And Absolon had been, had Absolon been chaste. }
Frances, like William, felt her heart incline
To neat attire—but Frances would be fine. 150
Though small the farm, the farmer’s daughter knew
Her rank in life, and she would have it too:
This, and this only, gave the lover pain,
He thought it needless, and he judged it vain.
Advice in hints he to the fault applied,
And talk’d of sin, of vanity, and pride.
“And what is proud,” said Frances, “but to stand