Then, with cool curtesy, from the room withdrew, That seem'd to say, "Unhappy man, adieu!"

Thus will it be when man permits a vice
First to invade his heart, and then entice;
When wishes vain and undefined arise,
And that weak heart deceive, seduce, surprise;
When evil Fortune works on Folly's side,
And rash Resentment adds a spur to Pride;

Then life's long troubles from those actions come,
In which a moment may decide our doom.

TALES OF THE HALL.

BOOK XIV.

The Rector of the Parish-His Manner of teaching-Of livingRichard's Correspondence-The Letters received-Love that survives Marriage—That dies in consequence―That is permitted to die for Want of Care-Henry and Emma, a DialogueComplaints on either Side-And Replies-Mutual Accusation -Defence of acknowledged Error-Means of restoring Happiness-The one to be adopted.

TALES OF THE HALL.

BOOK XIV.

THE NATURAL DEATH OF LOVE.

RICHARD one month had with his Brother been,
And had his guests, his friends, his favourites seen;
Had heard the Rector, who with decent force,
But not of action, aided his discourse:

"A moral teacher!" some, contemptuous, cried;
He smiled, but nothing of the fact denied,
Nor, save by his fair life, to charge so strong replied.
Still, though he bade them not on aught rely
That was their own, but all their worth deny,
They call'd his pure advice his cold morality;
And though he felt that earnestness and zeal,
That made some portion of his hearers feel,
Nay, though he loved the minds of men to lead
To the great points that form the Christian's creed,