This earth for perfection to seek.
For all men are for gaining;
Gold by some means obtaining;
Their covetous wishes not once e'er restraining.
Frail mortals, alas, are so weak!"——
Much more he had said, but a touch on the shoulder
Made the blood through each vein run more sluggish and colder.
But starting and turning with well-feigned surprise,
Saw reflected his face in the Abbot's dark eyes.
Then a bow, long and low, to his rev'rence he made—