gus_ eyes could see no odds betwixt,
And sure the difference, (if there difference be)
Is who shall do most good, or he, or she.
Poor folks report, that for relieving them,
He and his wife, are each of them a gem;
At the inn, and at his house two nights I staid,
And what was to be paid, I know he paid:
If nothing of their kindness I had wrote,
Ungrateful me the world might justly note:
Had I declared all I did hear, and see,
For a great flatterer then I deemed should be,
Him and his wife, and modest daughter _Bess_,
With earth, and heaven's felicity, God bless.
Two days a man of his, at his command,
Did guide me to the midst of _Westmoreland_,
And my conductor with a liberal fist,
To keep me moist, scarce any alehouse missed.
The fourth of August (weary, halt, and lame)
We in the dark, to a town called _Sedbergh_ came,
There Master _Borrowed_, my kind honest host,
Upon me did bestowed unasked cost.
The next day I held on my journey still,
Six miles unto a place called _Carling_ hill,
Where Master _Edmund Branthwaite_[10] doth reside,
Who made me welcome, with my man and guide.
Our entertainment, and our fare were such,
It might have satisfied our betters much;
Yet all too little was, his kind heart thought,
And five miles on my way himself me brought,
At _Orton_ he, I, and my man did dine,
With Master _Corney_ a good true Divine,
And surely Master _Branthwaite_'s well beloved,
His firm integrity is much approved:
His good effects, do make him still affected
Of God and good men, (with regard) respected.
He sent his man with me, o'er dale and down,
Who lodged, and boarded me at _Penrith_ town,
And such good cheer, and bedding there I had,
That nothing, (but my weary self) was bad;
There a fresh man, (I know not for whose sake)
With me a journey would to _Carlisle_ make:
But from that city, about two miles wide,
Good Sir _John Dalston_ lodged me and my guide.
Of all the gentlemen in _England's_ bounds
His house is nearest to the Scottish grounds,
And fame proclaims him, far and near, aloud,
He's free from being covetous, or proud;
His son, Sir _George_, most affable, and kind,
His father's image, both in form and mind,
On Saturday to _Carlisle_ both did ride,
Where (by their loves and leaves) I did abide,
Where of good entertainment I found store,
From on