“No more, friend Williams,” said the Elder here,
“No more will we on this grave theme delay;
My hopes were high, and ’twas an object dear
To shed some light on thy benighted way;
But still wilt thou with sinful purpose steer
Thy little bark against the tempest’s sway;
On mayst thou go—I cannot say God speed!
But would thy object were some better deed.
XXXVIII.
“Couldst thou renounce thy purpose here to base