I almost thought I saw compassion, too, For all the cruel things she meant to do. Well I can call to mind the managed air That gave no comfort, that brought no despair, That in a dubious balance held the mind, To each side turning, never much inclined. “She spoke with kindness--thought the honour high, 690 And knew not how to give a fit reply; She could not, would not, dared not, must not deem Such language proof of ought but my esteem; It made her proud--she never could forget My partial thoughts--she felt her much in debt: She who had never in her life indulged The thought of hearing what I now divulged: I, who had seen so many and so much-- It was an honour--she would deem it such. Our different years, indeed, would put an end } 700 To other views, but still her father’s friend } To her, she humbly hoped, would his regard extend. } Thus, saying nothing, all she meant to say, She play’d the part the sex delights to play; Now by some act of kindness giving scope To the new workings of excited hope, Then by an air of something like disdain, But scarcely seen, repelling it again; Then for a season, neither cold nor kind, She kept a sort of balance in the mind, 710 And, as his pole a dancer on the rope, The equal poise on both sides kept me up. “Is it not strange that man can fairly view Pursuit like this, and yet his point pursue; While he the folly fairly will confess, And even feel the danger of success? But so it is, and nought the Circes care How ill their victims with their poison fare, When thus they trifle, and with quiet soul Mix their ingredients in the maddening bowl: 720 Their high regard, the softness of their air, The pitying grief that saddens at a prayer, Their grave petitions for the peace of mind That they determine you shall never find, And all their vain amazement that a man Like you should love--they wonder how you can. “For months the idler play’d her wicked part, Then fairly gave the secret of her heart. ‘She hoped’--I now the smiling gipsy view-- ‘Her father’s friend would be her lover’s too; 730 Young Henry Gale’--‘But why delay so long?’-- ‘She could not tell--she fear’d it might be wrong, But I was good’--I knew not, I was weak, And spoke as love directed me to speak. “When in my arms their boy and girl I take, I feel a fondness for the mother’s sake; But though the dears some softening thoughts excite, I have no wishes for the father’s right. “Now all is quiet, and the mind sustains Its proper comforts, its befitting pains; 740 The heart reposes; it has had its share } Of love, as much as it could fairly bear; } And what is left in life that now demands its care? }