How she, this buxom widow, as by fate,

Selected this old man to be her mate.

If Cupid does go with bows and arrows,

If Venus does keep her coach and sparrows

As some poets say, while others quibble.—

Surely! these things help to explain the riddle.

Not he who cannot love, but he who can,

Shows the kind heart, and proves himself a man.


VIII.