herself in her house, and embitters her whole existence by her selfish threats and ungenerous extortions. The husband, who had been greatly disturbed at the change in his wife's temper and spirits, at last accidentally overhears enough to put him in possession of the fact; and resolving to forgive a fault so long past, and so well repaired, takes occasion to intimate his knowledge of it, and his disdain of the false confidant, in an ingenious apologue,-which, however, is plain enough to drive the pestilent visitor from his house, and to restore peace and confidence to the bosom of his grateful wife. — JEFFREY.]

TALE XVII.

RESENTMENT.

She hath a tear for pity, and a hand

Open as day for melting charity;

Yet, notwithstanding, being incensed, is flint

Her temper, therefore, must be well observed. -2 Henry IV.

Three or four wenches where I stood cried-" Alas! good soul!" and forgave him with all their hearts; but there is no heed to be taken of them: if Cæsar had stabb'd their mothers, they would have done no less.--Julius Cæsar.

How dost? Art cold?

I'm cold myself—Where is the straw, my fellow?

The art of our necessities is strange,

163

TALE XVII.

RESENTMENT. (1)

FEMALES there are of unsuspicious mind,
Easy and soft, and credulous and kind;
Who, when offended for the twentieth time,
Will hear th' offender and forgive the crime :
And there are others whom, like these to cheat,
Asks but the humblest effort of deceit ;
But they, once injured, feel a strong disdain,
And, seldom pardoning, never trust again;
Urged by religion, they forgive-but yet
Guard the warm heart, and never more forget:
Those are like wax-apply them to the fire,
Melting, they take th' impressions you desire;
Easy to mould, and fashion as you please,
And again moulded with an equal ease:
Like smelted iron these the forms retain,
But once impress'd will never melt again.

A busy port a serious Merchant made His chosen place to recommence his trade ; And brought his Lady, who, their children dead, Their native seat of recent sorrow fled :

(1) [It is understood that this tale was suggested by some realities in the history of Mrs. Elmy, the mother of the Poet's wife.]