Charles, too, his growing passion could defend—
His father’s foe he call’d his mother’s friend.
Mothers, indeed, he knew were ever kind;
But in the Captain should he favour find? 60
He doubted this—yet could he that command
Which fathers love, and few its power withstand.
The mothers both agreed their joint request
Should to the Captain jointly be address’d;
And first the lover should his heart assail, }
And then the ladies, and, if all should fail, }