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 "Then take her, and may she prove deserving of your love."

The lovely maid smiled consent; and Mr Benley hastened to the village, where the joyful tidings soon spread. The tenants flew with cheerful haste to pay their duty to their illustrious landlord, and none refused the invitation of his lordship.

yonder copse, where once the garden smil'd,

And, still, where many a garden flower grows wild,

There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose,

The village preacher's modest mansion rose.

A man he was to all the country dear,

And passing rich-with forty pounds a-year.

Remote from towns, he ran his godly race;

Nor e'er had changed, nor wish'd to change his place.

Unpractis'd he, to fawn or seek for power,

By doctrines fashion'd to the varying hour:

Far other aims his heart had learn'd to prize,

More skill'd to raise the wretched than to rise.

His house was known to all the vagrant train:

He chid their wand'rings, but reliev'd their pain.

The long-remember'd beggar was his guest,

Whose beard descending swept his aged breast :

The ruin'd spendthrift, now no longer proud,

Claim'd kindred there, and had his claims allow'd:

The broken soldier, kindly bid to stay,

Sat by his fire, and talk'd the night away ;

Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done,

Shoulder'd his crutch, and shew'd how fields were won.