The Muses oft' were seen to frown; the Graces half-asham'd look'd down; and 't was observ'd, there were but few of either sex among the crew,

whom she or her assessors knew.
The goddess soon began to see,
things were not ripe for a decree;
and said she must consult her books,
the lover's Fletas, Bractons, Cokes.
First to a dapper clerk she beckon❜d,
to turn to Ovid, book the second;
she then referr'd them to a place
in Virgil, vide Dido's case:
as for Tibullus's reports,

they never pass'd for law in courts:
for Cowley's briefs, and pleas of Waller,
still their authority was smaller.

There was on both sides much to say: she'd hear the cause another day, and so she did; and then a third she heard it-there she kept her word: but, with rejoinders or replies, long bills, and answers stuff'd with lies, demur, imparlance, and essoign, the parties ne'er could issue join: for sixteen years the cause was spun, and then stood where it first begun. Now, gentle Clio, sing or say, what Venus meant by this delay. The goddess, much perplex'd in mind to see her empire thus declin'd, when first this grand debate arose, above her wisdom to compose, conceiv'd a project in her head

to work her ends; which if it sped, would show the merits of the cause far better than consulting laws.

In a glad hour Lucina's aid produc'd on earth a wondrous maid, on whom the queen of love was bent to try a new experiment.

She threw her law-books on the shelf and thus debated with herself.

Since men allege, they ne'er can find those beauties in a female mind, which raise a flame that will endure for ever uncorrupt and pure; if 't is with reason they complain, this infant shall restore my reign." I'll search where every virtue dwells, from courts inclusive down to cells: what preachers talk, or sages write; these I will gather and unite, and represent them to mankind collected in that infant's mind.

This said, she plucks in Heaven's high bowers

a sprig of amarunthine flowers,

in nectar thrice infuses bays,

three times refin'd in Titan's rays;

then calls the Graces to her aid,

and sprinkles thrice the new-born maid: from whence the tender skin assumes

a sweetness above all perfumes: from whence a cleanliness remains, incapable of outward stains:

from whence that decency of mind, so lovely in the female kind,

where not one careless thought intrudes,

less modest than the speech of prudes; where never blush was call'd in aid, that spurious virtue in a maid, a virtue but at second hand; they blush, because they understand. The Graces next would act their part, and show'd but little of their art; their work was half already done, the child with native beauty shone; the outward form no help requir'd: each, breathing on her thrice, inspir'd that gentle, soft, engaging air,

which in old times adorn'd the fair: and said, "Vanessa be the name by which thou shalt be known to fame; Vanessa, by the gods inroll'd:

her name on earth shall not be told." But still the work was not complete: when Venus thought on a deceit; drawn by her doves, away she flies, and finds out Pallas in the skies. Dear Pallas, I have been this inorn to see a lovely infant born; a boy in yonder isle below, so like my own without his bow, by beauty could your heart be won, you'd swear it is Apollo's son: but it shall ne'er be said, a child so hopeful has by me been spoil'd; I have enough besides to spare, and give him wholly to your care. Wisdom's above suspecting wiles: the queen of learning gravely smiles, down from Olympus comes with joy,

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 endu'd

with justice, truth, and fortitude;
with honour, which no breath can stain,
which malice must attack in vain;
with open heart and bounteous hand:
but Pallas here was at a stand;
she knew, in our degenerate days,
bare virtue could not live on praise.
That meat must be with money bought:
she therefore, upon second thought,
infus'd, yet as it were by stealth,
some small regard for state and wealth;
of which, as she grew up, there staid
a tincture in the prudent maid:
she manag'd her estate with care,
yet lik'd three footmen to her chair.
But, lest he should neglect his studies
like a young heir, the thrifty goddess,
for fear young master should be spoil'd,
would use him like a younger child;
and, after long computing, found

't would come to just five thousand pound. The queen of Love was pleas'd, and proud, to see Vanessa thus endow'd:

she doubted not but such a dame through every breast would dart a flame: that every rich and lordly swain

with pride would drag about her chain; that scholars would forsake their books, No. 80.

to study bright Vanessa's looks; as she advanc'd, that womankind would by her model form their mind, and all their conduct would be try'd by her, as an unerring guide; offending daughters oft would hear Vanessa's praise rung in their ear: miss Betty, when she does a fault, lets fall her knife, or spills the salt, will thus be by her mother chid, "'Tis what Vanessa never did!" Thus by the nymphs and swains ador'd, my power shall be again restor❜d, and happy lovers bless my reignso Venus hop'd, but hop'd in vain.

For when in time the martial maid found out the trick that Venus play'd, she shakes her helm, she knits her brows, and, fir'd with indignation, vows, to-morrow, ere the setting sun, she'd all undo that she had done. But in the poets we may find

a wholesome law, time out of mind, had been confirm'd by fate's decree, that gods, of whatsoe'er degree, resume not what themselves have given, or any brother god in heaven; which keeps the peace among the gods, or they must always be at odds: and Pallas, if she broke the laws, must yield her foe the stronger cause; a shame to one so much ador'd for wisdom at Jove's council-board. Besides, she fear'd the queen of love