We know we have it, or we have it not; 60 But all those graces which men highly rate Their minds themselves imagine and create; And therefore Finch was in a way to find A good that much depended on his mind. “He look’d around, observing, till he saw Augusta Dallas! when he felt an awe Of so much beauty and commanding grace, That well became the honours of her race. “This lady never boasted of the trash That commerce brings: she never spoke of cash; 70 The gentle blood that ran in every vein At all such notions blush’d in pure disdain.-- “Wealth once relinquished, there was all beside, As Finch believed, that could adorn a bride; He could not gaze upon the form and air, Without concluding all was right and fair; Her mild but dignified reserve supprest } All free inquiry--but his mind could rest, } Assured that all was well, and in that view was blest. } “And now he asked, ’am I the happy man 80 Who can deserve her? is there one who can?’ His mother told him, he possess’d the land That puts a man in heart to ask a hand; All who possess it feel they bear about A spell that puts a speedy end to doubt; But Finch was modest--‘May it then be thought } That she can so be gained?’--‘She may be sought.--’ } ‘Can love with land be won?’--‘By land is beauty bought. } Do not, dear Charles, with indignation glow, All value that the want of which they know; 90 Nor do I blame her; none that worth denies; But can my son be sure of what he buys? Beauty she has, but with it can you find The inquiring spirit, or the studious mind? This wilt thou need who art to thinking prone, And minds unpair’d had better think alone; Then how unhappy will the husband be, Whose sole associate spoils his company?‘ This he would try; but all such trials prove Too mighty for a man disposed to love; 100 He whom the magic of a face enchains But little knowledge of the mind obtains; If by his tender heart the man is led, He finds how erring is the soundest head. “The lady saw his purpose; she could meet The man‘s inquiry, and his aim defeat; She had a studied flattery in her look; She could be seen retiring with a book; She by attending to his speech could prove That she for learning had a fervent love-- 110 Yet love alone, she modestly declared; She must be spared inquiry, and was spared; Of her poor studies she was not so weak As in his presence, or at all, to speak; But to discourse with him who, all agreed, [Had] read so much, would be absurd indeed; Ask what he might, she was so much a dunce She would confess her ignorance at once. “All this the man believed not--doom‘d to grieve