And with assiduous love my pleasure sought;

He lived to please me, and I ofttimes strove,

Smiling, to thank his unrequited love:

‘Teach me,’ he cried, ‘that pensive mind to ease,

For all my pleasure is the hope to please.’

Serene though heavy, were the days we spent,

Yet kind each word, and gen’rous each intent;

But his dejection lessen’d every day,

And to a placid kindness died away:

In tranquil ease we pass’d our latter years,