“What fiend possess’d me when I tamely gave My forced assent to be an idiot’s slave? Her beauty vanish’d, what for me remains? Th’ eternal clicking of the galling chains. Her person truly I may think my own, Seen without pleasure, without triumph shown: 760 Doleful she sits, her children at her knees, And gives up all her feeble powers to please; Whom I, unmoved, or moved with scorn, behold, Melting as ice, as vapid and as cold.” Such was his fate, and he must yet endure The self-contempt that no self-love can cure. Some business call’d him to a wealthy town When unprepared for more than Fortune’s frown; There at a house he gave his luckless name, The master absent, and Cecilia came. 770 Unhappy man! he could not, dared not speak, But look’d around, as if retreat to seek; This she allow’d not; but, with brow severe, Ask’d him his business, sternly bent to hear. He had no courage, but he view’d that face } As if he sought for sympathy and grace; } As if some kind returning thought to trace— } In vain; not long he waited, but, with air That of all grace compell’d him to despair, She rang the bell, and, when a servant came, 780 Left the repentant traitor to his shame; But, going, spoke, “Attend this person out, And if he speaks, hear what he comes about!” Then, with cool curtesy, from the room withdrew, That seem’d to say, “Unhappy man, adieu!” Thus will it be when man permits a vice First to invade his heart, and then entice; When wishes vain and undefined arise, And that weak heart deceive, seduce, surprise; When evil Fortune works on Folly’s side, 790 And rash Resentment adds a spur to Pride; Then life’s long troubles from these actions come, In which a moment may decide our doom. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK XIV. _THE NATURAL DEATH OF LOVE._ The Rector of the Parish—His Manner of teaching—Of living—Richard’s Correspondence—The Letters received—Love that survives Marriage—That dies in consequence—That is permitted to die for Want of Care—Henry and Emma, a Dialogue—Complaints on either Side—And Replies—Mutual Accusation—Defence of acknowledged Error—Means of restoring Happiness—The one to be adopted. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK XIV. _THE NATURAL DEATH OF LOVE._