Page:The lives of the poets of Great Britain and Ireland to the time of Dean Swift - Volume 4.djvu/341

Rh Mr. Rowe being at Bath, in the year 1709, was introduced into the company of Miſs Singer, who lived in a retirement not far from the city. The idea he had conceived of her from report and her writings, charmed him; but when he had ſeen and converſed with her, he felt another kind of impreſſion, and the eſteem of her accompliſhments was heightened into the rapture of a lover. During the courtſhip, he wrote a poetical Epiſtle to a friend, who was a neighbour of Mrs. Singer, and acquainted with the family, in which were the following lines.

He married her in the year 1710, and Mrs. Rowe’s exalted merit, and amiable qualities, could not fail to inſpire the moſt generous and laſting paſſion. Mr. Rowe knew how to value that treaſure of wit, ſoftnefs and virtue, with which heaven had bleſſed him; and made it his ſtudy to repay the felicity with which ſhe crowned his life. The eſteem and tenderneſs he had for her is inexpreſſible, and poſſeſſion ſeems never to have abated the fondneſs and admiration of the lover; a circumſtance which ſeldom happens, but to thoſe who are capable