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OF TEMPER.
5


"Man as he is" her gentle heart alarm'd;
His troubles griev'd her, but his spirit charm'd.
The generous Paradyne had faults, she own'd,
But sweet contrition for those faults aton'd:
In her pure thought it gave him such a grace,
He seem'd a model for the human race:
Hermsprong arose; his rivals all declin'd;
He sway'd, with sweet ascendancy, her mind:
His savage virtues grew supremely dear,
Gracefully frank, and amiably austere;
Soon for the hero of her heart she chose
This bright reverse of fashionable beaux,
And, tho' a pattern of ideal truth,
Hop'd the wide world might yield her such a youth.
The Modern Anecdote was next convey'd
Beneath her pillow by her faithful maid.
The nymph, attentive as the brooding dove,
Por'd o'er the tender scenes of Franzel's love:
The sinking taper now grew weak and pale;
Serena sigh'd, and dropt th' unfinish'd tale: