Can I appear; but, love! to thee I can:
Who first shall die’—I wept, but—‘I agree }
To all thou say’st, dear Richard! and would be }
The first to wing my way, and bring my news to thee.’ }
“Long we conversed, but not till we perceived
A gathering gloom—Our freedom gain’d, we grieved;
Above the vulgar, as we judged, in mind,
Below in peace, more sad as more refined; 540
’Twas joy, ’twas sin—Offenders at the time,
We felt the hurried pleasure of our crime