And half before my books, with cravings pale

For church and stole and sermons of my own.

VII.

Then was it Elbert’s friendship further’d me.

For finding me, and staring at my face,

And books, and cassock—when the puzzle pass’d,—

He, humbling to my humor, praised the priest

And all the powers of priesthood, till delight

Relax’d the rigor of my rôle; and then

He wedged the wisdom of his own desire