And you with honour, in your pride, retire!—
Sir, I your prudence envy and admire.”
But here the father saw the rising frown, 200
And quickly let his lofty spirit down.
“Forgive a parent!—I may well excuse
A girl who could perceive such worth and choose
To make it hers; we must not look to meet }
All we might wish;—Is age itself discreet? }
Where conquest may not be, ’tis prudence to retreat.” }
Then, with the kindness worldly minds assume,