The mid-day hours with desultory talk;

From trivial themes to general argument

Passing, as accident or fancy led,

Or courtesy prescribed. While question rose

And answer flowed, the fetters of reserve

Dropping from every mind, the Solitary[800]

Resumed the manners of his happier days;

And[801] in the various conversation bore

A willing, nay,[802] at times, a forward part;

Yet with the grace of one who in the world