Still, he effected something—and that skill

Made the love wretched, though it could not kill; 230

And Robert fail’d, though much he tried, to prove

He had no guilt—She granted he had love.

Thus they proceeded, till a winter came,

When the stern keeper told of stolen game.

Throughout the woods the poaching dogs had been;

And from him nothing should the robbers screen,

From him and law—he would all hazards run,

Nor spare a poacher, were his brother one—