THE BROTHERS. BY GEORGE CRABBE. [GEORGE CRABBE, English poet, was born at Aldeburgh, on the Suffolk seaboard, December 25, 1754. Having failed to establish himself as a physician in his native town, he went up to London to make a trial of literature. After a hard struggle with poverty he obtained the assistance of Burke, and was introduced to Fox, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Lord Thurlow, and the publisher Dodsley, who brought out "The Library" (1781). At Burke's suggestion, Crabbe entered the Church, became domestic chaplain to the Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle, and from 1813 until his death, February 3, 1832, was rector of Trowbridge in Wiltshire. His principal works are: "The Village," "The Parish Register," "The Borough," and "Tales of the Hall."] THAN old George Fletcher, on the British coast Kind, simple, and sincere - he seldom spoke, But sometimes sang and chorused - "Hearts of oak!" In dangers steady, with his lot content, His days in labor and in love were spent. He left a son so like him, that the old With joy exclaimed, ""Tis Fletcher we behold;" And viewed his form, they grudged the father's name. With just the failings that his father had; Isaac was weak, attentive, slow, exact, With just the virtues that his father lacked. George lived at sea: upon the land a guest He sought for recreation, not for rest; While, far unlike, his brother's feeble form Shrank from the cold, and shuddered at the storm; Still with the seaman's to connect his trade, The boy was bound where blocks and ropes were made. And was to Isaac pitiful and kind; A very father, till his art was gained, And then a friend unwearied he remained; Else had he seen that this weak brother knew What men to court- what objects to pursue; Isaac was poor, and this the brother felt; For there would George with cash and comforts come: Where other friends and helpers might be found. He wished for some port place, and one might fall, He wisely thought, if he should try for all; He had a vote- and were it well applied, Might have its worth and he had views beside; Old Burgess Steel was able to promote An humble man who served him with a vote; His ancient friend, a maiden spare and grave; George then was coasting-war was yet delayed, Than a brave captain and the foe to shun, As if I feared the music of a gun." "Go not!" said Isaac "you shall wear disguise." "What! " said the seaman, "clothe myself with lies!" "Oh! but there's danger."-"Danger in the fleet? You cannot mean, good brother, of defeat; And other dangers I at land must shareSo now adieu! and trust a brother's care." Isaac awhile demurred - but, in his heart, So might he share, he was disposed to part: The better mind will sometimes feel the pain Of benefactions - favor is a chain; But they the feeling scorn, and what they wish, disdain; The helping hand they ought to venerate: Isaac here made a poor attempt to speak, And one so sober could with truth commend, No more he needs assistance-but, alas! Still he must write he wrote, and he confessed But one so friendly would, he thought, forgive "But you," he added, 66 as a man of sense, Have well considered danger and expense: I ran, alas! into the fatal snare, And now for trouble must my mind prepare; |