—How this outside was pure and different!

The sermon, now—what a mingled weft

Of good and ill! Were either less,

Its fellow had coloured the whole distinctly;

But alas for the excellent earnestness,

And the truths, quite true if stated succinctly,

But as surely false, in their quaint presentment,

However to pastor and flock’s contentment!

Say rather, such truths looked false to your eyes,

With his provings and parallels twisted and twined,