That truth improves, and virtue ne’er restrains.
In evil hour th’ officious tongue of fame
Betrayed the secret of their mutual flame.
With grief and anger struggling in his breast,
Palemon’s father heard the tale confest;
Long had he listened with Suspicion’s ear,
And learnt, sagacious, this event to fear.
Too well, fair youth! thy liberal heart he knew,
A heart to Nature’s warm impressions true:
Full oft his wisdom strove with fruitless toil