It was some pleasure when I used him ill; This I must lose if we should brethren be, Yet may be not, for brethren disagree; The fool is right--there is no bar in life Against their marriage--let her be his wife.-- 210 Well, sir, you hear me!’--Never man complied, And left a beggar so dissatisfied; Though all was granted, yet was grace refused; } I felt as one indulged, and yet abused; } And yet, although provoked, I was not unamused. } “In a reply like this appear’d to meet All that encourage hope, and that defeat; Consent, though cool, had been for me enough, But this consent had something of reproof; I had prepared my answer to his rage, 220 With his contempt I thought not to engage. I, like a hero, would my castle storm, And meet the giant in his proper form; Then, conquering him, would set my princess free: This would a trial and a triumph be-- When lo! a sneering menial brings the keys, And cries in scorn, ‘Come, enter, if you please; You’ll find the lady sitting on her bed, And ’tis expected that you woo and wed.’ “Yet not so easy was my conquest found; 230 I met with trouble ere with triumph crown’d. Triumph, alas!--My father little thought, A king at home, how other minds are wrought; True, his meek neighbour was a gentle squire, And had a soul averse from wrath and ire; He answer’d frankly, when to him I went, ‘I give you little, sir, in my consent.’ He and my mother were to us inclined, The powerless party with the peaceful mind; But that meek man was destined to obey 240 A sovereign lady’s unremitted sway, Who bore no partial, no divided rule; All were obedient pupils in her school. She had religious zeal, both strong and sour, That gave an active sternness to her power; But few could please her--she herself was one By whom that deed was very seldom done. With such a being, so disposed to feed Contempt and scorn--how was I to succeed? But love commanded, and I made my prayer 250 To the stern lady, with an humble air, Said all that lovers hope, all measures tried That love suggested, and bow’d down to pride. “Yes! I have now the tygress in my eye-- When I had ceased and waited her reply, A pause ensued; and then she slowly rose, With bitter smile predictive of my woes, A look she saw was plainly understood---- “‘Admire my daughter! Sir, you’re very good. The girl is decent, take her all in all-- } 260 Genteel, we hope--perhaps a thought too tall; } A daughter’s portion hers--you’ll think her } fortune small. } Perhaps her uncles, in a cause so good, Would do a little for their flesh and blood; We are not ill allied--and, say we make