XXII.

Silence ensu'd; and Edwin rais'd his eyes In tears, for grief lay heavy at his heart. "And is it thus in courtly life," he cries, "That man to man acts a betrayer's part? And dares he thus the gifts of Heaven pervert, Each social instinct, and sublime desire? Hail Poverty, if honour, wealth, and art, If what the great pursue, and learn'd admire, Thus dissipate and quench the soul's ethereal fire!"