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 express:
Wilt thou have this good youth?"--"Dear Father! yes."



TALE VII.