CANTO THE FIRST VII |
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CANTO THE FIRSTVII
Not unrejoiced to see him once again,
Warm was his welcome to the haunts of men;
Born of high lineage, link`d in high command,
He mingled with the magnates of his land;
Join`d the carousals of the great and gay,
And saw them smile or sigh their hours away;
But still he only saw, and did not share
The common pleasure or the general care;
He did not follow what they all pursued,
With hope still baffled, still to be renew`d;
Nor shadowy honour, nor substantial gain,
Nor beauty`s preference, and the rival`s pain:
Around him some mysterious circle thrown
Repell`d approach, and showed him still alone;
Upon his eye sate something of reproof,
That kept at least frivolity aloof;
And things more timid that beheld him near,
In silence gazed, or whisper`d mutual fear;
And they the wiser, friendlier few confess`d
They deem`d him better than his air express`d.
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