One’s meaning is, their malice would be still.” At this she wept; at least a glittering gem Shone in each eye, and there was fire in them, For, as they fell, the sparkles, at his feet, He felt emotions very warm and sweet. “A lovely creature! not more fair than good; 320 By all admired, by some, it seems, pursued; Yet self-protected by her virtue’s force And conscious truth—What evil in discourse With one so guarded, who is pleased to trust Herself with me, reliance strong and just?” Our lover then believed he must not seem Cold to the maid who gave him her esteem; Not manly this; Cecilia had his heart, But it was lawful with his time to part. It would be wrong in her to take amiss 330 A virtuous friendship for a girl like this; False or disloyal he would never prove, But kindness here took nothing from his love. Soldiers to serve a foreign prince are known, When not on present duty to their own; So, though our bosom’s queen we still prefer, We are not always on our knees to her. “Cecilia present, witness yon fair moon, And yon bright orbs, that fate would change as soon As my devotion; but the absent sun 340 Cheers us no longer when his course is run; And then those starry twinklers may obtain A little worship till he shines again.” The father still commanded “Wait awhile;” And the son answer’d in submissive style, Grieved, but obedient; and obedience teased His lady’s spirit more than grieving pleased. That he should grieve in absence was most fit, But not that he to absence should submit; And in her letters might be traced reproof, 350 Distant indeed, but visible enough; This should the wandering of his heart have stay’d; Alas! the wanderer was the vainer made. The parties daily met, as by consent, And yet it always seem’d by accident; Till in the nymph the shepherd had been blind If he had fail’d to see a manner kind, With that expressive look, that seem’d to say, “You do not speak, and yet you see you may.” O! yes, he saw, and he resolved to fly, 360 And blamed his heart, unwilling to comply: He sometimes wonder’d how it came to pass, That he had all this freedom with the lass; Reserved herself, with strict attention kept, And care and vigilance that never slept: “How is it thus that they a beauty trust With me, who feel the confidence is just? And they, too, feel it; yes, they may confide;”— He said in folly, and he smiled in pride. ’Tis thus our secret passions work their way, 370 And the poor victims know not they obey. Familiar now became the wandering pair, And there was pride and joy in Fanny’s air; For, though his silence did not please the maid, She judged him only modest and afraid. The gentle dames are ever pleased to find Their lovers dreading they should prove unkind; So, blind by hope, and pleased with prospects gay, }