"Not till exterior freedom, spirit, ease, "This is severe !-Oh! maiden, wilt not thou Something for habits, manners, modes, allow?""Yes! but allowing much, I much require, "In my behalf, for manners, modes, attire!" "True, lovely Sybil; and, this point agreed, "Let me to those of greater weight proceed: Thy father!""Nay," she quickly interposed, "Good doctor, here our conference is closed!" Then left the Youth, who, lost in his retreat, Pass'd the good matron on her garden-seat; His looks were troubled, and his air, once mild And calm, was hurried: :- "My audacious child!" Exclaim'd the dame, "I read what she has done "In thy displeasure-Ah! the thoughtless one: "But yet, Josiah, to my stern good man 66 Speak of the maid as mildly as you can: "Can you not seem to woo a little while "The daughter's will, the father to beguile? "So that his wrath in time may wear away; "Will you preserve our peace, Josiah? say." "Yes! my good neighbour," said the gentle youth, Rely securely on my care and truth; "And should thy comfort with my efforts cease; "And only then,-perpetual is thy peace." The dame had doubts: she well his virtues knew, His deeds were friendly, and his words were true; "But to address this vixen is a task "He is ashamed to take, and I to ask.” Soon as the father from Josiah learn'd What pass'd with Sybil, he the truth discern'd. "He loves," the man exclaim'd," he loves, 'tis plain, "The thoughtless girl, and shall he love in vain? "She may be stubborn, but she shall be tried, "Born as she is of wilfulness and pride." With anger fraught, but willing to persuade, The wrathful father met the smiling maid: Sybil," said he, "I long, and yet I dread "To know thy conduct-hath Josiah fled? "And, grieved and fretted by thy scornful air, "For his lost peace, betaken him to prayer? "Couldst thou his pure and modest mind distress, "By vile remarks upon his speech, address, "Attire, and voice?"- "All this I must confess.""Unhappy child! what labour will it cost "To win him back!"- "I do not think him lost." "Courts he then, (trifler!) insult and disdain ?". "No: but from these he courts me to refrain? "Then hear me, Sybil-should Josiah leave "Thy father's house?"-" My father's child would grieve:" "That is of grace, and if he come again To speak of love?"—"I might from grief refrain." "Then wilt thou, daughter, our design embrace?”. "Can I resist it, if it be of grace?" "Dear child! in three plain words thy mind ex press "Wilt thou have this good youth?"—"Dear father! yes." (1) (1) ["The Frank Courtship" is rather in the merry vein; and contains even less than Mr. Crabbe's usual moderate allowance of incident. The whole of the story is, that the daughter of a rigid Quaker, having been educated from home, conceives a slight prejudice against the ungallant manners of the sect, and is prepared to be very contemptuous and uncomplying when her father proposes a sober youth of the persuasion for a husband; but is so much struck with the beauty of his person, and the cheerful reasonableness of his deportment, at their first interview, that she instantly yields her consent. There is an excellent description of the father, and the unbending elders of his tribe; and some fine traits of natural coquetry. - JEFFREY.] TALE VII. THE WIDOW'S TALE. Ah me! for aught that I could ever read, Or ever hear by tale or history, The course of true love never did run smooth ; Or else misgrafted in respect of years, Or else it stood upon the choice of friends; Midsummer Night's Dream. Oh! thou didst then ne'er love so heartily, That ever love did make thee run into. - As You Like It. Cry the man mercy; love him, take his offer. - As You Like It. |