And should thy comfort with my efforts cease,
And only then, - perpetual is thy peace.”
The dame had doubts: she well his virtues knew,
His deeds were friendly, and his words were true:
“But to address this vixen is a task
He is ashamed to take, and I to ask.”
Soon as the father from Josiah learn’d
What pass’d with Sybil, he the truth discern’d.
“He loves,” the man exclaim’d, “he loves, ’tis plain,
The thoughtless girl, and shall he love in vain?