And sought the meetings of adventurous men. There was a love-born sadness in his breast, That wanted stimulus to bring on rest; These simple pleasures were no more of use, And danger only could repose produce; He join’d th’ associates in their lawless trade, And was at length of their profession made. He saw connected with th’ adventurous crew 160 Those whom he judged were sober men and true; He found that some, who should the trade prevent, Gave it by purchase their encouragement; He found that contracts could be made with those Who had their pay these dealers to oppose; And the good ladies whom at church he saw, With looks devout, of reverence and awe, Could change their feelings as they change their place, And, whispering, deal for spicery and lace: And thus the craft and avarice of these 170 Urged on the youth, and gave his conscience ease. Him loved the maiden Rachel, fondly loved, As many a sigh and tear in absence proved, And many a fear for dangers that she knew, And many a doubt what one so gay might do. Of guilt she thought not—she had often heard They bought and sold, and nothing wrong appear’d; Her father’s maxim this; she understood There was some ill—but he, she knew, was good; It was a traffic—but was done by night— 180 If wrong, how trade? why secrecy, if right? But Robert’s conscience, she believed, was pure— And that he read his Bible she was sure. James, better taught, in confidence declared His grief for what his guilty brother dared: He sigh’d to think how near he was akin To one [seduced] by godless men to sin; Who, being always of the law in dread, To other crimes were by the danger led, And crimes with like excuse——The smuggler cries, 190 “What guilt is his who pays for what he buys?” The poacher questions, with perverted mind, “Were not the gifts of heaven for all design’d?” _This_ cries, “I sin not—take not till I pay;”— _That_, “My own hand brought down my proper prey.”— And while to such fond arguments they cling, How fear they God? how honour they the king? Such men associate, and each other aid, Till all are guilty, rash, and desperate made; Till to some lawless deed the wretches fly, 200 And in the act or for the acting, die. The maid was frighten’d—but, if this was true, Robert for certain no such danger knew; He always pray’d ere he a trip begun, And was too happy for a wicked man. How could a creature, who was always gay, } So kind to all men, so disposed to pray, } How could he give his heart to such an evil way? } Yet she had fears—for she could not believe That James could lie, or purpose to deceive; 210 But still she found, though not without respect For one so good, she must the man reject: For, simple though she was, full well she knew What this strong friendship led him to pursue; And, let the man be honest as the light,