His glory will descend from sire to son, The Burns of English race, the happier Chatterton.” Our poet’s mind, now hurried and elate, 120 Alarm’d the anxious parent for his fate; Who saw with sorrow, should their friend succeed, That much discretion would the poet need. Their friend succeeded, and repaid the zeal The poet felt, and made opposers feel, By praise (from lords how soothing and how sweet!) And invitation to his noble seat. The father ponder’d, doubtful if the brain Of his proud boy such honour could sustain; Pleased with the favours offer’d to a son, 130 But seeing dangers few so ardent shun. Thus, when they parted, to the youthful breast The father’s fears were by his love impress’d: “There you will find, my son, the courteous ease That must subdue the soul it means to please; That soft attention which ev’n beauty pays To wake our passions, or provoke our praise; There all the eye beholds will give delight, Where every sense is flatter’d like the sight. This is your peril; can you from such scene 140 Of splendour part, and feel your mind serene, And in the father’s humble state resume The frugal diet and the narrow room?” To this the youth with cheerful heart replied, Pleased with the trial, but as yet untried; And while professing patience, should he fail, He suffer’d hope o’er reason to prevail. Impatient, by the morning mail convey’d, The happy guest his promised visit paid; And now, arriving at the hall, he tried 150 For air composed, serene and satisfied; As he had practised in his room alone, And there acquired a free and easy tone. There he had said, “Whatever the degree A man obtains, what more than man is he?” And when arrived--“This room is but a room; Can aught we see the steady soul o’ercome? Let me in all a manly firmness show, Upheld by talents, and their value know.” This reason urged; but it surpass’d his skill 160 To be in act as manly as in will: When he his lordship and the lady saw, Brave as he was, he felt oppress’d with awe; And spite of verse, that so much praise had won, The poet found he was the bailiff’s son. But dinner came, and the succeeding hours Fix’d his weak nerves, and raised his failing powers; Praised and assured, he ventured once or twice On some remark, and bravely broke the ice; So that at night, reflecting on his words, 170 He found in time, he might converse with lords. Now was the sister of his patron seen-- A lovely creature, with majestic mien; Who, softly smiling while she look’d so fair, Praised the young poet with such friendly air; Such winning frankness in her looks express’d, And such attention to her brother’s guest,