"And that vile scoundrel

"Nay, his name restore,

"And call him Cecil,-for he is no more:
"When my vain help was offer'd, he was past
"All human aid, and shortly breathed his last;
"But his heart open'd, and he lived to see
"Guilt in himself, and find a friend in me.

"Strange was their parting, parting on the day "I offer'd help, and took the man away, "Sure not to meet again, and not to live "And taste of joy-He feebly cried, 'Forgive! "I have thy guilt, thou mine, but now adieu! 66 6 Tempters and tempted! what will thence ensue "I know not, dare not think!'-He said, and he withdrew."

"But, Ellis, tell me, didst thou thus desire
"To heap upon their heads those coals of fire?”

"If fire to melt, that feeling is confest,-
"If fire to shame, I let that question rest;
"But if aught more the sacred words imply,
"I know it not-no commentator I."

"Then did you freely from your soul forgive?"--

"Sure as I hope before my Judge to live,
"Sure as I trust his mercy to receive,
"Sure as his word I honour and believe,

"Sure as the Saviour died upon the tree

"For all who sin,-for that dear wretch and me,— "Whom never more on earth will I forsake or see.”

Sir Owen softly to his bed adjourn'd,
Sir Owen quickly to his home return'd;
And all the way he meditating dwelt
On what this man in his affliction felt;
How he, resenting first, forbore, forgave,
His passion's lord, and not his anger's slave:
And as he rode he seem'd to fear the deed
Should not be done, and urged unwonted speed.

Arrived at home, he scorn'd the change to hide,
Nor would indulge a mean and selfish pride,
That would some little at a time recal

Th' avenging vow; he now was frankness all:

He saw his nephew, and with kindness spoke— "Charles, I repent my purpose, and revoke, "Take her-I'm taught, and would I could repay "The generous teacher; hear me, and obey:

Bring me the dear coquette, and let me vow "On lips half perjured to be passive now:

"Take her, and let me thank the powers divine "She was not stolen when her hand was mine, "Or when her heart-Her smiles I must forget, "She my revenge, and cancel either debt."

Here ends our tale, for who will doubt the bliss
Of ardent lovers in a case like this?
And if Sir Owen's was not half so strong,
It may, perchance, continue twice as long.

TALES OF THE HALL.

BOOK XIII.