He then in trifling points the youth advised, Talk'd of his coat, and had it modernized; Or with the lad a Sunday-walk would take, And kindly strive his passions to awake; Meanwhile explaining all they heard and saw, Till Stephen stood in wonderment and awe; To a neat garden near the town they stray'd, Where the Lad felt delighted and afraid; There all he saw was smart, and fine, and fair - He could but marvel how he ventured there: Soon he observed, with terror and alarm, His friend enlocked within a Lady's arm, And freely talking--"But it is," said he, "A near relation, and that makes him free;" And much amazed was Stephen when he knew This was the first and only interview; Nay, had that lovely arm by him been seized, The lovely owner had been highly pleased. "Alas!" he sigh'd, "I never can contrive At such bold, blessed freedoms to arrive; Never shall I such happy courage boast, I dare as soon encounter with a ghost." Now to a play the friendly couple went, But the Boy murmurd at the money spent; "He lov'd," he said, "to buy, but not to spend - They only talk awhile, and there's an end." "Come, you shall purchase books," the Friend replied; "You are bewilder'd, and you want a guide; To me refer the choice, and you shall find The light break in upon your stagnant mind!" The cooler Clerks exclaim'd, "In vain your art To improve a cub without a head or heart; Rustics, though coarse, and savages, though wild, Our cares may render liberal and mild: But what, my friend, can flow from all these pains? There is no dealing with a lack of brains." "True I am hopeless to behold him man, But let me make the booby what I can: Though the rude stone no polish will display, Yet you may strip the rugged coat away." Stephen beheld his books--"I love to know How money goes--now here is that to show: And now" he cried, "I shall be pleased to get Beyond the Bible--there I puzzle yet." He spoke abash'd--"Nay, nay!" the friend replied, "You need not lay the good old book aside; Antique and curious, I myself indeed Read it at times, but as a man should read;. A fine old work it is, and I protest I hate to hear it treated as a jest: The book has wisdom in it, if you look Wisely upon it, as another book: For superstition (as our priests of sin Are pleased to tell us) makes us blind within; Of this hereafter--we will now select Some works to please you, others to direct; Tales and romances shall your fancy feed, And reasoners form your morals and your creed." The books were view'd, the price was fairly paid, And Stephen read undaunted, undismay'd: But not till first he papered all the row, And placed in order to enjoy the show: Next letter'd all the backs with care and speed, Set them in ranks, and then began to read. The love of Order--I the thing receive From reverend men, and I in part believe - Shows a clear mind and clean, and whoso needs This love, but seldom in the world succeeds; And yet with this some other love must be,