‘Now, while she’s changing,’ said the Dean, ‘Her bridal for her travelling dress, I’ll preach allegiance to your queen! Preaching’s the thing which I profess; And one more minute’s mine! You know I’ve paid my girl a father’s debt, And this last charge is all I owe. She’s yours; but I love more than yet You can; such fondness only wakes When time has raised the heart above The prejudice of youth, which makes Beauty conditional to love. Prepare to meet the weak alarms Of novel nearness; recollect The eye which magnified her charms Is microscopic for defect. Fear comes at first; but soon, rejoiced, You’ll find your strong and tender loves, Like holy rocks by Druids poised, The least force shakes, but none removes. Her strength is your esteem; beware Of finding fault; her will’s unnerv’d By blame; from you ’twould be despair; But praise that is not quite deserv’d Will all her noble nature move To make your utmost wishes tree. Yet think, while mending thus your Love, Of snatching her ideal too. The death of nuptial joy is sloth: To keep your mistress in your wife, Keep to the very height your oath, And honour her with arduous life. Lastly, no personal reverence doff. Life’s all externals unto those Who pluck the blushing petals off, To find the secret of the rose.— How long she’s tarrying! Green’s Hotel I’m sure you’ll like. The charge is fair, The wines good. I remember well I stay’d once, with her Mother, there. A tender conscience of her vow That Mother had! She’s so like her!’ But Mrs. Fife, much flurried, now Whisper’d, ‘Miss Honor’s ready, Sir.’ 4 Whirl’d off at last, for speech I sought, To keep shy Love in countenance, But, whilst I vainly tax’d my thought, Her voice deliver’d mime from trance: ‘Look, is not this a pretty shawl, Aunt’s parting gift.’ ‘She’s always kind.’ ‘The new wing spoils Sir John’s old Hall: You’ll see it, if you pull the blind.’ 5 I drew the silk: in heaven the night Was dawning; lovely Venus shone, In languishment of tearful light, Swathed by the red breath of the sun. CANTO XII. Husband and Wife. PRELUDES. I. _The Married Lover_.