George Crabbe: Poems, Volume 3 (of 3)

“No letters, Tom?” said Richard—“None to-day.”— “Excuse me, Brother, I must now away; Matilda never in her life so long Deferr’d—Alas! there must be something wrong!” “Comfort!”...

The Brothers spoke of Ghosts—a favourite theme With those who love to reason or to dream; And they, as greater men were wont to do, Felt strong desire to think the stories true:...

Again the Brothers saw their friend the priest, Who shared the comforts he so much increased; Absent of late—and thus the squire address’d, With welcome smile, his ancient frien...

Three weeks had past, and Richard rambles now Far as the dinners of the day allow; He rode to Farley Grange and Finley Mere, That house so ancient, and that lake so clear: He ro...

The letters Richard in a morning read To quiet and domestic comforts led; And George, who thought the world could not supply Comfort so pure, reflected with a sigh; Then would p...

There was a widow in the village known To our good Squire, and he had favour shown By frequent bounty.—She as usual came; And Richard saw the worn and weary frame, Pale cheek, a...

There was a Youth, and we would call him poor, Save that he wished not for one Shilling more— No, not one Shilling; but th’ ambitious Boy Wished for more Wealth than Mortals can...

Richard one morning—it was custom now— Walk’d and conversed with labourers at the plough; With thrashers hastening to their daily task; With woodmen resting o’er the enlivening...

In the still Night and in his Hours of Rest } Thoughts of the kind in Dreams his Soul possess’d; } He view’d the Place he lov’d, and what he felt express’d: } “Hail, favorite Se...

“I met,” said Richard, when return’d to dine, “In my excursion, with a friend of mine; Friend! I mistake—but yet I knew him well, Ours was the village where he came to dwell; He...

Richard one month had with his brother been, And had his guests, his friends, his favourites seen; Had heard the rector, who with decent force, But not of action, aided his disc...

The very miscellaneous nature of the contents of this third and last volume of the present edition of Crabbe’s _Poems_ obliges me to trouble the reader with a rather lengthy ser...

In their discourse again the Brothers dwelt On early subjects—what they once had felt, Once thought, of things mysterious:—themes that all With some degree of reverence recall....

Bleak was the morn—Said Richard, with a sigh, } “I must depart!”—“That, Brother, I deny,” } Said George—“You may; but I perceive not why.” } This point before had been discuss’d...

“Would you believe it, Richard, that fair she Has had three husbands? I repeat it, _three_! True, she has years beyond your reckoning seen, With distance and a window for their...

There are who reason, but in reasoning stray Because they deviate from the plain, right Way; Who by their own just feelings might abide And seldom need a Caution or a Guide. (D.)

Bleak was the morn: said Richard, with a sigh, } “I must depart.”—“That, Brother, I deny,” } Said George, “you may; but prithee tell me why.” } This point before had been discus...

The Brothers dwelt upon their favourite themes Of ghosts, and spectres, demons, devils, dreams; These to all kinds of ghostly subjects led, } Things we believe not, yet we ever...

“Is there not Danger when a lover gains His lady’s heart, and her consent obtains? (Suppose their union for a while delay’d, As when a flinching father is afraid.) Now, when the...

Well, then, it seems from fairy land we come To this of truth! and this must be our home. What can we do? the air is bleak and cold, And all is dark and dull that we behold. In...

Introductory Discourse—For what Purpose would a Ghost appear?—How the Purpose would be answered—The Fact admitted, would not Doubts return?—Family Stories of Apparitions—Story o...

Richard meets an Acquaintance of his Youth—The Kind of Meeting—His School—The Doctor Sidmere and his Family—Belwood, a Pupil—The Doctor’s Opinion of him—The Opinion of his Wife—...

The Rector of the Parish—His Manner of teaching—Of living—Richard’s Correspondence—The Letters received—Love that survives Marriage—That dies in consequence—That is permitted to...

A Widow at the Hall—Inquiry of Richard—Relation of two Brothers—Their different Character—Disposition—Modes of thinking—James a Servant—Robert joins the Smugglers—Rachel at the...

Discourse on Jealousy—Of unsuspicious Men—Visit [to] William and his Wife—His Dwelling—Story of William and Fanny—Character of both—Their Contract—Fanny’s Visit to an Aunt—Its C...

The Rector at the Hall—Why absent—He relates the Story of Sir Owen—His Marriage—Death of his Lady—His Mind acquires new Energy—His Passions awake—His Taste and Sensibility—Admir...

A Morning Ride—A Purchase of the Squire—The Way to it described—The former Proprietor—Richard’s Return—Inquiries respecting a Lady whom he had seen—Her History related—Her Attac...

Richard prepares to depart—Visits the Rector—His Reception—Visit to the Sisters—Their present Situation—The Morning of the last Day—The Conference of the Brothers—Their Excursio...

Morning Excursion—Lady at Silford, who?—Reflections on Delay—Cecilia and Henry—The Lovers contracted—Visit to the Patron—Whom he finds there—Fanny described—The yielding of Vani...

George in his hypochondriac State—A Family Mansion now a Farmhouse—The Company there—Their Conversation—Subjects afforded by the Pictures—Doubts if Spirits can appear—Arguments—...

The Morning Walk—Village Scenery—The Widow’s Dwelling—Her Story related—The first Husband—His Indulgence—Its Consequence—Dies—The second—His Authority—Its Effects—His Death—A th...

The mother’s whisper cannot here have place; The words distinguish’d were but caps and lace, With something lying in a cedar chest, And a shrewd smile that further thoughts expr...