For this belief, he this would not believe: 120 No! he was quite in raptures to discern That love, and that avidity to learn. ’Could she have found,‘ she said, ’a friend, a guide, Like him, to study had been all her pride; But, doom‘d so long to frivolous employ, How could she those superior views enjoy? The day might come--a happy day for her, When she might choose the ways she should prefer.‘ “Then too he learn‘d in accidental way, } How much she grieved to lose the given day } 130 In dissipation wild, in visitation gay. } Happy, most happy, must the woman prove Who proudly looks on him she vows to love; Who can her humble acquisitions state, That he will praise, at least will tolerate. “Still the cool mother sundry doubts express‘d,-- ’How! is Augusta graver than the rest? There are three others: they are not inclined To feed with precious food the empty mind; Whence this strong relish?‘ ’It is very strong,‘ 140 Replied the son, ’and has possess‘d her long; Increased indeed, I may presume, by views-- We may suppose--ah! may she not refuse?‘ ’Fear not!--I see the question must be tried, Nay, is determined--let us to your bride.‘ “They soon were wedded, and the nymph appear‘d By all her promised excellence endear‘d: Her words were kind, were cautious, and were few, And she was proud--of what her husband knew. “Weeks pass‘d away, some five or six, before, 150 Bless‘d in the present, Finch could think of more. A month was next upon a journey spent, When to the Lakes the fond companions went; Then the gay town received them, and, at last, Home to their mansion, man and wife, they pass‘d. “And now in quiet way they came to live On what their fortune, love, and hopes would give. The honied moon had nought but silver rays, And shone benignly on their early days; The second moon a light less vivid shed, 160 And now the silver rays were tinged with lead. They now began to look beyond the Hall, And think what friends would make a morning-call; Their former appetites return‘d, and now Both could their wishes and their tastes avow; ‘Twas now no longer ’just what you approve,‘ But ’let the wild fowl be to-day, my love.‘ In fact the senses, drawn aside by force Of a strong passion, sought their usual course. “Now to her music would the wife repair, 170 To which he listen‘d once with eager air; When there was so much harmony within, That any note was sure its way to win; But now the sweet melodious tones were sent From the struck chords, and none cared where they went. Full well we know that many a favourite air That charms a party fails to charm a pair; And as Augusta play‘d she look‘d around,