When Arnold reach’d his own paternal hall

When Arnold reach’d his own paternal hall, (As punctual to his word as the great ball Which in the morn fulfils the promis’d boon, Or as, at night, comes forth the gracious moon, By God’s consent,) he took his pen and wrote With dexterous hand the first momentous note; For otherwise the moment would be lost To catch, at the lodge-gate, the evening post: ’Tis done: and now along the turnpike main The mail bears on the destiny of Jane.