"While the salt spray that clashing billows form, "Gave to the taste a feeling of the storm. "Thus, with my favourite views, for many an hour "Have I indulged the dreams of princely power; "When the mind, wearied by excursions bold, "The fancy jaded, and the bosom cold, "Or when those wants, that will on kings intrude, "Or evening-fears, broke in on solitude; "When I no more my fancy could employ, "I left in haste what I could not enjoy, "And was my gentle mother's welcome boy. "But now thy walk,—this soft autumnal gloom "Bids no delay-at night I will resume “My, subject, showing, not how I improved "In my strange school, but what the things I loved, 66 My first-born friendships, ties by forms uncheck'd, "And all that boys acquire whom men neglect." Richard resumes his Narrative-Visits a Family in a Seaport-The Man and his Wife-Their Dwelling-Books, Number and Kind-The Friendship contracted-Employment there-Hannah, the Wife, her Manner; open Mirth and latent Grief-She gives the Story of Ruth, her Daughter-Of Thomas, a Sailor-Their Affection-A Press-gang-Reflections-Ruth disturbed in Mind-A Teacher sent to comfort her-His Fondness-Her Reception of him-Her Supplication-Is refused-She deliberates-Is decided. TALES OF THE HALL. BOOK V. RUTH. RICHARD Would wait till George the tale should ask, Nor waited long-He then resumed the task. "South in the port, and eastward in the street, "Rose a small dwelling, my beloved retreat, "Where lived a pair, then old; the sons had fled "The home they fill'd: a part of them were dead; "Married a part; while some at sea remain'd, "And stillness in the seaman's mansion reign'd; "Lord of some petty craft, by night and day, "The man had fish'd each fathom of the bay. 66 My friend the matron woo'd me, quickly won, "To fill the station of an absent son; "(Him whom at school I knew, and Peter known, "I took his home and mother for my own): |