In a light humour, talking at his ease.

Familiar grown, he was disposed to tell

Of times long past, and what in them befell—

Not of his life their wonder to attract,

But the choice tale, or insulated fact. 580

Then, as it seem’d, he had acquired a right

To hear what they could from their stores recite.

Their lives, they said, were all of common kind;

He could no pleasure in such trifles find.

They had an Uncle—’tis their father’s tale—