This side of the account needs no vouching; but there is another side.
In 1705 Addison made a present of his book of travels to Dr. Swift, in the blank leaf of which he wrote the following words:
‘To Dr. Jonathan Swift,
The most agreeable companion,
The truest friend,
And the greatest genius of his age.’
Addison was not lavish of epithets. His geese, Ambrose Philips excepted, were geese, not swans. His testimony is not to be shaken—and what a testimony it is!
Then there is Stella’s Swift. As for Stella herself, I have never felt I knew enough about her to join very heartily in Thackeray’s raptures: ‘Who has not in his mind an image of Stella? Who does not love her? Fair and tender creature! Pure and affectionate heart.... Gentle lady! so lovely, so loving, so unhappy.... You are one of the saints of English story.’ This may be so, but all I feel I know about Stella is, that Swift loved her. That is certain, at all events.
‘If this be error, and upon we proved,
I never writ, and no man ever loved.’
The verses to Stella are altogether lovely:
‘But, Stella, say what evil tongue
Reports you are no longer young,