And looked so like a sin, it pleased the more. The cave was now become a common way, The wicket, often opened, knew the key: Love rioted secure, and, long enjoyed, Was ever eager, and was never cloyed. But as extremes are short, of ill and good, And tides at highest mark regorge the flood; So fate, that could no more improve their joy, Took a malicious pleasure to destroy. Tancred, who fondly loved, and whose delight Was placed in his fair daughter's daily sight, Of custom, when his state affairs were done, Would pass his pleasing hours with her alone; And, as a father's privilege allowed, Without attendance of the officious crowd. It happened once, that when in heat of day He tried to sleep, as was his usual way, The balmy slumber fled his wakeful eyes, And forced him, in his own despite, to rise: Of sleep forsaken, to relieve his care, He sought the conversation of the fair; But with her train of damsels she was gone, In shady walks the scorching heat to shun: He would not violate that sweet recess, And found besides a welcome heaviness, That seized his eyes; and slumber, which forgot When called before to come, now came unsought. From light retired, behind his daughter's bed, He for approaching sleep composed his head; A chair was ready, for that use designed, So quilted, that he lay at ease reclined; The curtains closely drawn, the light to skreen, As if he had contrived to lie unseen: Thus covered with an artificial night, Sleep did his office soon, and sealed his sight. With heaven averse in this ill-omened hour, Was Guiscard summoned to the secret bower, And the fair nymph, with expectation fired, From her attending damsels was retired: For, true to love, she measured time so right, As not to miss one moment of delight. The garden, seated on the level floor, She left behind, and locking every door, Thought all secure; but little did she know, Blind to her fate, she had inclosed her foe. Attending Guiscard, in his leathern frock, Stood ready, with his thrice-repeated knock: Thrice with a doleful sound the jarring grate Rung deaf and hollow, and presaged their fate. The door unlocked, to known delight they haste, And, panting in each other's arms, embraced; Rush to the conscious bed, a mutual freight, And heedless press it with their wonted weight. The sudden bound awaked the sleeping sire, And shewed a sight no parent can desire; His opening eyes at once with odious view The love discovered, and the lover knew: He would have cried; but hoping that he dreamt, Amazement tied his tongue, and stopped the attempt. The ensuing moment all the truth declared, } But now he stood collected, and prepared; } For malice and revenge had put him on his guard. } So like a lion that unheeded lay, } Dissembling sleep, and watchful to betray, } With inward rage he meditates his prey.