Compelled himself to virtuous thoughts and just,

And as it were in ashes and in dust

Abhorred his thought. But living thus alone,

Of solitary tedium weary grown;

From sweet society so long debarred,

And fearing in his judgment to be hard

On her—that he was sometimes off his guard

What wonder? She relentless still pursued

Unmarked, and tracked him in his solitude.

And not in vain, alas!