Ph.I’ll tell thee: and thou must know
First, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—
My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—
And in those early days loved her, whom he
Should at this time have married. Five years spent
In graceless life meanwhile had far removed
My heart from my first love, nor had my thought
Once ventured back to think or wish her mine:
But, as it happened,—and being at the time
Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,—