On sea or land, wherever Richard went,
He felt affection, and he found content;
There was in him a strong presiding hope
In Fortune's tempests, and it bore him up:
But when that mystic vine his mansion graced,
When numerous branches round his board were placed,
When sighs of apprehensive love were heard,
Then first the spirit of the hero fear'd;
Then he reflected on the father's part,

And all a husband's sorrow touch'd his heart;
Then thought he, "Who will their assistance lend?
"And be the children's guide, the parent's friend?
"Who shall their guardian, their protector be?
"I have a brother-Well!-and so has he."

And now they met: a message—kind, 'tis true, But verbal only-ask'd an interview; And many a mile, perplex'd by doubt and fear, Had Richard pass'd, unwilling to appear— "How shall I now my unknown way explore, "He proud and rich-I very proud and poor? "Perhaps my friend a dubious speech mistook, "And George may meet me with a stranger's look; "Then to my home when I return again, "How shall I bear this business to explain,

"And tell of hopes raised high, and feelings hurt, in

vain?

"How stands the case? My brother's friend and

mine

"Met at an inn, and sat them down to dine:
"When having settled all their own affairs,
"And kindly canvass'd such as were not theirs,

"Just as my friend was going to retire,
"Stay!-you will see the brother of our squire,'
"Said his companion; be his friend, and tell
"The captain that his brother loves him well,
"And when he has no better thing in view,
"Will be rejoiced to see him-Now, adieu !'

"Well! here I am; and, Brother, take you heed,

"I am not come to flatter you and feed;

"You shall no soother, fawner, hearer find,

"I will not brush your coat, nor smooth your mind;
"I will not hear your tales the whole day long,
"Nor swear you're right if I believe you wrong:
"Nor be a witness of the facts you state,
"Nor as my own adopt your love or hate :
"I will not earn my dinner when I dine,
By taking all your sentiments for mine;
"Nor watch the guiding motions of your eye,
"Before I venture question or reply;

"Nor, when you speak, affect an awe profound,
Sinking my voice, as if I fear'd the sound;
"Nor to your looks obediently attend,

"The poor, the humble, the dependent friend :
"Yet son of that dear mother could I meet-
"But lo! the mansion-'tis a fine old seat!"
The Brothers met, with both too much at heart
To be observant of each other's part;
"Brother, I'm glad," was all that George could say,
Then stretch'd his hand, and turn'd his head away;
For he in tender tears had no delight,

But scorn'd the thought, and ridiculed the sight;

Yet now with pleasure, though with some surprise, He felt his heart o'erflowing at his eyes.

Richard, meantime, made some attempts to speak,
Strong in his purpose, in his trial weak ;
We cannot nature by our wishes rule,
Nor at our will her warm emotions cool :-
At length affection, like a risen tide,

Stood still, and then seem'd slowly to subside;
Each on the other's looks had power to dwell,
And Brother Brother greeted passing well.

THE MORNING WALK

EIGHT days had pass'd: the Brothers now could meet

With ease, and take the customary seat.

"These," said the host, for he perceived where stray'd

His brother's eye, and what he now survey'd ; "These are the costly trifles that we buy, "Urged by the strong demands of vanity, "The thirst and hunger of a mind diseased, "That must with purchased flattery be appeased; "But yet, 'tis true, the things that you behold "Serve to amuse us as we're getting old: "These Pictures, as I heard our artists say, "Are genuine all, and I believe they may; "They cost the genuine sums, and I should grieve "If, being willing, I could not believe.

"Music you find; for hither ladies come ;

'They make infernal uproar in the room.

"I bear it. Why? because I must expect

"To pay for honour, and I fear neglect:

For, as attractions from our person fly,

"Our purses, Richard, must the want supply; "Yet would it vex me could the triflers know "That they can shut out comfort or bestow.

"But see this room: here, Richard, you will find "Books for all palates, food for every mind; "This readers term the ever-new delight, "And so it is, if minds have appetite :

"Mine once was craving; great my joy, indeed,
"Had I possess'd such food when I could feed ;
"When at the call of every new-born wish
"I could have keenly relish'd every dish—
Now, Richard, now I stalk around and look
Upon the dress and title of a book,

66

66

'Try half a page, and then can taste no more,
"But the dull volume to its place restore :
"Begin a second slowly to peruse,

"Then cast it by, and look about for news;
"The news itself grows dull in long debates,—
"I skip, and see what the conclusion states;
"And many a speech, with zeal and study made
"Cold and resisting spirits to persuade,

"Is lost on mine; alone, we cease to feel
"What crowds admire, and wonder at their zeal.

"But how the day? No fairer will it be? "Walk you? Alas! 'tis requisite for me— "Nay, let me not prescribe-my friends and guests are free."

It was a fair and mild autumnal sky,

And earth's ripe treasures met th' admiring eye. The wet and heavy grass, where feet had stray'd, Not yet erect, the wanderer's way betray'd;