Swift, among his other lessons, took pains to impress her with his own favourite maxims (it had been well for both had he acted up to them himself)--"to speak the truth on all occasions, and at every hazard: and to do what seemed right in itself, without regard to the opinions or customs of the world." He appears also to have insinuated the idea, that the disparity of their age and fortune rendered him distrustful of his own powers of pleasing.[111] She was thus led on, by his open admiration, and her own frank temper, to betray the state of her affections, and proffered to him her hand and fortune. He had not sufficient humanity, honour, or courage, to disclose the truth of his situation, but replied to the avowal of this innocent and warm-hearted girl, first in a tone of raillery, and then by an equivocal offer of everlasting friendship. The scene is thus given in Cadenus and Vanessa. Vanessa, though by Pallas taught, By Love invulnerable thought, Searching in books for wisdom's aid, Was in the very search betrayed. ....*....*....*....* Cadenus many things had writ; Vanessa much esteemed his wit, And call'd for his poetic works. Mean time the boy in secret lurks; And, while the book was in her hand The urchin from his private stand Took aim, and shot with all his strength A dart of such prodigious length, It pierced the feeble volume through, And deep transfix'd her bosom too. Some lines, more moving than the rest, Stuck to the point that pierced her breast, And borne directly to the heart, With pains unknown, increas'd her smart. Vanessa, not in years a score, Dreams of a gown of forty-four; Imaginary charms can find, In eyes with reading almost blind. Cadenus now no more appears Declin'd in health, advanc'd in years; She fancies music in his tongue, Nor farther looks, but thinks him young. Vanessa is then made to disclose her tenderness. The expressions and the sentiments are probably as true to the facts as was consistent with the rhyme: but how cold, how flat, how prosaic! no emotion falters in the lines--not a feeling blushes through them!--as if an ardent but delicate and gentle girl would ever have made a first avowal of passion in this _chop-logic_ style-- "Now," said the Nymph, "to let you see My actions with your rules agree; That I can vulgar forms despise, And have no secrets to disguise; I knew, by what you said and writ, How dangerous things were men of wit; You caution'd me against their charms, But never gave me equal arms; Your lessons found the weakest part, Aimed at the head, but reach'd the heart!" Cadenus felt within him rise Shame, disappointment, guilt, surprise, &c. * * * * *