Mr。WebbthoughttheseversesquiteasfineasMr。Addison'sontheBlenheimCampaign，and，indeed，tobeHectoralamodedeParis，waspartofthisgallantgentleman'sambition。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttofindanofficerinthewholearmy，oramongstthesplendidcourtiersandcavaliersoftheMaisonduRoy，thatfoughtunderVendosmeandVilleroyinthearmyopposedtoours，whowasamoreaccomplishedsoldierandperfectgentleman，andeitherbraverorbetter—looking。AndifMr。Webbbelievedofhimselfwhattheworldsaidofhim，andwasdeeplyconvincedofhisownindisputablegenius，beauty，andvalor，whohasarighttoquarrelwithhimverymuch？Thisself—contentofhiskepthimingeneralgood—humor，ofwhichhisfriendsanddependantsgotthebenefit。
　　HecameofaveryancientWiltshirefamily，whichherespectedaboveallfamiliesintheworld:hecouldprovealinealdescentfromKingEdwardtheFirst，andhisfirstancestor，RoaldusdeRichmond，rodebyWilliamtheConqueror'ssideonHastingsfield。
　　"Weweregentlemen，Esmond，"heusedtosay，"whentheChurchillswerehorse—boys。"Hewasaverytallman，standinginhispumpssixfeetthreeinches（inhisgreatjack—boots，withhistallfairperiwig，andhatandfeather，hecouldnothavebeenlessthaneightfeethigh）。"IamtallerthanChurchill，"hewouldsay，surveyinghimselfintheglass，"andIamabettermademan;andifthewomenwon'tlikeamanthathasn'tawartonhisnose，faith，I
　　can'thelpmyself，andChurchillhasthebetterofmethere。"
　　Indeed，hewasalwaysmeasuringhimselfwiththeDuke，andalwaysaskinghisfriendstomeasurethem。Andtalkinginthisfrankway，ashewoulddo，overhiscups，wagswouldlaughandencouragehim;
　　friendswouldbesorryforhim;schemersandflattererswouldegghimon，andtale—bearerscarrythestoriestoheadquarters，andwidenthedifferencewhichalreadyexistedthere，betweenthegreatcaptainandoneoftheablestandbravestlieutenantsheeverhad。
　　HisrancoragainsttheDukewassoapparent，thatonesawitinthefirsthalf—hour'sconversationwithGeneralWebb;andhislady，whoadoredherGeneral，andthoughthimahundredtimestaller，handsomer，andbraverthanaprodigalnaturehadmadehim，hatedthegreatDukewithsuchanintensityasitbecomesfaithfulwivestofeelagainsttheirhusbands'enemies。NotthatmyLordDukewassoyet;Mr。Webbhadsaidathousandthingsagainsthim，whichhissuperiorhadpardoned;andhisGrace，whosespieswereeverywhere，hadheardathousandthingsmorethatWebbhadneversaid。Butitcostthisgreatmannopainstopardon;andhepassedoveraninjuryorabenefitalikeeasily。
　　Shouldanychildofminetakethepainstoreadthesehisancestor'smemoirs，IwouldnothavehimjudgeofthegreatDuke*
　　bywhatacontemporaryhaswrittenofhim。Nomanhathbeensoimmenselylaudedanddecriedasthisgreatstatesmanandwarrior;
　　as，indeed，nomaneverdeservedbettertheverygreatestpraiseandthestrongestcensure。Ifthepresentwriterjoinswiththelatterfaction，verylikelyaprivatepiqueofhisownmaybethecauseofhisill—feeling。
　　*ThispassageintheMemoirsofEsmondiswrittenonaleafinsertedintotheMS。book，anddated1744，probablyafterhehadheardoftheDuchess'sdeath。
　　OnpresentinghimselfattheCommander—in—Chief'slevee，hisGracehadnottheleastremembranceofGeneralLumley'saide—de—camp，andthoughheknewEsmond'sfamilyperfectlywell，havingservedwithbothlords（myLordFrancisandtheViscountEsmond'sfather）inFlanders，andintheDukeofYork'sGuard，theDukeofMarlborough，whowasfriendlyandserviceabletothe（so—styled）legitimaterepresentativesoftheViscountCastlewood，tooknosortofnoticeofthepoorlieutenantwhoboretheirname。Awordofkindnessoracknowledgment，orasingleglanceofapprobation，mighthavechangedEsmond'sopinionofthegreatman;andinsteadofasatire，whichhispencannothelpwriting，whoknowsbutthatthehumblehistorianmighthavetakentheothersideofpanegyric？Wehavebuttochangethepointofview，andthegreatestactionlooksmean;asweturntheperspective—glass，andagiantappearsapigmy。Youmaydescribe，butwhocantellwhetheryoursightisclearornot，oryourmeansofinformationaccurate？Hadthegreatmansaidbutawordofkindnesstothesmallone（ashewouldhavesteppedoutofhisgiltchariottoshakehandswithLazarusinragsandsores，ifhethoughtLazaruscouldhavebeenofanyservicetohim），nodoubtEsmondwouldhavefoughtforhimwithpenandswordtotheutmostofhismight;butmylordtheliondidnotwantmastermouseatthismoment，andsoMuscipuluswentoffandnibbledinopposition。
　　Soitwas，however，thatayounggentleman，who，intheeyesofhisfamily，andinhisown，doubtless，waslookeduponasaconsummatehero，foundthatthegreatheroofthedaytooknomorenoticeofhimthanofthesmallestdrummerinhisGrace'sarmy。TheDowageratChelseywasfuriousagainstthisneglectofherfamily，andhadagreatbattlewithLadyMarlborough（asLadyCastlewoodinsistedoncallingtheDuchess）。HerGracewasnowMistressoftheRobestoherMajesty，andoneofthegreatestpersonagesinthiskingdom，asherhusbandwasinallEurope，andthebattlebetweenthetwoladiestookplaceintheQueen'sdrawing—room。
　　TheDuchess，inreplytomyaunt'seagerclamor，saidhaughtily，thatshehaddoneherbestforthelegitimatebranchoftheEsmonds，andcouldnotbeexpectedtoprovideforthebastardbratsofthefamily。
　　"Bastards！"saystheViscountess，inafury。"TherearebastardsamongtheChurchills，asyourGraceknows，andtheDukeofBerwickisprovidedforwellenough。"
　　"Madam，"saystheDuchess，"youknowwhosefaultitisthattherearenosuchdukesintheEsmondfamilytoo，andhowthatlittleschemeofacertainladymiscarried。"
　　Esmond'sfriend，DickSteele，whowasinwaitingonthePrince，heardthecontroversybetweentheladiesatcourt。"Andfaith，"
　　saysDick，"Ithink，Harry，thykinswomanhadtheworstofit。"
　　Hecouldnotkeepthestoryquiet;'twasalloverthecoffee—houseserenight;itwasprintedinaNewsLetterbeforeamonthwasover，and"ThereplyofherGracetheDuchessofM—rlb—r—ghtoaPopishLadyoftheCourt，onceafavoriteofthelateK———J—m—s，"wasprintedinhalfadozenplaces，withanotestatingthat"thisduchess，whentheheadofthislady'sfamilycamebyhisdeathlatelyinafatalduel，neverresteduntilshegotapensionfortheorphanheir，andwidow，fromherMajesty'sbounty。"ThesquabbledidnotadvancepoorEsmond'spromotionmuch，andindeedmadehimsoashamedofhimselfthathedarednotshowhisfaceattheCommander—in—Chief'sleveesagain。
　　DuringthoseeighteenmonthswhichhadpassedsinceEsmondsawhisdearmistress，hergoodfather，theoldDean，quittedthislife，firminhisprinciplestotheverylast，andenjoininghisfamilyalwaystorememberthattheQueen'sbrother，KingJamestheThird，wastheirrightfulsovereign。Hemadeaveryedifyingend，ashisdaughtertoldEsmond，andnotalittletohersurprise，afterhisdeath（forhehadlivedalwaysverypoorly）myladyfoundthatherfatherhadleftnolessasumthan3，000L。behindhim，whichhebequeathedtoher。
　　WiththislittlefortuneLadyCastlewoodwasenabled，whenherdaughter'sturnatCourtcame，tocometoLondon，whereshetookasmallgenteelhouseatKensington，intheneighborhoodoftheCourt，bringingherchildrenwithher，andhereitwasthatEsmondfoundhisfriends。
　　Asfortheyounglord，hisuniversitycareerhadendedratherabruptly。HonestTusher，hisgovernor，hadfoundmyyounggentlemanquiteungovernable。Mylordworriedhislifeawaywithtricks;andbrokeout，ashome—bredladswill，intoahundredyouthfulextravagances，sothatDr。Bentley，thenewmasterofTrinity，thoughtfittowritetotheViscountessCastlewood，mylord'smother，andbeghertoremovetheyoungnoblemanfromacollegewherehedeclinedtolearn，andwhereheonlydidharmbyhisriotousexample。Indeed，IbelievehenearlysetfiretoNevil'sCourt，thatbeautifulnewquadrangleofourcollege，whichSirChristopherWrenhadlatelybuilt。Heknockeddownaproctor'smanthatwantedtoarresthiminamidnightprank;hegaveadinner—partyonthePrinceofWales'sbirthday，whichwaswithinafortnightofhisown，andthetwentyyounggentlementhenpresentsalliedoutaftertheirwine，havingtoastedKingJames'shealthwithopenwindows，andsungcavaliersongs，andshouted"GodsavetheKing！"inthegreatcourt，sothatthemastercameoutofhislodgeatmidnight，anddissipatedtheriotousassembly。
　　Thiswasmylord'scrowningfreak，andtheRev。ThomasTusher，domesticchaplaintotheRightHonorabletheLordViscountCastlewood，findinghisprayersandsermonsofnoearthlyavailtohislordship，gaveuphisdutiesofgovernor;wentandmarriedhisbrewer'swidowatSouthampton，andtookherandhermoneytohisparsonagehouseatCastlewood。
　　MyladycouldnotbeangrywithhersonfordrinkingKingJames'shealth，beingherselfaloyalTory，asalltheCastlewoodfamilywere，andacquiescedwithasigh，knowing，perhaps，thatherrefusalwouldbeofnoavailtotheyounglord'sdesireforamilitarylife。ShewouldhavelikedhimtobeinMr。Esmond'sregiment，hopingthatHarrymightactasaguardianandadvisertohiswaywardyoungkinsman;butmyyounglordwouldhearofnothingbuttheGuards，andacommissionwasgotforhimintheDukeofOrmond'sregiment;soEsmondfoundmylord，ensignandlieutenant，whenhereturnedfromGermanyaftertheBlenheimcampaign。
　　TheeffectproducedbybothLadyCastlewood'schildrenwhentheyappearedinpublicwasextraordinary，andthewholetownspeedilyrangwiththeirfame:suchabeautifulcouple，itwasdeclared，neverhadbeenseen;theyoungmaidofhonorwastoastedateverytableandtavern，andasformyyounglord，hisgoodlookswereevenmoreadmiredthanhissister's。Ahundredsongswerewrittenaboutthepair，andasthefashionofthatdaywas，myyounglordwaspraisedintheseAnacreonticsaswarmlyasBathyllus。Youmaybesurethatheacceptedverycomplacentlythetown'sopinionofhim，andacquiescedwiththatfranknessandcharminggood—humorhealwaysshowedintheideathathewastheprettiestfellowinallLondon。
　　TheoldDowageratChelsey，thoughshecouldneverbegottoacknowledgethatMistressBeatrixwasanybeautyatall，（inwhichopinion，asitmaybeimagined，avastnumberoftheladiesagreedwithher），yet，ontheveryfirstsightofyoungCastlewood，sheownedshefellinlovewithhim:andHenryEsmond，onhisreturntoChelsey，foundhimselfquitesupersededinherfavorbyheryoungerkinsman。ThefeatofdrinkingtheKing'shealthatCambridgewouldhavewonherheart，shesaid，ifnothingelsedid。"Howhadthedearyoungfellowgotsuchbeauty？"sheasked。"Notfromhisfather——certainlynotfromhismother。Howhadhecomebysuchnoblemanners，andtheperfectbelair？ThatcountrifiedWalcotewidowcouldneverhavetaughthim。"EsmondhadhisownopinionaboutthecountrifiedWalcotewidow，whohadaquietgraceandserenekindness，thathadalwaysseemedtohimtheperfectionofgoodbreeding，thoughhedidnottrytoarguethispointwithhisaunt。ButhecouldagreeinmostofthepraiseswhichtheenrapturedolddowagerbestowedonmyLordViscount，thanwhomheneverbeheldamorefascinatingandcharminggentleman。Castlewoodhadnotwitsomuchasenjoyment。"Theladlooksgoodthings，"Mr。
　　Steeleusedtosay;"andhislaughlightsupaconversationasmuchastenreparteesfromMr。Congreve。IwouldassoonsitoverabottlewithhimaswithMr。Addison;andratherlistentohistalkthanhearNicolini。WasevermansogracefullydrunkasmyLordCastlewood？Iwouldgiveanythingtocarrymywine（though，indeed，Dickborehisverykindly，andplentyofit，too），"likethisincomparableyoungman。Whenheissoberheisdelightful;
　　andwhentipsy，perfectlyirresistible。"Andreferringtohisfavorite，Shakspeare（whowasquiteoutoffashionuntilSteelebroughthimbackintothemode），DickcomparedLordCastlewoodtoPrinceHal，andwaspleasedtodubEsmondasancientPistol。
　　TheMistressoftheRobes，thegreatestladyinEnglandaftertheQueen，orevenbeforeherMajesty，astheworldsaid，thoughshenevercouldbegottosayacivilwordtoBeatrix，whomshehadpromotedtoherplaceasmaidofhonor，tookherbrotherintoinstantfavor。WhenyoungCastlewood，inhisnewuniform，andlookinglikeaprinceoutofafairytale，wenttopayhisdutytoherGrace，shelookedathimforaminuteinsilence，theyoungmanblushingandinconfusionbeforeher，thenfairlyburstouta—
　　crying，andkissedhimbeforeherdaughtersandcompany。"Hewasmyboy'sfriend，"shesaid，throughhersobs。"MyBlandfordmighthavebeenlikehim。"Andeverybodysaw，afterthismarkoftheDuchess'sfavor，thatmyyounglord'spromotionwassecure，andpeoplecrowdedroundthefavorite'sfavorite，whobecamevainerandgayer，andmoregood—humoredthanever。
　　MeanwhileMadamBeatrixwasmakingherconquestsonherownside，andamongstthemwasonepoorgentleman，whohadbeenshotbyheryoungeyestwoyearsbefore，andhadneverbeenquitecuredofthatwound;heknew，tobesure，howhopelessanypassionmightbe，directedinthatquarter，andhadtakenthatbest，thoughignoble，remediumamoris，aspeedyretreatfrombeforethecharmer，andalongabsencefromher;andnotbeingdangerouslysmitteninthefirstinstance，Esmondprettysoongotthebetterofhiscomplaint，andifhehaditstill，didnotknowhehadit，andboreiteasily。
　　ButwhenhereturnedafterBlenheim，theyoungladyofsixteen，whohadappearedthemostbeautifulobjecthiseyeshadeverlookedontwoyearsback，wasnowadvancedtoaperfectripenessandperfectionofbeauty，suchasinstantlyenthralledthepoordevil，whohadalreadybeenafugitivefromhercharms。Thenhehadseenherbutfortwodays，andfled;nowhebeheldherdayafterday，andwhenshewasatCourtwatchedafterher;whenshewasathome，madeoneofthefamilyparty;whenshewentabroad，rodeafterhermother'schariot;whensheappearedinpublicplaces，wasintheboxnearher，orinthepitlookingather;whenshewenttochurchwassuretobethere，thoughhemightnotlistentothesermon，andbereadytohandhertoherchairifshedeignedtoacceptofhisservices，andselecthimfromascoreofyoungmenwhowerealwayshangingroundabouther。Whenshewentaway，accompanyingherMajestytoHamptonCourt，adarknessfelloverLondon。Gods，whatnightshasEsmondpassed，thinkingofher，rhymingabouther，talkingabouther！HisfriendDickSteelewasatthistimecourtingtheyounglady，Mrs。Scurlock，whomhemarried;shehadalodginginKensingtonSquare，hardbymyLadyCastlewood'shousethere。DickandHarry，beingonthesameerrand，usedtomeetconstantlyatKensington。Theywerealwaysprowlingaboutthatplace，ordismallywalkingthence，oreagerlyrunningthither。
　　Theyemptiedscoresofbottlesatthe"King'sArms，"eachmanpratingofhislove，andallowingtheothertotalkonconditionthathemighthavehisownturnasalistener。Hencearoseanintimacybetweenthem，thoughtoalltherestoftheirfriendstheymusthavebeeninsufferable。Esmond'sversesto"GlorianaattheHarpsichord，"to"Gloriana'sNosegay，"to"GlorianaatCourt，"
　　appearedthisyearintheObservator。——Haveyouneverreadthem？
　　Theywerethoughtprettypoems，andattributedbysometoMr。
　　Prior。
　　Thispassiondidnotescape——howshouldit？——thecleareyesofEsmond'smistress:hetoldherall;whatwillamannotdowhenfranticwithlove？Towhatbasenesswillhenotdemeanhimself？
　　Whatpangswillhenotmakeotherssuffer，sothathemayeasehisselfishheartofapartofitsownpain？Dayafterdayhewouldseekhisdearmistress，pourinsanehopes，supplications，rhapsodies，raptures，intoherear。Shelistened，smiled，consoled，withuntiringpityandsweetness。Esmondwastheeldestofherchildren，soshewaspleasedtosay;andasforherkindness，whoeverhadorwouldlookforaughtelsefromonewhowasanangelofgoodnessandpity？Afterwhathasbeensaid，'tisneedlessalmosttoaddthatpoorEsmond'ssuitwasunsuccessful。
　　Whatwasanameless，pennilesslieutenanttodo，whensomeofthegreatestinthelandwereinthefield？Esmondneversomuchasthoughtofaskingpermissiontohopesofarabovehisreachasheknewthisprizewasandpassedhisfoolish，uselesslifeinmereabjectsighsandimpotentlonging。Whatnightsofrage，whatdaysoftorment，ofpassionateunfulfilleddesire，ofsickeningjealousycanherecall！Beatrixthoughtnomoreofhimthanofthelackeythatfollowedherchair。Hiscomplaintsdidnottouchherintheleast;hisrapturesratherfatiguedher;shecaredforhisversesnomorethanforDanChaucer's，who'sdeadtheseeversomanyhundredyears;shedidnothatehim;sheratherdespisedhim，andjustsufferedhim。
　　Oneday，aftertalkingtoBeatrix'smother，hisdear，fond，constantmistress——forhours——foralldaylong——pouringouthisflameandhispassion，hisdespairandrage，returningagainandagaintothetheme，pacingtheroom，tearinguptheflowersonthetable，twistingandbreakingintobitsthewaxoutofthestand—
　　dish，andperformingahundredmadfreaksofpassionatefolly;
　　seeinghismistressatlastquitepaleandtiredoutwithsheerwearinessofcompassion，andwatchingoverhisfeverforthehundredthtime，Esmondseizeduphishat，andtookhisleave。AshegotintoKensingtonSquare，asenseofremorsecameoverhimforthewearisomepainhehadbeeninflictinguponthedearestandkindestfriendevermanhad。Hewentbacktothehouse，wheretheservantstillstoodattheopendoor，ranupthestairs，andfoundhismistresswherehehadleftherintheembrasureofthewindow，lookingoverthefieldstowardsChelsey。Shelaughed，wipingawayatthesametimethetearswhichwereinherkindeyes;heflunghimselfdownonhisknees，andburiedhisheadinherlap。Shehadinherhandthestalkofoneoftheflowers，apink，thathehadtorntopieces。"Oh，pardonme，pardonme，mydearestandkindest，"hesaid;"Iaminhell，andyouaretheangelthatbringsmeadropofwater。"
　　"Iamyourmother，youaremyson，andIloveyoualways，"shesaid，holdingherhandsoverhim:andhewentawaycomfortedandhumbledinmind，ashethoughtofthatamazingandconstantloveandtendernesswithwhichthissweetladyeverblessedandpursuedhim。
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　THEFAMOUSMR。JOSEPHADDISON。
　　ThegentlemenushershadatableatKensington，andtheGuardaverysplendiddinnerdailyatSt。James's，ateitherofwhichordinariesEsmondwasfreetodine。DickSteelelikedtheGuard—
　　tablebetterthanhisownatthegentlemenushers'，wheretherewaslesswineandmoreceremony;andEsmondhadmanyajollyafternoonincompanyofhisfriend，andahundredtimesatleastsawDickintohischair。Ifthereisverityinwine，accordingtotheoldadage，whatanamiable—naturedcharacterDick'smusthavebeen！Inproportionashetookinwineheoverflowedwithkindness。Histalkwasnotwittysomuchascharming。Heneversaidawordthatcouldangeranybody，andonlybecamethemorebenevolentthemoretipsyhegrew。Manyofthewagsderidedthepoorfellowinhiscups，andchosehimasabuttfortheirsatire:buttherewasakindnessabouthim，andasweetplayfulfancy，thatseemedtoEsmondfarmorecharmingthanthepointedtalkofthebrightestwits，withtheirelaboratereparteesandaffectedseverities。I
　　thinkSteeleshoneratherthansparkled。Thosefamousbeaux—
　　espritsofthecoffee—houses（Mr。WilliamCongreve，forinstance，whenhisgoutandhisgrandeurpermittedhimtocomeamongus）
　　wouldmakemanybrillianthits——halfadozeninanightsometimes——
　　but，likesharp—shooters，whentheyhadfiredtheirshot，theywereobligedtoretireundercovertilltheirpieceswereloadedagain，andwaittilltheygotanotherchanceattheirenemy;whereasDickneverthoughtthathisbottlecompanionwasabutttoaimat——onlyafriendtoshakebythehand。Thepoorfellowhadhalfthetowninhisconfidence;everybodykneweverythingabouthislovesandhisdebts，hiscreditorsorhismistress'sobduracy。WhenEsmondfirstcameontothetown，honestDickwasallflamesandrapturesforayounglady，aWestIndiafortune，whomhemarried。Inacoupleofyearstheladywasdead，thefortunewasallbutspent，andthehonestwidowerwasaseagerinpursuitofanewparagonofbeauty，asifhehadnevercourtedandmarriedandburiedthelastone。
　　QuittingtheGuard—tableoneSundayafternoon，whenbychanceDickhadasoberfituponhim，beandhisfriendweremakingtheirwaydownGermainStreet，andDickallofasuddenlefthiscompanion'sarm，andranafteragentlemanwhowasporingoverafoliovolumeatthebook—shopneartoSt。James'sChurch。Hewasafair，tallman，inasnuff—coloredsuit，withaplainsword，verysober，andalmostshabbyinappearance——atleastwhencomparedtoCaptainSteele，wholovedtoadornhisjollyroundpersonwiththefinestofclothes，andshoneinscarletandgoldlace。TheCaptainrushedup，then，tothestudentofthebook—stall，tookhiminhisarms，huggedhim，andwouldhavekissedhim——forDickwasalwayshuggingandbussinghisfriends——buttheothersteppedbackwithaflushonhispaleface，seemingtodeclinethispublicmanifestationofSteele'sregard。
　　"MydearestJoe，wherehastthouhiddenthyselfthisage？"criestheCaptain，stillholdingbothhisfriend'shands;"Ihavebeenlanguishingfortheethisfortnight。"
　　"Afortnightisnotanage，Dick，"saystheother，verygood—
　　humoredly。（Hehadlightblueeyes，extraordinarybright，andafaceperfectlyregularandhandsome，likeatintedstatue。）"AndI
　　havebeenhidingmyself——wheredoyouthink？"
　　"What！notacrossthewater，mydearJoe？"saysSteele，withalookofgreatalarm:"thouknowestIhavealways——"
　　"No，"sayshisfriend，interruptinghimwithasmile:"wearenotcometosuchstraitsasthat，Dick。Ihavebeenhiding，sir，ataplacewherepeopleneverthinkoffindingyou——atmyownlodgings，whitherIamgoingtosmokeapipenowanddrinkaglassofsack:
　　willyourhonorcome？"
　　"HarryEsmond，comehither，"criesoutDick。"ThouhastheardmetalkoverandoveragainofmydearestJoe，myguardianangel？"
　　"Indeed，"saysMr。Esmond，withabow，"itisnotfromyouonlythatIhavelearnttoadmireMr。Addison。WelovedgoodpoetryatCambridgeaswellasatOxford;andIhavesomeofyoursbyheart，thoughIhaveputonaredcoat……'OquicanoroblandiusOrpheovocaleduciscarmen;'shallIgoon，sir？"saysMr。Esmond，who，indeed，hadreadandlovedthecharmingLatinpoemsofMr。
　　Addison，aseveryscholarofthattimeknewandadmiredthem。
　　"ThisisCaptainEsmondwhowasatBlenheim，"saysSteele。
　　"LieutenantEsmond，"saystheother，withalowbow，"atMr。
　　Addison'sservice。
　　"Ihaveheardofyou，"saysMr。Addison，withasmile;as，indeed，everybodyabouttownhadheardthatunluckystoryaboutEsmond'sdowagerauntandtheDuchess。
　　"Weweregoingtothe'George'totakeabottlebeforetheplay，"
　　saysSteele:"wiltthoubeone，Joe？"
　　Mr。Addisonsaidhisownlodgingswerehardby，wherehewasstillrichenoughtogiveagoodbottleofwinetohisfriends;andinvitedthetwogentlementohisapartmentintheHaymarket，whitherweaccordinglywent。
　　"Ishallgetcreditwithmylandlady，"sayshe，withasmile，"whensheseestwosuchfinegentlemenasyoucomeupmystair。"Andhepolitelymadehisvisitorswelcometohisapartment，whichwasindeedbutashabbyone，thoughnograndeeofthelandcouldreceivehisguestswithamoreperfectandcourtlygracethanthisgentleman。Afrugaldinner，consistingofasliceofmeatandapennyloaf，wasawaitingtheownerofthelodgings。"Mywineisbetterthanmymeat，"saysMr。Addison;"myLordHalifaxsentmetheBurgundy。"Andhesetabottleandglassesbeforehisfriends，andatehissimpledinnerinaveryfewminutes，afterwhichthethreefellto，andbegantodrink。"Yousee，"saysMr。Addison，pointingtohiswriting—table，whereonwasamapoftheactionatHochstedt，andseveralothergazettesandpamphletsrelatingtothebattle，"thatI，too，ambusyaboutyouraffairs，Captain。Iamengagedasapoeticalgazetteer，tosaytruth，andamwritingapoemonthecampaign。"
　　SoEsmond，attherequestofhishost，toldhimwhatheknewaboutthefamousbattle，drewtheriveronthetablealiquomero，andwiththeaidofsomebitsoftobacco—pipeshowedtheadvanceoftheleftwing，wherehehadbeenengaged。
　　Asheetortwooftheverseslayalreadyonthetablebesideourbottlesandglasses，andDickhavingplentifullyrefreshedhimselffromthelatter，tookupthepagesofmanuscript，writoutwithscarceablotorcorrection，intheauthor'sslim，neathandwriting，andbegantoreadtherefromwithgreatemphasisandvolubility。Atpausesoftheverse，theenthusiasticreaderstoppedandfiredoffagreatsalvoofapplause。
　　EsmondsmiledattheenthusiasmofAddison'sfriend。"YouareliketheGermanBurghers，"sayshe，"andthePrincesontheMozelle:
　　whenourarmycametoahalt，theyalwayssentadeputationtocomplimentthechief，andfiredasalutewithalltheirartilleryfromtheirwalls。"
　　"Anddrunkthegreatchiefshealthafterward，didnotthey？"saysCaptainSteele，gaylyfillingupabumper;——heneverwastardyatthatsortofacknowledgmentofafriend'smerit。
　　"AndtheDuke，sinceyouwillhavemeacthisGrace'spart，"saysMr。Addison，withasmile，andsomethingofablush，"pledgedhisfriendsinreturn。MostSereneElectorofCoventGarden，IdrinktoyourHighness'shealth，"andhefilledhimselfaglass。JosephrequiredscarcemorepressingthanDicktothatsortofamusement;
　　butthewineneverseemedatalltoflusterMr。Addison'sbrains;
　　itonlyunloosedhistongue:whereasCaptainSteele'sheadandspeechwerequiteovercomebyasinglebottle。
　　Nomatterwhattheverseswere，and，tosaytruth，Mr。Esmondfoundsomeofthemmorethanindifferent，Dick'senthusiasmforhischiefneverfaltered，andineverylinefromAddison'spen，Steelefoundamaster—stroke。BythetimeDickhadcometothatpartofthepoem，whereinthebarddescribesasblandlyasthoughhewererecordingadanceattheopera，oraharmlessboutofbucoliccudgellingatavillagefair，thatbloodyandruthlesspartofourcampaign，withtheremembrancewhereofeverysoldierwhoboreapartinitmustsickenwithshame——whenwewereorderedtoravageandlaywastetheElector'scountry;andwithfireandmurder，slaughterandcrime，agreatpartofhisdominionswasoverrun;
　　whenDickcametothelines——
　　"InvengeancerousedthesoldierfillshishandWithswordandfire，andravagestheland，Incracklingflamesathousandharvestsburn，Athousandvillagestoashesturn。
　　Tothethickwoodsthewoollyflocksretreat，Andmixedwithbellowingherdsconfusedlybleat。
　　Theirtremblinglordsthecommonshadepartake，Andcriesofinfantsfoundineverybrake。
　　Thelisteningsoldierfixedinsorrowstands，Lothtoobeyhisleader'sjustcommands。
　　Theleadergrieves，bygenerouspityswayed，Toseehisjustcommandssowellobeyed;"
　　bythistimewineandfriendshiphadbroughtpoorDicktoaperfectlymaudlinstate，andhehiccuppedoutthelastlinewithatendernessthatsetoneofhisauditorsa—laughing。
　　"Iadmirethelicenseofyourpoets，"saysEsmondtoMr。Addison。
　　（Dick，afterreadingoftheverses，wasfaintogooff，insistingonkissinghistwodearfriendsbeforehisdeparture，andreelingawaywithhisperiwigoverhiseyes。）"Iadmireyourart:themurderofthecampaignisdonetomilitarymusic，likeabattleattheopera，andthevirginsshriekinharmony，asourvictoriousgrenadiersmarchintotheirvillages。Doyouknowwhatasceneitwas？"——（bythistime，perhaps，thewinehadwarmedMr。Esmond'sheadtoo，）——"whatatriumphyouarecelebrating？whatscenesofshameandhorrorwereenacted，overwhichthecommander'sgeniuspresided，ascalmasthoughhedidn'tbelongtooursphere？Youtalkofthe'listeningsoldierfixedinsorrow，'the'leader'sgriefswayedbygenerouspity;'tomybelieftheleadercarednomoreforbleatingflocksthanhedidforinfants'cries，andmanyofourruffiansbutcheredoneortheotherwithequalalacrity。I
　　wasashamedofmytradewhenIsawthosehorrorsperpetrated，whichcameundereveryman'seyes。Youhewoutofyourpolishedversesastatelyimageofsmilingvictory;Itellyou'tisanuncouth，distorted，savageidol;hideous，bloody，andbarbarous。Theritesperformedbeforeitareshockingtothinkof。Yougreatpoetsshouldshowitasitis——uglyandhorrible，notbeautifulandserene。Oh，sir，hadyoumadethecampaign，believeme，youneverwouldhavesungitso。"
　　Duringthislittleoutbreak，Mr。Addisonwaslistening，smokingoutofhislongpipe，andsmilingveryplacidly。"Whatwouldyouhave？"sayshe。"Inourpolisheddays，andaccordingtotherulesofart，'tisimpossiblethattheMuseshoulddepicttorturesorbegrimeherhandswiththehorrorsofwar。Theseareindicatedratherthandescribed;asintheGreektragedies，that，Idaresay，youhaveread（andsuretherecanbenomoreelegantspecimensofcomposition），Agamemnonisslain，orMedea'schildrendestroyed，awayfromthescene;——thechorusoccupyingthestageandsingingoftheactiontopatheticmusic。SomethingofthisIattempt，mydearsir，inmyhumbleway:'tisapanegyricImeantowrite，andnotasatire。WereItosingasyouwouldhaveme，thetownwouldtearthepoetinpieces，andburnhisbookbythehandsofthecommonhangman。Doyounotusetobacco？Ofalltheweedsgrownonearth，surethenicotianisthemostsoothingandsalutary。WemustpaintourgreatDuke，"Mr。Addisonwenton，"notasaman，whichnodoubtheis，withweaknessesliketherestofus，butasahero。'Tisinatriumph，notabattle，thatyourhumbleservantisridinghissleekPegasus。Wecollegepoetstrot，youknow，onveryeasynags;
　　ithathbeen，timeoutofmind，partofthepoet'sprofessiontocelebratetheactionsofheroesinverse，andtosingthedeedswhichyoumenofwarperform。Imustfollowtherulesofmyart，andthecompositionofsuchastrainasthismustbeharmoniousandmajestic，notfamiliar，ortoonearthevulgartruth。Siparvalicet:ifVirgilcouldinvokethedivineAugustus，ahumblerpoetfromthebanksoftheIsismaycelebrateavictoryandaconquerorofourownnation，inwhosetriumphseveryBritonhasashare，andwhosegloryandgeniuscontributestoeverycitizen'sindividualhonor。Whenhaththerebeen，sinceourHenrys'andEdwards'days，suchagreatfeatofarmsasthatfromwhichyouyourselfhavebroughtawaymarksofdistinction？If'tisinmypowertosingthatsongworthily，Iwilldoso，andbethankfultomyMuse。IfI
　　failasapoet，asaBritonatleastIwillshowmyloyalty，andflingupmycapandhuzzahfortheconqueror:——
　　"'RhenipacatoretIstriOmnisinhocunovariisdiscordiacessitOrdinibus;laetatureques，plauditquesenator，Votaquepatriciocertantplebeiafavori。'"