IMPROMPTU
Written
with
one
stocking
on
,
the
other
off
.
Mr.
B.'s
very
uncom
monly
tender
attachment
to
his
Mother
,
from
his
early
infancy
to
the
last
breath
he
drew
,
occasioned
his
constantly
asking
his
servant
on
entering
his
chamber
,
“
How
she
did
?
”
The
man
replied
,
“
Pretty
well
,
Sir
.
She
is
gone
out
.
Mr.
Duncombe
is
dead
—
died
at
five
this
morning
.
”
Mr.
B.
had
been
at
a
private
ball
the
night
before
,
where
Mr.
D.
was
with
his
daughter
.
In
the
situation
above
described
the
lines
were
written
,
as
Mr.
B.
told
his
Mother
when
he
gave
them
to
her
at
breakfast
,
saying
,
“
As
it
is
a
strictly
just
character
,
it
may
for
a
minute
soothe
the
mind
of
your
dear
friend
Mrs.
D.
”
,
ON
HEARING
,
AS
HE
WAS
RISING
IN
THE
MORNING
,
OF
THE
DEATH
OF
THE
REV.
JOHN
DUNCOMBE
,
M.A.
INSCRIBED
TO
MRS.
DUNCOMBE
,
OF
CANTERBURY
.
PEACE
to
the
spot
where
his
remains
are
laid
;
May
purest
bliss
await
his
friendly
shade
!
Nature
by
him
had
done
her
noblest
part
:
She
gave
a
head
,
nor
yet
denied
a
heart
.