Now all his kindred,--neither rich nor poor, -
Kept the wolf want some distance from the door.
In piteous plight he knock'd at George's gate,
And begg'd for aid, as he described his state:-
But stern was George;--"Let them who had thee strong,
Help thee to drag thy weaken'd frame along;
To us a stranger, while your limbs would move,
From us depart, and try a stranger's love:-
"Ha! dost thou murmur?"--for, in Roger's throat,
Was "Rascal!" rising with disdainful note.
To pious James he then his prayer address'd; -
"Good-lack," quoth James, "thy sorrows pierce my breast
And, had I wealth, as have my brethren twain,
One board should feed us and one roof contain:
But plead I will thy cause, and I will pray:
And so farewell! Heaven help thee on thy way!"
"Scoundrel!" said Roger (but apart);--and told
His case to Peter;--Peter too was cold;
"The rates are high; we have a-many poor;
But I will think,"--he said, and shut the door.
Then the gay niece the seeming pauper press'd; -
"Turn, Nancy, turn, and view this form distress'd:
Akin to thine is this declining frame,
And this poor beggar claims an Uncle's name."
"Avaunt! begone!" the courteous maiden said,
"Thou vile impostor! Uncle Roger's dead:
I hate thee, beast; thy look my spirit shocks;
Oh! that I saw thee starving in the stocks!"
"My gentle niece!" he said--and sought the wood,
"I hunger, fellow; prithee, give me food!"