Thus would the lads their sentiments express, 90 And part in earnest, part in playfulness; Till Love, controller of all hearts and eyes, } Breaker of bonds, of friendship’s holy ties, } Awakener of new wills and slumbering sympathies, } Began his reign—till Rachel, meek-eyed maid, That form, those cheeks, that faultless face display’d— That child of gracious nature, ever neat And never fine; a flowret simply sweet, Seeming at least unconscious she was fair; Meek in her spirit, timid in her air, 100 And shrinking from his glance if one presumed To come too near the beauty as it bloom’d. Robert beheld her in her father’s cot Day after day, and blest his happy lot; He look’d indeed, but he could not offend By gentle looks—he was her father’s friend. She was accustom’d to that tender look, And frankly gave the hand he fondly took; She loved his stories, pleased she heard him play; } Pensive herself, she loved to see him gay; 110} And, if they loved not yet, they were in Love’s highway. } But Rachel now to womanhood was grown, And would no more her faith and fondness own; She called her latent prudence to her aid, And grew observant, cautious, and afraid; She heard relations of her lover’s guile, And could believe the danger of his smile. With art insidious rival damsels strove To show how false his speech, how feign’d his love; And, though her heart another story told, 120 Her speech grew cautious, and her manner cold. Rachel had village fame, was fair and tall, And gain’d a place of credit at the Hall; Where James beheld her seated in that place, With a child’s meekness and an angel’s face; Her temper soft, her spirit firm, her words Simple and few as simple truth affords. James could but love her—he at church had seen The tall, fair maid; had met her on the green; Admiring always, nor surprised to find 130 Her figure often present to his mind; But now he saw her daily, and the sight Gave him new pleasure and increased delight. But James, still prudent and reserved, though sure The love he felt was love that would endure, Would wait awhile, observing what was fit, And meet, and right, nor would himself commit. Then was he flatter’d—James in time became Rich, both as slayer of the Baron’s game, And as protector—not a female dwelt 140 In that demesne who had not feign’d or felt Regard for James; and he from all had praise Enough a young man’s vanity to raise; With all these pleasures he of course must part When Rachel reign’d sole empress of his heart. Robert was now deprived of that delight He once experienced in his mistress’ sight; For, though he now his frequent visits paid, He saw but little of the cautious maid; The simple, common pleasures that he took 150 Grew dull, and he the wonted haunts forsook; His flute and song he left, his book and pen,