And here I find relief, and here I seek repose. } “Yet much is lost, and not yet much is found, But what remains, I would believe, is sound: 820 That first wild passion, that last mean desire, Are felt no more; but holier hopes require A mind prepared and steady--my reform Has fears like his, who, suffering in a storm, Is on a rich but unknown country cast, The future fearing, while he feels the past; But whose more cheerful mind, with hope imbued, Sees through receding clouds the rising good.” TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK VIII. _THE SISTERS._ Morning Walk and Conversation--Visit at a Cottage--Characters of the Sisters--Lucy and Jane--Their Lovers--Their Friend the Banker and his Lady--Their Intimacy--Its Consequence--Different Conduct of the Lovers--The Effect upon the Sisters--Their present State--The Influence of their Fortune upon the Minds of either. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK VIII. _THE SISTERS._ The morning shone in cloudless beauty bright; Richard his letters read with much delight; George from his pillow rose in happy tone, His bosom’s lord sat lightly on his throne. They read the morning news--they saw the sky Inviting call’d them, and the earth was dry. “The day invites us, brother,” said the ’squire; “Come, and I’ll show thee something to admire: We still may beauty in our prospects trace; If not, we have them in both mind and face. 10 “’Tis but two miles--to let such women live Unseen of him, what reason can I give? Why should not Richard to the girls be known? Would I have all their friendship for my own?-- Brother, there dwell, yon northern hill below, Two favourite maidens, whom ’tis good to know; Young, but experienced; dwellers in a cot, Where they sustain and dignify their lot; The best good girls in all our world below-- O! you must know them--Come! and you shall know. 20 “But lo! the morning wastes--here, Jacob, stir-- If Phœbe comes, do you attend to her; And let not Mary get a chattering press Of idle girls to hear of her distress. Ask her to wait till my return--and hide From her meek mind your plenty and your pride; Nor vex a creature, humble, sad, and still, By your coarse bounty, and your rude good-will.” This said, the brothers hasten’d on their way, With all the foretaste of a pleasant day. 30 The morning purpose in the mind had fix’d The leading thought, and that with others mix’d. “How well it is,” said George, “when we possess The strength that bears us up in our distress; And need not the resources of our pride, Our fall from greatness and our wants to hide; But have the spirit and the wish to show, We know our wants as well as others know. ’Tis true, the rapid turns of fortune’s wheel