That somebody
else had more need to be concerned than the versifier.

I knew, said my master, I should get no credit by shewing this. But let
us read on, Mr. Williams. So Mr. Williams read:

III.

Then they, to whom we pris'ners were,
Said to us, tauntingly,
Now let us hear your Hebrew songs,
And pleasant melody.

Now this, said my master, is very near; and read:

III.

Then she, to whom I prisoner was,
Said to me tauntingly,
Now cheer your heart, and sing a song,
And tune your mind to joy.

Mighty sweet, said Mr. Williams. But let us see how the next verse is
turned. It is this:

IV.

Alas! said we; who can once frame
His heavy heart to sing
The praises of our living God,
Thus under a strange king?

Why, said my master, it is turned with beautiful simplicity, thus:

IV.

Alas! said I, how can I frame
My heavy heart to sing,
Or tune my mind, while thus enthrall'd
By such a wicked thing?

Very pretty, said Mr. Williams. Lady Jones said, O, dear madam! could
you wish that we should be deprived of this new instance of your genius
and accomplishments?

O! said my dear father, you will make my good child proud. No, said my
master very generously, Pamela can't be proud. For no one is proud to
hear themselves praised, but those who are not used to it.--But proceed,
Mr. Williams. He read:

V.

But yet, if I Jerusalem
Out of my heart let slide;
Then let my fingers quite forget
The warbling harp to guide.

Well, now, said my master, for Pamela's version:

V.

But yet, if from my innocence
I ev'n in thought should slide,
Then let my fingers quite forget
The sweet spinnet to guide.

Mr. Williams read:

VI.

And let my tongue, within my mouth,
Be ty'd for ever fast,
If I rejoice, before I see
Thy full deliv'rance past.

This, also, said my master, is very near:

VI.

And let my tongue, within my mouth,
Be lock'd for ever fast,
If I rejoice, before I see
My full deliv'rance past.

Now, good sir, said I, oblige me; don't read any further: pray don't! O
pray, madam, said Mr. Williams, let me beg to have the rest read; for
I long to know whom you make the Sons of Edom, and how you turn the
Psalmist's exe