That I began to wish the thing could be. “Still, when the day that soon would come was named, I felt a cold fit, and was half ashamed; But we too far proceeded to revoke, And had been much too serious for a joke; I shook away the fear that man annoys, 390 And thought a little of the girls and boys. “A week remain’d--for seven succeeding days Nor man nor woman might control my ways; For seven dear nights I might to rest retire At my own time, and none the cause require; For seven blest days I might go in and out, And none demand, ‘Sir, what are you about?’ For one whole week I might at will discourse On any subject, with a freeman’s force. “Thus while I thought, I utter’d, as men sing 400 In under-voice, reciting ‘With this ring;’ That, when the hour should come, I might not dread These, or the words that follow’d, ‘I thee wed.’ “Such was my state of mind, exulting now And then depress’d--I cannot tell you how-- When a poor lady, whom her friends could send On any message, a convenient friend, Who had all feelings of her own o’ercome, And could pronounce to any man his doom; Whose heart indeed was marble, but whose face 410 Assumed the look adapted to the case, Enter’d my room, commission’d to assuage What was foreseen, my sorrow and my rage. “It seem’d the lady whom I could prefer, And could my much-loved freedom lose for her, Had bold attempts, but not successful, made, The heart of some rich cousin to invade; Who, half resisting, half complying, kept A cautious distance, and the business slept. “This prudent swain his own importance knew, 420 And swore to part the now affianced two. Fill’d with insidious purpose, forth he went, Profess’d his love, and woo’d her to consent. ‘Ah! were it true!’ she sigh’d; he boldly swore His love sincere, and mine was sought no more. “All this the witch at dreadful length reveal’d, And begg’d me calmly to my fate to yield: Much pains she took engagements old to state, And hoped to hear me curse my cruel fate, Threat’ning my luckless life; and thought it strange 430 In me to bear the unexpected change; In my calm feelings she beheld disguise, And told of some strange wildness in my eyes. “But there was nothing in the eye amiss, And the heart calmly bore a stroke like this. Not so my mother; though of gentle kind, She could no mercy for the creature find. “‘Vile plot!’ she said.--‘But, madam, if they plot, And you would have revenge, disturb them not.’-- “‘What can we do, my son?’--‘Consult our ease, 440 And do just nothing, madam, if you please.’-- “‘What will be said?’--‘We need not that discuss; Our friends and neighbours will do that for us.’-- “‘Do you so lightly, son, your loss sustain?’--