Or any diff’rence ’tween the friend and spouse;
          In short, before suspicions ’gan to rouse,
          Or alteration lent the senses aid:—­
          To love, a sacrifice was fully made. 
          The lucky wight more pleasure would have felt,
          If sensible he’d been with whom he dealt: 
          The mistress rather more of beauty had,
          And Quality of course must something add.

          Thisscene just ended, t’other actor came,
          Whose prompt arrival much surprised the dame,
          For, as a husband, Clidamant had ne’er
          Such ardour shown, he seemed beyond his sphere. 
          The lady to the girl imputed this,
          And thought, to hint it, would not be amiss.

          Theentertainment o’er, away they went
          To quit the dark abode they were intent. 
          The partner in amour repaired above;
          But when the husband saw his wedded love
          Ascend the stairs, and she the friend perceived,
          We well may judge how bosoms beat and heaved.

          Themaster of the house conceived it best
          To keep the whole a secret in his breast. 
          But to discover all, his lovely rib
          Appeared disposed, though wives can often fib;
          The silliest of the throng (or high or low),
          Most perfectly the science seem to know.

          Somewill pretend that Alice, in her heart
          Was sorry she had acted such a part,
          And not a better method sought to gain
          The money which had caused her master’s pain;
          Lamented much the case, and tried to please
          By ev’ry means that might his trouble ease. 
          But this is merely with design to make
          The tale a more impressive feature take.

          Twoquestions may agitate around;
          The one, if ’mong the brotherhood renowned,
          The husband, who thus felt disgraced,
          Should (with the usual ornaments) be placed? 
          But I no grounds for such conclusion see: 
          Both friend and wife were from suspicion free;
          Of one another they had never thought,
          Though in the mystick scene together brought. 
          The other is:—­Should she, who was misused,
          Have sought revenge for being so abused? 
          Though this sufficiently I have maintained,
          The lady inconsolable remained.

          Heav’nguard the fair, who meet with ills like these,
          And nothing can their wounded minds appease: 
          I many know howe’er, who would but laugh,
          And treat such accidents as light as chaff. 
          But I have done:  no more of that or this;
          May ev’ry belle receive her lot of bliss!