How Thought You That This Thing Could Captivate?

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How thought you that this thing could captivate?
 What are those graces that could make her dear,
 Who is not worth the notice of a sneer,
To rouse the vapid devil of her hate?
A speech conventional, so void of weight,
 That after it has buzzed about one's ear,
 'Twere rich refreshment for a week to hear
The dentist babble or the barber prate;

A hand displayed with many a little art;
 An eye that glances on her neighbor's dress;
 A foot too often shown for my regard;
An angel's form - a waiting-woman's heart;
 A perfect-featured face, expressionless,
 Insipid, as the Queen upon a card.

© Alfred Tennyson