And view'd the priest with insult in her eye; She thrice had heard him when he boldly spoke On dangerous points, and fear'd he would revoke: For James she ioved not--and her manner told, "This warm affection will be quickly cold:" And still she fear'd impression might be made Upon a subject nervous and decay'd; She knew her danger, and had no desire Of reformation in the gallant 'Squire; And felt an envious pleasure in her breast To see the rector daunted and distress'd. Again the Uncle to the youth applied - "Cast, my dear lad, that cursed gloom aside: There are for all things time and place; appear Grave in your pulpit, and be merry here: Now take your wine--for woes a sure resource, And the best prelude to a long discourse." James half obey'd, but cast an angry eye On the fair lass, who still stood watchful by; Resolving thus, "I have my fears--but still I must perform my duties, and I will: No love, no interest, shall my mind control; Better to lose my comforts than my soul; Better my uncle's favour to abjure, Than the upbraidings of my heart endure." He took his glass, and then address'd the 'Squire: "I feel not well, permit me to retire." The 'Squire conceived that the ensuing day Gave him these terrors for the grand essay, When he himself should this young preacher try, And stand before him with observant eye; This raised compassion in his manly breast, And he would send the rector to his rest; Yet first, in soothing voice--"A moment stay, And these suggestions of a friend obey; Treasure these hints, if fame or peace you prize, - The bottle emptied, I shall close my eyes. "On every priest a twofold care attends, To prove his talents, and insure his friends: First, of the first--your stores at once produce; And bring your reading to its proper use: On doctrines dwell, and every point enforce By quoting much, the scholar's sure resource; For he alone can show us on each head What ancient schoolmen and sage fathers said. No worth has knowledge, if you fail to show How well you studied and how much you know: Is faith your subject, and you judge it right On theme so dark to cast a ray of light, Be it that faith the orthodox maintain, Found in the rubric, what the creeds explain; Fail not to show us on this ancient faith (And quote the passage) what some martyr saith: Dwell not one moment on a faith that shocks The minds of men sincere and orthodox; That gloomy faith, that robs the wounded mind Of all the comfort it was wont to find From virtuous acts, and to the soul denies Its proper due for alms and charities; That partial faith, that, weighing sins alone, Lets not a virtue for a fault atone; That partial faith, that would our tables clear, And make one dreadful Lent of all the year; And cruel too, for this is faith that rends Confiding beauties from protecting friends; A faith that all embracing, what a gloom Deep and terrific o'er the land would come! What scenes of horror would that time disclose!