"Why not agree? he thought the young divine "Had no such strictness-they might drink and dine; "For them sufficient-but he said before, "That truth was truth, and he would drink no more." This heard the 'Squire with mix'd contempt and pain ; He fear'd the priest this recreant sot would gain. The favourite nymph, though not a convert made, Conceived the man she scorn'd her cause would aid; And when the spirits of her lord were low, The lass presumed the wicked cause to show : "It was the wretched life his Honour led, "And would draw vengeance on his guilty head; "Their loves (Heav'n knew how dreadfully distress'd "The thought had made her!) were as yet unbless'd : "And till the church had sanction'd'Here she saw The wrath that forced her trembling to withdraw. Add to these outward ills, some inward light, That show'd him all was not correct and right: Though now he less indulged-and to the poor, From day to day, sent alms from door to door; Though he some ease from easy virtues found, Yet conscience told him he could not compound; VOL. V. I But must himself the darling sin deny, Change the whole heart-but here a heavy sigh Proclaim'd, "How vast the toil! and ah! how weak am I!" James too has trouble-he divided sees Though zealous still, yet he begins to feel Against the blunders of conceit to guard; He sighs to hear the jests his converts cause, He cannot give their erring zeal applause; But finds it inconsistent to condemn The flights and follies he has nursed in them: These, in opposing minds, contempt produce, Or mirth occasion, or provoke abuse; On each momentous theme disgrace they bring, And give to Scorn her poison and her sting. TALE XVI. THE CONFIDANT. Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy, Othello, Act III. Scene 3. Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks, 1 Henry IV. Act II. Scene 3. It is excellent To have a giant's strength, but tyrannous Measure for Measure, Act II. Scene 2. |