Then, I must lose her; but, by slow degrees,
She will regain her peace, and I my ease.”
Ah! foolish man! to virtue true nor vice,
He buys distress, and self-esteem the price;
And what his gain?—a tender smile and sigh
From a fond girl to feed his vanity.
Thus, every day they lived, and every time
They met, increased his anguish and his crime. 500
Still in their meetings they were ofttimes nigh
The darling theme, and then past trembling by;