Meanwhile, the storm from ev’ry quarter pressed;
          Our traveller was soon to death distressed;
          With cold benumbed; by fell despair o’erspread;
          He trembled, groaned:—­teeth chattered in his head;
          So loud his plaints, at length they reached the ear
          Of one who dwelled within the mansion near: 
          A servant girl; her mistress brisk and gay: 
          A youthful widow, charming as the day;
          The governor she privately received: 
          A noble marquis, who her cares relieved. 
          Oft interrupted when he sought the fair,
          And wished at ease her company to share;
          Desirous too of passing quite unknown,
          A private door he presently was shown,
          That opened to the fields, and gave access: 
          Through this he visited with such address,
          That none within the town his commerce viewed,
          Nor e’en a servant’s eye his course pursued. 
          Surprise I feel, since pleasures of the mind,
          Apparently were not for lords designed;
          More pleased they seem when made the talk around
          And soft amours divulged, delights are found.

          Ithappened that the night our Job arrived,
          And, stretched on straw, misfortune just survived,
          The lady thought her fond gallant to see,
          And ev’ry moment hoped with him to be. 
          The supper ready, and the room prepared,
          Each rarity was served:  no trouble spared;
          Baths, perfumes, wines, most exquisite, in place,
          And ev’ry thing around displaying grace,
          With Cupid’s whole artillery in view,
          Not his, who would with sighs alone pursue,
          But that kind god who always favour shows,
          The source of happiness, whence pleasure flows.

          Meanwhile, however, while thus the lady sought. 
          By ev’ry charm to please, a note was brought;
          A page conveyed it, by the marquis sent,
          To say his coming business would prevent. 
          The disappointment doubtless was severe,
          But consolation certainly was near;
          It proved to Reynold wonderfully kind,
          For scarcely had our traveller resigned,
          And groaned aloud, but, tender as her dame,
          In haste the confidential servant came,
          And to the widow said:—­I hear below
          Some poor unfortunate o’ercome with woe;
          ’Tis piercing cold, and he perhaps will die
          Some place, pray grant, where he to-night may lie.

          Mostreadily, replied the courteous fair,
          We never use the garret:—­lodge him there;
          Some straw upon a couch will make a bed,
          On which the wand’rer may repose his head;
          Shut well the door, but first provide some meat,
          And then permit him thither to retreat.