Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/224

222 fancy warm, a penetration acute; those endowments were now often obscured by a deep reserve, causing Douglas to entertain the supposition that, in addition to a natural bias to melancholy, sorrow and disappointment might have also crossed his path; circumstances which, though far from being anxious to dive into, accident discovered he was not mistaken in.

"Though but a giddy youth," said Douglas to him one dav, "I once remember to have been much delighted by a small poem you had composed upon the subject of a youth, immersed in business during the week, escaping on a Sunday from the noise and confusion of a busy town, to wander, Arcadian-like, amidst groves, and breathing forth upon the occasion the romantic enthusiasm of his soul. Chance brought him to a spot where he discovered a female of such exquisite grace and beauty that he became instantly enamoured. The story was wrought up in a manner, that the fair one returned his passion; and the bliss of the lovers upon the occasion was very happily described. I remember you seemed completely under poetical inspiration, such a glow of language followed, so much energy you threw into the detail."

"Alas!" returned his friend, "I was then new to life, and the happiness I painted was from those pristine colourings the heart glows with ere it meets with disappointment. The subject was pleasing, and I had deluded myself with the fond hope that such joys might be one day mine."