But nature gave not talents fit for rule:

Yet now, though marks of wasting years were seen,

Some touch of sorrow, some attack of spleen;

Still there was life, a spirit quick and gay,

And lively speech and elegant array.

The Griffin’s landlord these allured so far,

He made her mistress of his heart and bar;

He had no idle retrospective whim,

Till she was his, her deeds concern’d not him:

So far was well, - but Clelia thought not fit