With that small brook beneath, where he would stand,

And stooping fill the hollow of his hand
To quench th' impatient thirst-then stop
awhile

To see the sun upon the waters smile,
In that sweet weariness, when, long denied,
We drink and view the fountain that supplied
The sparkling bliss-and feel, if not express,
Our perfect ease in that sweet weariness.

The oaks yet flourish'd in that fertile ground, Where still the church with lofty tower was found;

And still that Hall, a first, a favourite view, But not the elms that form'd its avenue; They fell ere George arrived, or yet had stood, For he in reverence held the living wood, That widely spreads in earth the deepening root,

And lifts to heaven the still aspiring shoot; From age to age they fill'd a growing space, But hid the mansion they were meant to grace.

It was an ancient, venerable hall, And once surrounded by a moat and wall; A part was added by a squire of taste, Who, while unvalued acres ran to waste, Made spacious rooms, whence he could look about,

The Hall at Binning!-how he loves the gloom That sun-excluding window gives the room; Those broad brown stairs on which he loves to tread ;

Those beams within; without, that length of lead,

On which the names of wanton boys appear, Who died old men, and left memorials here, Carvings of feet and hands, and knots and flowers,

The fruits of busy minds in idle hours.

Here, while our squire the modern part possess'd,

His partial eye upon the old would rest; That best his comforts gave—this sooth'd his feelings best.

Here day by day, withdrawn from busy life, No child t' awake him, to engage no wife, When friends were absent, not to books inclined,

He found a sadness steal upon his mind; Sighing, the works of former lords to see, 'I follow them,' he cried, but who will follow me?'

Some ancient men whom he a boy had known

He knew again, their changes were his own; Comparing now he view'd them, and he felt That time with him in lenient mood had dealt;

out:

He fill'd the moat, he took the wall away, He thinn'd the park, and bade the view be gay:

The scene was rich, but he who should behold
Its worth was poor, and so the whole was sold.
Just then our merchant from his desk
retired,

And made the purchase that his heart desired;
The Hall of Binning, his delight a boy,
That gave his fancy in her flight employ ;
Here, from his father's modest home, hegazed,
Its grandeur charm'd him, and its height
amazed:

Work of past ages; and the brick-built place
Where he resided was in much disgrace;
But never in his fancy's proudest dream
Did he the master of that mansion seem:
Young was he then, and little did he know
What years on care and diligence bestow;
Now young no more, retired to views well

known,

He finds that object of his awe his own;

bore

That he was doubtful if he saw before,
And some in memory lived, whom he must

see no more.

Here George had found, yet scarcely hoped to find,

Companions meet, minds fitted to his mind;
Here, late and loth, the worthy rector came,
From college dinners and a fellow's fame;
Yet, here when fix'd, was happy to behold
So near a neighbour in a friend so old:
Boys on one form they parted, now to meet
In equal state, their worships on one seat.

Here were a sister-pair, who seem'd to live With more respect than affluence can give ; Although not affluent, they, by nature graced, Had sense and virtue, dignity and taste; Their minds by sorrows, by misfortunes tried, Were vex'd and heal'd, were pain'd and purified.

Hither a sage physician came, and plann'd, With books his guides, improvements on his land;

Nor less to mind than matter would he give His noble thoughts, to know how spirits live And what is spirit; him his friends advised To think with fear, but caution he despised, And hints of fear provoked him till he dared Beyond himself, nor bold assertion spared But fiercely spoke, like those who strongly feel,

'Priests and their craft, enthusiasts and their zeal.'

More yet appear'd, of whom as we proceed

Ah! yield not yet to languor-you shall read. But ere the events that from this meeting

rose,

Be they of pain or pleasure, we disclose,
It is of custom, doubtless is of use,
That we our heroes first should introduce.
Come, then, fair Truth! and let me clearly

see

The minds I paint, as they are seen in thee; To me their merits and their faults impart; Give me to say, 'frail being! such thou art,'

And closely let me view the naked human heart.

George loved to think; but as he late began

George loved the cause of freedom, but reproved

All who with wild and boyish ardour loved; Those who believed they never could be free,

Except when fighting for their liberty;
Who by their very clamour and complaint
Invite coercion or enforce restraint:
He thought a trust so great, so good a cause,
Was only to be kept by guarding laws;
For public blessings firmly to secure,
We must a lessening of the good endure.
The public waters are to none denied,
All drink the stream, but only few must guide;
There must be reservoirs to hold supply,
And channels form'd to send the blessing by;
The public good must be a private care,
None all they would may have, but all a share:
So we must freedom with restraint enjoy,
What crowds possess they will, uncheck'd,
destroy;

And hence, that freedom may to all be dealt,
Guards must be fix'd, and safety must be felt.
So thought our squire, nor wish'd the guards
t' appear

So strong, that safety might be bought too dear;

The constitution was the ark that he

Of his religion, and he found it true;
Firmly, yet meekly, he his mind applied
To this great subject, and was satisfied.

He then proceeded, not so much intent, But still in earnest, and to church he went: Although they found some difference in their creed,

He and his pastor cordially agreed; Convinced that they who would the truth obtain

By disputation, find their efforts vain; The church he view'd as liberal minds will view,

And there he fix'd his principles and pew. He saw, he thought he saw, ,how weakness, pride,

And habit, draw seceding crowds aside : Weakness that loves on trifling points to dwell,

Pride that at first from Heaven's own worship fell,

And habit, going where it went before,

Or to the meeting or the tavern door.

Nor would expose it, as th' accursed son
His father's weakness, to be gazed upon.

I for that freedom make, said he, my prayer, That suits with all, like atmospheric air; That is to mortal man by heaven assign'd, Who cannot bear a pure and perfect kind : The lighter gas, that, taken in the frame, The spirit heats, and sets the blood in flame, Such is the freedom which when men approve, They know not what a dangerous thing they love.

George chose the company of men of sense, But could with wit in moderate share dispense;

He wish'd in social ease his friends to meet, When still he thought the female accent

sweet;

Well from the ancient, better from the young, He loved the lispings of the mother tongue.

He ate and drank, as much as men who

think

Of life's best pleasures, ought to eat or drink; Men purely temperate might have taken less, But still he loved indulgence, not excess;

Nor would alone the grants of fortune taste, But shared the wealth he judged it crime to waste,

And thus obtain'd the sure reward of care; For none can spend like him who learns to spare.

appear

By nature shrewd-sarcastic and severe; Still he was one whom those who fully knew Esteem'd and trusted, one correct and true; All on his word with surety might depend, Kind as a man, and faithful as a friend: But him the many know not, knew not cause In their new squire for censure or applause; Ask them, 'Who dwelt within that lofty wall ? '

And they would say,' the gentleman was tall; Look'd old when follow'd, but alert when met, And had some vigour in his movements yet; He stoops, but not as one infirm; and wears Dress that becomes his station and his years.' Such was the man who from the world return'd,

But had more youthful ardour to be free,
And stronger fears for injured liberty:
With him, on various questions that arose,
The monarch's servants were the people's
foes;

And though he fought with all a Briton's zeal,
He felt for France as Freedom's children feel;
Went far with her in what she thought reform,
And hail'd the revolutionary storm;
Yet would not here, where there was least to
win,

And most to lose, the doubtful work begin;
But look'd on change with some religious fear,
And cried, with filial dread, Ah! come not
here.'

6

His friends he did not as the thoughtful choose;

spurn'd;

But came and sat him in his village down,
Safe from its smile, and careless of its frown:
He, fairly looking into life's account,
Saw frowns and favours were of like amount;
And viewing all-his perils, prospects, purse,
He said, 'Content! 'tis well it is no worse.'
Through ways more rough had fortune
RICHARD led,

The world he traversed was the book he read;
Hence clashing notions and opinions strange
Lodged in his mind; all liable to change.

By nature generous, open, daring, free, The vice he hated was hypocrisy : Religious notions, in her latter years, His mother gave, admonish'd by her fears; To these he added, as he chanced to read A pious work or learn a christian creed: He heard the preacher by the highway side, The church's teacher, and the meeting's guide; And mixing all their matters in his brain, Distill'd a something he could ill explain; But still it served him for his daily use, And kept his lively passions from abuse; For he believed, and held in reverence high, The truth so dear to man-'not all shall die.' The minor portions of his creed hung loose, For time to shapen and an whole produce;

Frankly he join'd the free, nor suffer'd pride Or doubt to part them, whom their fate allied; Men with such minds at once each other aid, Frankness,' they cry, 'with frankness is repaid;

If honest, why suspect? if poor, of what afraid?

Wealth's timid votaries may with caution move,

Be it our wisdom to confide and love.' So pleasures came, (not purchased first or plann'd,)

But the chance pleasures that the poor command;

They came but seldom, they remain❜d not long,

Nor gave him time to question are they wrong?'

These he enjoy'd, and left to after time
To judge the folly or decide the crime;
Sure had he been, he had perhaps been pure
From this reproach-but Richard was not

sure

Yet from the sordid vice, the mean, the base, He stood aloof-death frown'd not like disgrace.

With handsome figure, and with manly air, He pleased the sex, who all to him were fair;

With filial love he look'd on forms decay'd,
And admiration's debt to beauty paid;
On sea or land, wherever Richard went,
He felt affection, and he found content;
There was in him a strong presiding hope
In fortune's tempests, and it bore him up:
But when that mystic vine his mansion graced,
When numerous branches round his board

were placed,

When sighs of apprehensive love were heard
Then first the spirit of the hero fear'd;
Then he reflected on the father's part,
And all an husband's sorrow touch'd his heart;
Then thought he,' Who will their assistance
lend?

And be the children's guide, the parent's friend ?

Who shall their guardian, their protector be? I have a brother-Well!-and so has he.' And now they met a message-kind, 'tis true,

But verbal only-ask'd an interview; And many a mile, perplex'd by doubt and fear,

Had Richard past, unwilling to appearHow shall I now my unknown way explore, He proud and rich-I very proud and poor? Perhaps my friend a dubious speech mistook, And George may meet me with a stranger's look;

Then to my home when I return again, How shall I bear this business to explain, And tell of hopes raised high, and feelings hurt, in vain ?

'How stands the case? My brother's friend

And when he has no better thing in view, Will be rejoiced to see him-Now, adieu!" 'Well! here I am; and, Brother, take you

heed,

I am not come to flatter you and feed;
You shall no soother, fawner, hearer find,
I will not brush your coat, nor smooth your
mind;

I will not hear your tales the whole day long,
Nor swear you're right if I believe you wrong:
Nor be a witness of the facts you state,
Nor as my own adopt your love or hate :
I will not earn my dinner when I dine,
By taking all your sentiments for mine;
Nor watch the guiding motions of your eye,
Before I venture question or reply;
Nor when you speak affect an awe profound,
Sinking my voice, as if I fear'd the sound;
Nor to your looks obediently attend,
The poor, the humble, the dependant friend :
Yet son of that dear mother could I meet-
But lo! the mansion-'tis a fine old seat!'
The Brothers met, with both too much at

For he in tender tears had no delight, But scorn'd the thought, and ridiculed the sight;

Yet now with pleasure, though with some surprise,

He felt his heart o'erflowing at his eyes. Richard, mean time, made some attempts to speak,

Strong in his purpose, in his trial weak;
We cannot nature by our wishes rule,
Nor at our will her warm emotions cool ;-
At length affection, like a risen tide,
Stood still, and then seem'd slowly to subside;
Each on the other's looks had power to dwell,
And Brother Brother greeted passing well.

-The Master.

Ar length the Brothers met, no longer tried By those strong feelings that in time subside; Not fluent yet their language, but the eye And action spoke both question and reply; Till the heart rested, and could calmly feel, Till the shook compass felt the settling steel; Till playful smiles on graver converse broke, And either speaker less abruptly spoke : Still was there ofttimes silence, silence blest, Expressive, thoughtful-their emotions' rest; Pauses that came not from a want of thought, But want of ease, by wearied passion sought; For souls, when hurried by such powerful force,

Rest, and retrace the pleasure of the course. They differ'd much; yet might observers

trace

Likeness of features both in mind and face; Pride they possess'd, that neither strove to hide,

But not offensive, not obtrusive pride: Unlike had been their life, unlike the fruits, Of different tempers, studies, and pursuits; Nay, in such varying scenes the men had moved,

'Twas passing strange that aught alike they

loved :

But all distinction now was thrown apart, While these strong feelings ruled in either heart.

As various colours in a painted ball,
While it has rest, are seen distinctly all;
Till, whirl'd around by some exterior force,
They all are blended in the rapid course:
So in repose, and not by passion sway'd,
We saw the difference by their habits made;
But, tried by strong emotions, they became
Fill'd with one love, and were in heart the

same;

Joy to the face its own expression sent,
And gave a likeness in the looks it lent.

All now was sober certainty; the joy That no strong passions swell till they destroy:

George in his brother felt a growing pride, He wonder'd who that fertile mind supplied'Where could the wanderer gather on his road

Knowledge so various? how the mind this food?

No college train'd him, guideless through his life, Without a friend-not so! he has a wife. had I married, I might now have seen

Ah! MyThat

-No! it never, never could have been:
long enchantment, that pernicious
state !-

True, I recover'd, but alas! too late-
And here is Richard, poor indeed-but-nay!
This is self-torment-foolish thoughts, away!"
Ease leads to habit, as success to ease,
He lives by rule who lives himself to please;
For change is trouble, and a man of wealth
Consults his quiet as he guards his health;
And habit now on George had sovereign power,
His actions all had their accustom'd hour:
At the fix'd time he slept, he walk'd, he read,
Or sought his grounds, his gruel, and his bed;
For every season he with caution dress'd,
And morn and eve had the appropriate vest;
He talk'd of early mists, and night's cold
air,

And in one spot was fix'd his worship's chair.

But not a custom yet on Richard's mind Had force, or him to certain modes confined; To him no joy such frequent visits paid, That habit by its beaten track was made: He was not one who at his ease could say, 'We'll live to-morrow as we lived to-day; But he and his were as the ravens fed, As the day came it brought the daily bread. George, born to fortune, though of moder

ate kind,

Was not in haste his road through life to find:
His father early lost, his mother tried
To live without him, liked it not, and-sigh'd,
When, for her widow'd hand, an amorous
youth applied:

She still was young, and felt that she could

share

A lover's passion, and an husband's care;