief was now extreme, his sorrow great!

While self-reproach within himself did fret.

Far from his eye-lids sleep did now depart,

And morning sun struck terror to his heart;

His tradesmen came; he bade them yet delay,

And put it of until another day.

They did consent; then he himself to screen,

Did disappear, not wishing to be seen;

He in his room next day himself inclos'd,

And sent them word that he was indispos'd;

But conscious of the long fore-boded blast,

They poor Adulphus into jail did cast;

Possessions now' were sold by legal grant,

And him transported to the doors of want;

Tho' freed from prison, he was now reduc'd,

Which great distraction to his mind produc'd;

His substance gone, and all his prospects chang'd

Distress’d him so he turn’d quite derang'd;

In raving madness he did then reveal,

That secret which so long he did conceal,

Which unto ruin brought him very fast,

And caus'd him turn a lunatic at last;

In kindness then to Bedlam he was sent,

And with the dismal place seem'd quite content;