Not unrejoiced to see him once again,

Warm was his welcome to the haunts of men;

Born of high lineage, linked in high command,

He mingled with the Magnates of his land;

Joined the carousals of the great and gay,

And saw them smile or sigh their hours away; 100

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 renewed;

Nor shadowy Honour, nor substantial Gain,

Nor Beauty's preference, and the rival's pain:

Around him some mysterious circle thrown

Repelled approach, and showed him still alone;

Upon his eye sat something of reproof,

That kept at least Frivolity aloof; 110

And things more timid that beheld him near

In silence gazed, or whispered mutual fear;

And they the wiser, friendlier few confessed

They deemed him better than his air expressed.