Still on he rode! a mansion fair and tall Rose on his view--the pride of Loddon-Hall: Spread o’er the park he saw the grazing steer, The full-fed steed, the herds of bounding deer; On a clear stream the vivid sunbeams play’d, } Through noble elms, and on the surface made } That moving picture, checker’d light and shade; } 270 Th’ attended children, there indulged to stray, Enjoy’d and gave new beauty to the day; Whose happy parents from their room were seen Pleased with the sportive idlers on the green. “Well!” said Orlando, “and for one so bless’d, } A thousand reasoning wretches are distress’d; } Nay, these so seeming glad, are grieving like the rest: } Man is a cheat--and all but strive to hide Their inward misery by their outward pride. What do yon lofty gates and walls contain, 280 But fruitless means to soothe unconquer’d pain? The parents read each infant daughter’s smile, Form’d to seduce, encouraged to beguile; They view the boys unconscious of their fate, Sure to be tempted, sure to take the bait; These will be Lauras, sad Orlandos these-- There’s guilt and grief in all one hears and sees.” Our trav’ller, lab’ring up a hill, look’d down Upon a lively, busy, pleasant town; All he beheld were there alert, alive, 290 The busiest bees that ever stock’d a hive: A pair were married, and the bells aloud Proclaim’d their joy, and joyful seem’d the crowd; And now proceeding on his way, he spied, Bound by strong ties, the bridegroom and the bride; Each by some friends attended, near they drew, And spleen beheld them with prophetic view. “Married! nay, mad!” Orlando cried in scorn; “Another wretch on this unlucky morn! What are this foolish mirth, these idle joys? 300 Attempts to stifle doubt and fear by noise: To me these robes, expressive of delight, Foreshow distress, and only grief excite; And for these cheerful friends, will they behold Their wailing brood in sickness, want, and cold; And his proud look, and her soft languid air Will--but I spare you--go, unhappy pair!” And now approaching to the journey’s end, } His anger fails, his thoughts to kindness tend, } He less offended feels, and rather fears t’ offend: } 310 Now gently rising, hope contends with doubt, And casts a sunshine on the views without; And still reviving joy and lingering gloom Alternate empire o’er his soul assume; Till, long perplex’d, he now began to find The softer thoughts engross the settling mind. He saw the mansion, and should quickly see His Laura’s self--and angry could he be? No! the resentment melted all away-- “For this my grief a single smile will pay,” 320 Our trav’ller cried;--“And why should it offend,