A stranger join'd them, courteous as a friend.

And ask'd them with a kind engaging air

What their affliction was, and begg'd a share.

Inform'd, he gather'd up the broken thread,

And truth and wisdom gracing all he said,

Explain'd, illustrated, and search'd so well

The tender theme on which they chose to dwell

That, reaching home, the night, they said is near,

We must not now be parted, sojourn here.

The new acquaintance, soon became a guest