The Rector at the Hall-Why absent-He relates the Story of Sir Owen-His Marriage-Death of his Lady-His Mind acquires new Energy-His Passions awake-His Taste and Sensibility-Admires a Lady-Camilla-Her Purpose-Sir Owen's Disappointment-His Spirit of Revenge-How gratified—The Dilemma of Love-An Example of Forgiveness-Its Effect. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK XII. SIR OWEN DALE. AGAIN the Brothers saw their friend the Priest, Who shared the comforts he so much increased; Absent of late-and thus the Squire address'd, With welcome smile, his ancient friend and guest. "What has detain'd thee? some parochial case? "Some man's desertion, or some maid's disgrace? "Or wert thou call'd, as parish priest, to give "Name to a new-born thing that would not live, "That its weak glance upon the world had thrown, "And shrank in terror from the prospect shown? "Or hast thou heard some dying wretch deplore, "That of his pleasures he could taste no more? VOL. II. I "Who wish'd thy aid his spirits to sustain, "Or was thy business of the carnal sort, My friend, perhaps, is sway'd, by hope or fear, "And all a patriot's wishes, forth to ride, "And hunt for votes to prop the fav'rite side?" "More private duty called me hence, to pay My friends respect on a rejoicing day," Replied the Rector: "there is born a son, "Pride of an ancient race, who pray'd for one, "And long desponded. Would you hear the tale"Ask, and 'tis granted-of Sir Owen Dale?" "Grant," said the Brothers, " for we humbly ask; "Ours be the gratitude, and thine the task: "Yet dine we first: then to this tale of thine, "As to thy sermon, seriously incline: "In neither case our rector shall complain, "Of this recited, that composed in vain. |