Sad for a time, then eloquently wild, He gaily spoke as his companions smiled; Lightly he rose, and with his former grace Proposed some doubt, and argued on the case; Fate and fore-knowledge were his favourite themes-- How vain man’s purpose, how absurd his schemes: “Whatever is, was ere our birth decreed; } We think our actions from ourselves proceed, } And idly we lament th’ inevitable deed; } It seems our own, but there’s a power above 360 Directs the motion, nay, that makes us move; Nor good nor evil can you beings name, Who are but rooks and castles in the game; Superior natures with their puppets play, Till, bagg’d or buried, all are swept away.” Such were the notions of a mind to ill Now prone, but ardent and determined still. Of joy now eager, as before of fame, And screen’d by folly when assail’d by shame, Deeply he sank; obey’d each passion’s call, 370 And used his reason to defend them all. Shall I proceed, and step by step relate The odious progress of a sinner’s fate? No--let me rather hasten to the time (Sure to arrive) when misery waits on crime. With virtue, prudence fled; what Shore possess’d Was sold, was spent, and he was now distress’d; And Want, unwelcome stranger, pale and wan, Met with her haggard looks the hurried man; His pride felt keenly what he must expect 380 From useless pity and from cold neglect. Struck by new terrors, from his friends he fled, And wept his woes upon a restless bed; Retiring late, at early hour to rise, With shrunken features, and with bloodshot eyes. If sleep one moment closed the dismal view, Fancy her terrors built upon the true; And night and day had their alternate woes, That baffled pleasure, and that mock’d repose; Till to despair and anguish was consign’d 390 The wreck and ruin of a noble mind. Now seized for debt, and lodged within a jail, He tried his friendships, and he found them fail; Then fail’d his spirits, and his thoughts were all Fix’d on his sins, his sufferings, and his fall. His ruffled mind was pictured in his face, Once the fair seat of dignity and grace; Great was the danger of a man so prone To think of madness, and to think alone; Yet pride still lived, and struggled to sustain 400 The drooping spirit and the roving brain; But this too fail’d: a friend his freedom gave, And sent him help the threat’ning world to brave; Gave solid counsel what to seek or flee, But still would stranger to his person be: In vain! the truth determined to explore, He traced the friend whom he had wrong’d before. This was too much; both aided and advised By one who shunn’d him, pitied, and despised, He bore it not; ’twas a deciding stroke, 410