He recalls their former Cambridge discussions; and how Hallam's powers of
conversation drew out
"The men of rathe and riper years;"
both the young and older. He gave confidence to the timid, the
true-hearted held to him, and the deceitful were exposed,
"While I, thy dearest,[79] sat apart"
watching these triumphs, and enjoying them as my own; and though not
possessing the tact, and art, and sweetness, and skill, yet I seemed to
share in them, from the love and admiration which they inspired.
"And, born of love, the vague desire
That spurs an imitative will,"
rose in me, and made me wish to do likewise.