thing could have astonished the doctor more, or thrown his mind into such a state of agitation, as an unexpected declaration of that sort. He has given us a lively picture of what passed there on the occasion, in the following lines:
Cadenus felt within him rise
Shame, disappointment, guilt, surprise.
He knew not how to reconcile
Such language with her usual style:
And yet her words were so exprest,
He could not hope she spoke in jest.
His thoughts had wholly been confin'd
To form and cultivate her mind.
He hardly knew, till he was told.
Whether the nymph were young or old:
Had met her in a publick place,
Without distinguishing her face.
Much less could his declining age
Vanessa's earliest thoughts engage:
And if her youth indifference met,
His person must contempt beget.
Or grant her passion be sincere,
How shall his innocence be clear?
Appearances were all so strong.
The world must think him in the wrong;
Who'd say, he made a treacherous use
Of wit, to flatter and seduce:
The town would swear he had betray'd
By magick spells, the harmless maid;
And every beau would have his jokes.
That scholars were like other folks;
And when Platonick flights are over.
The tutor turns a mortal lover;
