This love effected, and a favourite maid With clearer views his honest flame repaid; Hers was the thought correct, the hope sublime, She shaped his creed, and did the work of time. He spake of freedom as a nation’s cause, 240 And loved, like George, our liberty and laws; But had more youthful ardour to be free, And stronger fears for injured liberty. With him, on various questions that arose, The monarch’s servants were the people’s foes; And, though he fought with all a Briton’s zeal, He felt for France as Freedom’s children feel; Went far with her in what she thought reform, And hail’d the revolutionary storm; Yet would not here, where there was least to win, 250 And most to lose, the doubtful work begin; But look’d on change with some religious fear, And cried, with filial dread, “Ah! come not here.” His friends he did not as the thoughtful choose; Long to deliberate was, he judged, to lose; Frankly he join’d the free, nor suffered pride Or doubt to part them, whom their fate allied; Men with such minds at once each other aid; } “Frankness,” they cry, “with frankness is repaid; } If honest, why suspect? if poor, of what afraid? } 260 Wealth’s timid votaries may with caution move; Be it our wisdom to confide and love.” So pleasures came, (not purchased first or plann’d) But the chance pleasures that the poor command; They came but seldom, they remain’d not long, Nor gave him time to question “are they wrong?” These he enjoy’d, and left to after time To judge the folly or decide the crime; Sure had he been, he had perhaps been pure From this reproach--but Richard was not sure-- 270 Yet from the sordid vice, the mean, the base, He stood aloof--death frown’d not like disgrace. With handsome figure, and with manly air, He pleased the sex, who all to him were fair; With filial love he look’d on forms decay’d, And admiration’s debt to beauty paid; On sea or land, wherever Richard went, He felt affection, and he found content; There was in him a strong presiding hope In fortune’s tempests, and it bore him up. 280 But when that mystic vine his mansion graced, When numerous branches round his board were placed, When sighs of apprehensive love were heard-- Then first the spirit of the hero fear’d; Then he reflected on the father’s part, And all an husband’s sorrow touch’d his heart; Then thought he, “Who will their assistance lend? And be the children’s guide, the parent’s friend? Who shall their guardian, their protector be? I have a brother--Well!--and so has he.” 290 And now they met; a message--kind, ’tis true, But verbal only--ask’d an interview; And many a mile, perplex’d by doubt and fear, Had Richard past, unwilling to appear--