WITH silent steps the innocent withdrew; To mothers, sisters,--none she bade adieu. Long time she walked through fields, and plain, and dale; At length she gained a wood within a vale; There met an aged man, who once might be, Gay, airy, pleasing, blithe, gallant, and free, But now a meagre skeleton was seen The shadow only of what late he'd been: Said she, good father, I have much desire To be a saint: thither my hopes aspire; I fain would merit reverence and prayer, A festival have kept with anxious care; What pleasure, ev'ry year, the palm in hand, And, beaming round the head, a holy band, Nice presents, flow'rs, and off'rings to receive Your practice difficult must I believe? Already I can fast for many days, And soon should learn to follow all your ways. Go, said the aged man, your plan resign; I'd have you, as a friend, the state decline; 'Tis not so easy sanctity to meet, That fasting should suffice the boon to greet. Heav'n guards from ill the maids and wives who fast, Or holiness would very seldom last. 'Tis requisite to practise other things; These secrets are, which move by hidden springs; A hermit, whom you'll find beneath yon' beech, Can, better far than I, their virtues teach; Go, seek him, pray, make haste if you are sage; I ne'er retain such birds within my cage. This having said, at once he left the belle, And wisely shut the door, and barred his cell: Not trusting hair-cloth, fasting, age, nor gout; With beauty, anchorites themselves should doubt. OUR pensive fair soon found the person meant, A man whose soul was on religion bent; His name was Rustick, young and warm in prayer; Such youthful hermits of deception share. Her holy wish, the girl to him expressed, A wish most fervent doubtless to be blessed, And felt so strongly, Alibech had fear, Some day the mark might on her fruit appear. A SMILE her innocence from Rustick drew; Said he, in me you little learning view; But what I've got, I'll readily divide, And nothing from your senses try to hide. THE hermit surely would have acted right; Such pupil to have sent away at sight. He managed otherwise, as we shall state; The consequences, let us now relate.