And seem'd her manner and her state to fit; Something there was--what, none presumed to say: Clouds lightly passing on a smiling day-- 40 Whispers and hints which went from ear to ear, And mix'd reports no judge on earth could clear. But of each sex a friendly number press'd To joyous banquets this alluring guest. There, if, indulging mirth and freed from awe, If, pleasing all and pleased with all she saw, Her speech were free, and such as freely dwelt On the same feelings all around her felt; Or if some fond presuming favourite tried To come so near as once to be denied; 50 Yet not with brow so stern or speech so nice, But that he ventured on denial twice:-- If these have been, and so has scandal taught, Yet malice never found the proof she sought. But then came one, the Lovelace of his day, Rich, proud, and crafty, handsome, brave, and gay; Yet loved he not those labour'd plans and arts, But left the business to the ladies' hearts, And, when he found them in a proper train, He thought all else superfluous and vain. 60 But in that training he was deeply taught, And rarely fail'd of gaining all he sought; He knew how far directly on to go; How to recede and dally to and fro; How to make all the passions his allies, } And, when he saw them in contention rise, } To watch the wrought-up heart, and conquer by surprise. } Our heroine fear'd him not; it was her part, To make sure conquest of such gentle heart-- Of one so mild and humble; for she saw 70 In Henry's eye a love chastised by awe. Her thoughts of virtue were not all sublime, Nor virtuous all her thoughts; 'twas now her time To bait each hook, in every way to please, And the rich prize with dext'rous hand to seize. She had no virgin-terrors; she could stray In all love's maze, nor fear to lose her way; Nay, could go near the precipice, nor dread A failing caution or a giddy head; She'd fix her eyes upon the roaring flood, 80 And dance upon the brink where danger stood. 'Twas nature all, she judged, in one so young, To drop the eye and falter in the tongue; To be about to take, and then command His daring wish, and only view the hand: Yes! all was nature; it became a maid Of gentle soul t' encourage love afraid.-- He, so unlike the confident and bold, Would fly in mute despair to find her cold: The young and tender germ requires the sun 90 To make it spread; it must be smiled upon. Thus the kind virgin gentle means devised To gain a heart so fond, a hand so prized; More gentle still she grew; to change her way Would cause confusion, danger and delay: Thus, (an increase of gentleness her mode,) She took a plain, unvaried, certain road,