Each, too, in each, where varying most they seem, Found that which fed half envy, half esteem. As stood the Pilgrim of the waste before The stream that parted from the enchanted shore, Though on the opposing margent of the wave Those fairy boughs but _seeming_ fruitage gave; Though his stern manhood in its simple power, If cross'd the barrier, soon had scorn'd the bower; Yet, as some monk, whom holier cloisters shade, Views from afar the glittering cavalcade, And sighs, as sense against his will recalls Fame's knightly lists and Pleasure's festive halls,-- So, while the conscience chid, the charm enchain'd, And the heart envied what the soul disdain'd. While Arden's nature in his friend's could find An untaught force that awed his subtler mind-- Awed, yet allured;--that Eastern calm of eye And mien--a mantle and a majesty, At once concealing all the strife below It shames the pride of lofty hearts to show, And robing Art's lone outlaw with the air Of nameless state the lords of Nature wear;-- This kingly mien contrasting this mean form, This calm exterior with this heart of storm, Touch'd with vague interest, undefined and strange, The world's quick pupil whose career was change. Forth from the crowded streets one summer day, } Rode the new friends; and cool and silent lay } Through shadowy lanes the chance-directed way. } As with slow pace and slacken'd rein they rode, Men's wonted talk to deeper converse flow'd. "Think'st thou," said Arden, "that the Care, whose speed Climbs the tall bark and mounts the flying steed, And (still to quote old Horace) hovers round Our fretted roofs, forbears yon village ground?-- Think'st thou that Toil drives trouble from the door; And does God's sun shine brightest on the Poor?" "I know not," answer'd Morvale, "but I know Each state feels envy for the state below; Kings for their subjects--for the obscure, the great: The smallest circle guards the happiest state. Earth's real wealth is in the heart;--in truth, As life looks brightest in the eyes of youth, So simple wants--the simple state most far From that entangled maze in which we are, Seem unto nations what youth is to man,"-- "'When wild in woods the noble savage ran,'" Said Arden, smiling. "Well, we disagree; Even youth itself reflects no charms for me; And all the shade upon my life bestow'd Spreads from the myrtle which my boyhood sow'd." His bright face fell,--he sigh'd. "And canst thou guess Why all once coveted now fails to bless?-- Why all around me palls upon the eye, And the heart saddens in the summer sky? It is that youth expended life too soon: A morn too glowing sets in storm at noon."