Vain as she was—­and flattery made her vain —
Her simulation gave her bosom pain. 
   Again return’d, the Matron and the Niece
Found the late quiet gave their joy increase;
The aunt infirm, no more her visits paid,
But still with her sojourn’d the favourite maid. 
Letters were sent when franks could be procured,
And when they could not, silence was endured;
All were in health, and if they older grew,
It seem’d a fact that none among them knew;
The aunt and niece still led a pleasant life,
And quiet days had Jonas and his wife. 
   Near him a Widow dwelt of worthy fame,
Like his her manners, and her creed the same;
The wealth her husband left, her care retain’d
For one tall Youth, and widow she remain’d;
His love respectful all her care repaid,
Her wishes watch’d, and her commands obey’d. 
   Sober he was and grave from early youth,
Mindful of forms, but more intent on truth: 
In a light drab he uniformly dress’d,
And look serene th’ unruffled mind express’d;
A hat with ample verge his brows o’erspread,
And his brown locks curl’d graceful on his head;
Yet might observers in his speaking eye
Some observation, some acuteness spy;
The friendly thought it keen, the treacherous deem’d it sly. 
Yet not a crime could foe or friend detect,
His actions all were, like his speech, correct;
And they who jested on a mind so sound,
Upon his virtues must their laughter found;
Chaste, sober, solemn, and devout they named
Him who was thus, and not of this ashamed. 
   Such were the virtues Jonas found in one
In whom he warmly wish’d to find a son: 
Three years had pass’d since he had Sybil seen;
But she was doubtless what she once had been,
Lovely and mild, obedient and discreet;
The pair must love whenever they should meet;
Then ere the widow or her son should choose
Some happier maid, he would explain his views: 
Now she, like him, was politic and shrewd,
With strong desire of lawful gain embued;
To all he said, she bow’d with much respect,
Pleased to comply, yet seeming to reject;
Cool and yet eager, each admired the strength
Of the opponent, and agreed at length: 
As a drawn battle shows to each a force,
Powerful as his, he honours it of course;
So in these neighbours, each the power discern’d,
And gave the praise that was to each return’d. 
   Jonas now ask’d his daughter—­and the Aunt,
Though loth to lose her, was obliged to grant:  —
But would not Sybil to the matron cling,
And fear to leave the shelter of her wing? 
No! in the young there lives a love of change,
And to the easy they prefer the strange! 
Then, too, the joys she once pursued with zeal,
From whist and visits sprung, she ceased to feel: 
When with the matrons Sybil first sat down,
To cut for partners and to stake her crown,
This to the youthful maid preferment seem’d,