I knew him not; but I suppose, if known, He wish’d his people’s folly like his own; He whom he could of his Religion made, And punish’d those whom he could not persuade.— But let your favourite Prince his name afford; I will not quarrel with you for a Word.” The Name she thought would not ungraceful be, And nothing knew of the Apostacy. The Priest objected, but the Squire maintain’d 620 The Point with Vigor, and his purpose gain’d. Thus liv’d the Couple, daily to contend, And never wish’d their Quarrels at an End. They felt no fondness, and no more of hate Than gave an Edge and pleasure to debate. Contentions sprang from themes of every kind And wak’d from Sloth to Energy the Mind; Quarrels they took, like Bitters, to excite And give Exertion to the Appetite. For twice ten years the sprightly Course they try’d; 630 When the Strife ended, and the Husband died. But first he thought that she who had been long A Plague to him would lead his Julian wrong; Nor would she fail to soothe and to decoy To her own Will th’affection of the boy. Therefore a Friend and Neighbour he besought That no such Evil on the Child be wrought; And, tho’ the friend was Christian, all was well. This rather pleas’d the dying Infidel; For he confess’d he had among them seen, 640 As spake their Actions, some with Conscience clean; And not Philosophers themselves were found Above all seeming and within all sound. Julian was thus in purest knowledge train’d, In all the Father slighted or disdain’d: Honour to value at the noblest price; To hold no parly with a pleading Vice; And true Religion to defend in Times When Truth and faith were heresies and Crimes. The Man whom Vere judg’d fittest to protect 650 His Boy, when young, and into Life direct Was one who made of Talents no display: } A mild good Man, of whom his friends could say } That Foes in vain might blame the Lord of Etheringay— } The “virtuous Boyle,” a Name that he sustain’d, And well preserv’d the fame that others gain’d. He with a widow’d Father past his Time In aiding Merit and suppressing Crime; Nor till his fortieth year had found the fair For whom he sigh’d, and sigh’d not in Despair. 660 Happy with her he seem’d as Man could be— Still happier with the Infant Emely. In her fifth year, she saw with childish Joy, Then in his tenth, her Sire’s adopted boy. Tall, handsome, unabash’d, in Spirit gay She found a friend in study and in play. But brief the happy Season; Summons stern Call’d Julian hence in other place to learn, For other Studies of severer kind, And by harsh Contest form the manly Mind. 670 But, in the time when youthful bosoms beat Twice in each year for the paternal Seat, A few Dull Days he with his Mother past, But gave to Emely the best and last. Young as he was, he found himself too old