And conscious truth—What evil in discourse
With one so guarded, who is pleased to trust
Herself with me, reliance strong and just?”
Our lover then believed he must not seem
Cold to the maid who gave him her esteem;
Not manly this; Cecilia had his heart,
But it was lawful with his time to part.
It would be wrong in her to take amiss 330
A virtuous friendship for a girl like this;
False or disloyal he would never prove,