It seem’d to him the writer was distress’d;
Restrain’d! there was attempt and strife to please, 10
Pains and endeavour—not Matilda’s ease—
Not the pure lines of love! the guileless friend
In all her freedom—What could this portend?
“Fancy!” said George, “the self-tormentor’s pain”;—
And Richard still consented to remain.
“Ride you this fair cool morning?” said the squire: }
Do—for a purchase I have made inquire, }
And with you take a will complacently t’admire: }