It is possible he might have felt thus; and yet the excess of his _surprise_ and _disappointment_ on the occasion, may be doubted. He makes, however, a very candid confession of his own vanity. Cadenus, to his grief and shame, Could scarce oppose Vanessa's flame; And, though her arguments were strong, At least could hardly wish them wrong: Howe'er it came, he could not tell, But sure she never talked so well. His pride began to interpose; Preferred before a crowd of beaux! So bright a nymph to come unsought! Such wonder by his merit wrought! 'Tis merit must with her prevail! He never knew her judgment fail. She noted all she ever read, And had a most discerning head! The scene continues--he rallies her, and affects to think it all Just what coxcombs call a bite. (such is his elegant phrase.) He then offers her friendship instead of love: the lady replies with very pertinent arguments; and finally, the tale is concluded in this ambiguous passage, in which we must allow that great room is left for scandal, for doubt, and for curiosity. But what success Vanessa met Is to the world a secret yet;-- Whether the nymph, to please her swain, Talks in a high romantic strain, Or whether he at last descends To act with less seraphic ends; Or to compound the business, whether They temper love and books together; Must never to mankind be told, Nor shall the conscious Muse unfold. Such is the story of this celebrated poem. The passion, the circumstances, the feelings are real, and it contains lines of great power; and yet, assuredly, the perusal of it never conveyed one emotion to the reader's heart, except of indignation against the writer; not a spark of poetry, fancy, or pathos, breathes throughout. We have a dull mythological fable in which Venus and the Graces descend to clothe Vanessa in all the attractions of her sex:-- The Graces next would act their part, And showed but little of their art; Their work was half already done, The child with native beauty shone; The outward form no help required;-- Each, breathing on her thrice, inspired That gentle, soft, engaging air, Which in old times advanced the fair. And Pallas is tricked by the wiles of Venus into doing _her_ part.--The Queen of Learning Mistakes Vanessa for a boy; Then sows within her tender mind Seeds long unknown to womankind, For manly bosoms chiefly fit,-- The seeds of knowledge, judgment, wit. Her soul was suddenly endued With justice, truth, and fortitude,-- With honour, which no breath can stain, Which malice must attack in vain; With open heart and bounteous hand, &c.