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TALE XV.

THE 'SQUIRE AND THE PRIEST.

A WEALTHY Lord of far-extended land
Had all that pleased him placed at his command;
Widow'd of late, but finding much relief
In the world's comforts, he dismiss'd his grief;
He was by marriage of his daughters eased,
And knew his sons could marry if they pleased;
Meantime in travel he indulged the boys,
And kept no spy nor partner of his joys.

These joys, indeed, were of the grosser kind, That fed the cravings of an earthly mind; A mind that, conscious of its own excess, Felt the reproach his neighbours would express. Long at th' indulgent board he loved to sit, Where joy was laughter, and profaneness wit; And such the guest and manners of the Hall, No wedded lady on the 'Squire would call: Here reign'd a Favourite, and her triumph gain'd O'er other favourites who before had reign'd;

Reserved and modest seem'd the nymph to be,
Knowing her lord was charm'd with modesty;
For he, a sportsman keen, the more enjoy'd,
The greater value had the thing destroy'd.

Our 'Squire declared, that, from a wife released, He would no more give trouble to a Priest; Seem'd it not, then, ungrateful and unkind, That he should trouble from the priesthood find? The Church he honour'd, and he gave the due And full respect to every son he knew; But envied those who had the luck to meet A gentle pastor, civil, and discreet; Who never bold and hostile sermon penn'd, To wound a sinner, or to shame a friend; One whom no being either shunn'd or fear'd, Such must be loved wherever they appear'd.

Not such the stern old Rector of the time, Who soothed no culprit, and who spared no crime; Who would his fears and his contempt express For irreligion and licentiousness;

Of him our Village Lord, his guests among,

By speech vindictive proved his feelings stung.

"Were he a bigot," said the 'Squire, "whose zeal "Condemn'd us all, I should disdain to feel: “But when a man of parts, in college train'd, "Prates of our conduct—who would not be pain'd? "While he declaims (where no one dares reply) "On men abandon'd, grov'ling in the sty

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(Like beasts in human shape) of shameless luxury.

"Yet with a patriot's zeal I stand the shock "Of vile rebuke, example to his flock: "But let this Rector, thus severe and proud, "Change his wide surplice for a narrow shroud, "And I will place within his seat a youth, "Train'd by the Graces to explain the Truth; "Then shall the flock with gentle hand be led, 'By wisdom won, and by compassion fed."

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This purposed Teacher was a sister's son,
Who of her children gave the priesthood one;
And she had early train'd for this employ
The pliant talents of her college-boy:
At various times her letters painted all

Her brother's views - the manners of the Hall;
The rector's harshness, and the mischief made
By chiding those whom preachers should persuade:
This led the youth to views of easy life,

A friendly patron, an obliging wife;

His tithe, his glebe, the garden and the steed,
With books as many as he wish'd to read.

All this accorded with the Uncle's will;
He loved a priest compliant, easy, still;
Sums he had often to his favourite sent,
"To be," he wrote, " in manly freedom spent;
"For well it pleased his spirit to assist

"An honest lad, who scorn'd a Methodist:"
His mother, too, in her maternal care,
Bade him of canting hypocrites beware;
Who from his duties would his heart seduce,

Soon must a trial of his worth be made

The ancient priest is to the tomb convey'd ;
And the Youth summon'd from a serious friend,
His guide and host, new duties to attend.

Three months before, the nephew and the 'Squire

Saw mutual worth to praise and to admire;
And though the one too early left his wine,
The other still exclaim'd-

"My boy will shine: "Yes, I perceive that he will soon improve, "And I shall form the very guide I love; "Decent abroad, he will my name defend, "And when at home, be social and unbend."

The plan was specious, for the mind of James
Accorded duly with his uncle's schemes:
He then aspired not to a higher name

Than sober clerks of moderate talents claim;
Gravely to pray, and rev'rendly to preach,
Was all he saw, good youth! within his reach:
Thus may a mass of sulphur long abide,
Cold and inert, but, to the flame applied,
Kindling it blazes, and consuming turns
To smoke and poison, as it boils and burns.

James, leaving college, to a Preacher stray'd;
What call'd he knew not-but the call obey'd:
Mild, idle, pensive, ever led by those

Who could some specious novelty propose;
Humbly he listen'd, while the preacher dwelt
On touching themes, and strong emotions felt;

And in this night was fix'd that pliant will
To one sole point, and he retains it still.

At first his care was to himself confined;
Himself assured, he gave it to mankind:
His zeal grew active honest, earnest zeal,
And comfort dealt to him, he long'd to deal;
He to his favourite preacher now withdrew,
Was taught to teach, instructed to subdue;
And train'd for ghostly warfare, when the call
Of his new duties reach'd him from the Hall.

Now to the 'Squire, although alert and stout, Came unexpected an attack of gout; And the grieved patron felt such serious pain; He never thought to see a church again:

Thrice had the youthful rector taught the crowd, Whose growing numbers spoke his powers aloud, Before the patron could himself rejoice

(His pain still lingering) in the general voice;
For he imputed all this early fame

To graceful manner, and the well-known name;
And to himself assumed a share of praise,
For worth and talents he was pleased to raise.

A month had flown, and with it fled disease; What pleased before, began again to please; Emerging daily from his chamber's gloom, He found his old sensations hurrying home; Then call'd his nephew, and exclaim'd, "My boy,