To feelings fond and meditations grave;

Lovely she was, and, if he did not err,

As fond of him as his fond heart of her;

Still he delay’d, unable to decide,

Which was the master-passion, Love or Pride:

He sometimes wonder’d how his friend could make,

And then exulted in, the night’s mistake;

Had she but fortune, “Doubtless then,” he cried,

“Some happier man had won the wealthy bride.”

While thus he hung in balance, now inclined