Swift affectionately teases his dear friend Stella on her thirty-fourth birthday, gently hinting she might be a touch older than that. Rather than dwelling on age, he turns it into a compliment: though her size and years have doubled since she was sixteen, her body has barely changed, while her mind and wit have grown immense. The playful speaker then daydreams: if the gods could divide Stella’s beauty, intelligence, and years into two separate nymphs, each would still be dazzling. He imagines begging Fate to split his own devotion so both could have a suitor. The mood is warm, light-hearted, and deeply fond, mixing gentle mockery with genuine admiration. It’s a charmingly clever way to say, “You’re wonderful, and I could never have too much of you.”
Stella's Birthday March 13, 1719 — Summary
Stella this day is thirty-four, (We shan't dispute a year or more:) However, Stella, be not troubled, Although thy size and years are doubled, Since first I saw thee at sixteen, The brightest virgin on the green; So little is thy form declin'd; Made up so largely in thy mind.
Oh, would it please the gods to split Thy beauty, size, and years, and wit; No age could furnish out a pair Of nymphs so graceful, wise, and fair; With half the lustre of your eyes, With half your wit, your years, and size. And then, before it grew too late, How should I beg of gentle Fate, (That either nymph might have her swain,) To split my worship too in twain.