_P._ How fared these lovers? Many a time I thought 100 How with their ill-starr’d passion Time had wrought. Did either party from his oath recede, Or were they never from the bondage freed? _F._ Alas! replied my Friend—the tale I tell With some reluctance, nor can do it well. There are three females in the place, and they, Like skilful painters, could the facts portray In their strong colours—all that I can do } Is to present a weak imperfect view; } The colours I must leave—the outlines shall be true. 110} Soon did each party see the other’s mind, What bound them both, and what was like to bind; Oaths deeply taken in such time and place, To break them now was dreadful—was disgrace! “That oath a dying father bade me take, Can I—yourself a father—can I break? “That oath which I, a living sinner, took Shall I make void, and yet for mercy look?” The women wept; the men, themselves distress’d, The cruel rage of party zeal confess’d; 120 But solemn oaths, though sprung from party zeal, Feel them we must, as Christians ought to feel. Yet shall a youth so good, a girl so fair, From their obedience only draw despair? Must they be parted? Is there not a way For them both love and duty to obey? Strongly they hoped; and by their friends around A way, at least a lover’s way, was found. “Give up your vote; you’ll then no longer be Free in one sense, but in the better free.” 130 Such was of reasoning friends the kind advice, And how could lovers in such case be nice? A man may swear to walk directly on, While sight remains; but how, if sight be gone? “Oaths are not binding when the party’s dead, Or when the power to keep the oath is fled; If I’ve no vote, I’ve neither friend nor foe, Nor can be said on either side to go.” They were no casuists:—“Well!” the Captain cried, “Give up your vote, man, and behold your bride!” 140 Thus was it fix’d, and fix’d the day for both To take the vow, and set aside the oath. It gave some pain; but all agreed to say, “You’re now absolved, and have no other way. ’Tis not expected you should love resign At man’s commands, for love’s are all divine.” When all is quiet and the mind at rest, All in the calm of innocence are blest; But when some scruple mixes with our joy, We love to give the anxious mind employ. 150 In autumn late, when evening suns were bright, The day was fix’d the lovers to unite; But one before the eager Captain chose To break, with jocund act, his girl’s repose, And, sailor-like, said, “Hear how I intend One day, before the day of days, to spend! All round the quay, and by the river’s side, Shall be a scene of glory for the bride. We’ll have a RACE, and colours will devise For every boat, for every man, a prize; 160 But that which first returns shall bear away The proudest pendant—Let us name the day!”