’Twas time to lend an erring mortal aid: “The noblest way,” she judged, “a soul to win, } Was with an act of kindness to begin, } To make the sinner sure, and then t’ attack the sin[5].” } [5] As the author’s purpose in this Tale may be mistaken, he wishes to observe, that conduct like that of the lady’s here described must be meritorious or censurable just as the motives to it are pure or selfish; that these motives may in a great measure be concealed from the mind of the agent; and that we often take credit to our virtue for actions which spring originally from our tempers, inclinations, or our indifference. It cannot therefore be improper, much less immoral, to give an instance of such self-deception. TALE X. _THE LOVER’S JOURNEY._ The sun is in the [heaven], and the proud day, Attended with the pleasures of the world, Is all too wanton. _King John_, Act III. Scene 3. The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, Are of imagination all compact. _Midsummer Night’s Dream_, Act V. Scene 2. Oh! how the spring of love resembleth Th’ uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all her beauty to the sun, And by and by a cloud bears all away. And happily I have arrived at last Unto the wished haven of my bliss. _Taming of the Shrew_, Act V. Scene 1. TALE X. _THE LOVER’S JOURNEY._ It is the soul that sees; the outward eyes } Present the object, but the mind descries; } And thence delight, disgust, or cool indiff’rence rise: } When minds are joyful, then we look around, And what is seen is all on fairy ground; Again they sicken, and on every view Cast their own dull and melancholy hue; Or, if absorb’d by their peculiar cares, The vacant eye on viewless matter glares, Our feelings still upon our views attend, 10 And their own natures to the objects lend; Sorrow and joy are in their influence sure, Long as the passion reigns th’ effects endure; But love in minds his various changes makes, And clothes each object with the change he takes; His light and shade on every view he throws, And on each object, what he feels, bestows. Fair was the morning, and the month was June, When rose a lover; love awakens soon; Brief his repose, yet much he dreamt the while 20 Of that day’s meeting, and his Laura’s smile; Fancy and love that name assign’d to her, Call’d Susan in the parish-register; And he no more was John--his Laura gave The name Orlando to her faithful slave. Bright shone the glory of the rising day, When the fond traveller took his favourite way; He mounted gaily, felt his bosom light, And all he saw was pleasing in his sight. “Ye hours of expectation, quickly fly, 30