When she believed that all he told was true;
When every threat was to her mind recall’d,
Till it became affrighten’d and appall’d;
When Reason pleaded, ‘think! forbear! refrain!’ 910}
And when, though trifling, stood that mystic stain, }
Predictions, warnings, threats, were present all in vain. }
Th’ exulting youth a mighty conqueror rose,
And who hereafter shall his will oppose?—
Such is our tale; but we must yet attend }
Our weak, kind widow to her journey’s end; }