农历丙午年三月十七，干支为丙午年壬辰月丁丑日，十二神定执位，吉神有玉堂、司命、青龙，凶煞为复日、小耗，当日处于壬辰月招财气场鼎盛时段，又得丙午马年正西方财神总方位加持，整体气场呈现 “土旺生财、水火相济” 的格局，为十二生肖的财富运势奠定了差异化的基调。十二生肖作为中华传统文化的重要符号，其运势推演融合了干支历法、五行生克与星象命理，财富运势更是与个人行事、气场流转紧密相关。
属鼠（子鼠）：冲太岁遇吉星，逆境翻盘财运转2026 丙午马年，子鼠与午马相冲，属鼠人整体处于冲太岁的运势波动期，此前多有事业阻滞、财运起伏、意外破财等情况，财富积累难度较大。但 5 月 3 日是属鼠人 2026 年财富运势的关键转折点，当日 “天德贵人”“福星”“禄星” 三星汇聚命宫，形成 “三吉星拱照” 的大吉格局，彻底扭转冲太岁带来的财运颓势，迎来逆境翻盘、鸿运临门的绝佳时机。
正财方面，今日属鼠人职场正财运势强劲，上班族有望迎来薪资调整、绩效奖金发放，此前被搁置的项目款项、拖欠的薪资大概率能在今日结清；从事销售、业务岗的属鼠人，客户签约率提升，业绩提成远超预期；自主创业的属鼠人，今日易接到优质订单，合作方资金到位及时，营收稳步增长，长期合作的大客户还可能追加投资，为后续正财稳定打下基础。
偏财运势迎来近年高峰，今日属鼠人偏财吉星高照，小额投资易获回报，稳健理财收益可观，长期持有的理财产品、基金可能迎来上涨；有副业的属鼠人，副业订单增多，收益翻倍；同时易有意外之财入账，如亲友馈赠红包、抽奖中奖、追回陈年欠款等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，能有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：虽今日财运旺盛，但冲太岁的余波仍在，需警惕 “小耗” 凶煞影响，避免冲动消费、盲目跟风投资，尤其远离高风险投机项目、陌生理财骗局；日常开销做好规划，避免大额不必要支出；与人合作时仔细核对合同条款，防止因疏忽导致财务纠纷。
开运建议：今日财神吉位在正南方，可在家中或办公室正南方摆放一盆绿植，提升招财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合子鼠五行属水的特质，增强财运；上午 9 点至 11 点梳理财务账目、规划理财方向，易获贵人指点，提升财富收益。
属牛（丑牛）：害太岁暗礁藏，稳守正财防损耗2026 丙午马年，丑牛与午马相害，属牛人陷入害太岁的运势困境，财运暗礁密布、损耗连连，易遇小人作祟、合作纠纷、意外破财等问题，财富积累缓慢且易有突发损失。5 月 3 日，虽整体气场有 “土旺生财” 的助力，但害太岁的负面影响仍较明显，属牛人今日财富运势以 “稳” 为核心，正财尚可维持稳定，偏财平淡且风险较高，需重点防范各类破财风险。
正财方面，今日属牛人正财运势平稳，无明显惊喜但也无重大阻滞。上班族薪资准时到账，绩效、奖金与平日持平，工作推进顺利，无因失误导致的薪资扣减；从事技术、文职、体力劳动等稳定岗位的属牛人，收入稳定，无需担忧失业或薪资缩水问题；自主创业的属牛人，今日营收平平，老客户订单稳定但无新增大客户，新合作洽谈进展缓慢，不宜急于扩张业务、投入大额资金。
偏财运势低迷，今日属牛人偏财几乎无利好，反而暗藏损耗风险。不宜参与任何高风险投资，如股票短线操作、虚拟货币、期货等，极易出现亏损；副业方面，订单减少、收益微薄，甚至可能因副业投入资金而亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如物品损坏维修、交通罚款、亲友借贷难追回等，需格外注意。
守财与风险提示：今日属牛人守财是重中之重，需严控开支，减少非必要消费，避免冲动购物；远离小人，不参与他人财务纠纷，不轻易为他人担保、借贷；合作项目谨慎评估，不盲目信任他人，防止因合作方失信导致财务损失；妥善保管个人财物，避免遗失、被盗。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放黄色玉石摆件，利用五行土生金的原理，增强守财能力；穿戴黄色、棕色衣物，契合丑牛五行属土的特质，抵御害太岁的负面影响；下午 1 点至 3 点整理财务凭证、核对账目，及时发现财务漏洞，减少损耗。
属虎（寅虎）：三合太岁火力旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，寅虎与午马三合，形成 “寅午半合” 火局，属虎人全年运势高涨，财运处于上乘水平，行动力强、贵人运旺，求财阻力小。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁的助力，属虎人财富运势达到当日巅峰，正财稳健上涨、偏财惊喜不断，是十二生肖中财运表现最亮眼的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属虎人正财运势势不可挡，上班族职场表现突出，易获领导赏识，有晋升加薪的机会，核心项目推进顺畅，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、市场、管理岗的属虎人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期；自主创业的属虎人，客源广泛，合作签约顺风顺水，业务拓展无阻力，团队效率高，营收大幅增长，长期合作的贵人还会带来优质资源，助力事业进一步发展。
偏财运势吉星高照，今日属虎人偏财惊喜连连，“金匮” 偏财星助力，小额投资易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属虎人，副业迎来爆发期，订单爆满，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如出差补贴、项目奖金、抽奖中奖、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，能快速充实财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免骄傲自满、挥霍无度，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，为长期财富积累打下基础；远离高风险投机项目，不盲目扩大投资规模，防止因贪念导致亏损；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强火局气场，提升财运；穿戴红色、紫色衣物，契合寅虎五行属木、生火旺财的特质；早上 5 点至 7 点规划今日工作与求财方向，易获贵人助力，提升财富收益。
属兔（卯兔）：破太岁能量泄，守财为主避折腾2026 丙午马年，卯兔与午马破太岁，属兔人自身能量外泄，整体运势起伏较大，付出多回报慢，财运易有损耗，事业合作易生变，人际关系易因误会失和。5 月 3 日，虽有 “土旺生财” 的气场加持，但破太岁的负面影响难以消除，属兔人今日财富运势平淡，正财勉强稳定，偏财毫无起色，需以守财为核心，避免盲目折腾、大额投资。
正财方面，今日属兔人正财运势平稳但乏力，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作推进中易遇小阻碍，需付出更多精力才能完成任务，绩效与平日持平；从事文职、教育、服务行业的属兔人，收入稳定但增长空间有限；自主创业的属兔人，今日营收低迷，老客户流失风险增加，新客户拓展困难，不宜投入大额资金用于业务扩张，维持现状即可。
偏财运势低迷且暗藏风险，今日属兔人偏财几乎无进账，反而易有小额破财。不宜参与任何投资活动，无论是高风险的股票、期货，还是稳健的理财、基金，都易出现收益亏损或本金损失；副业方面，投入与产出不成正比，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易因日常疏忽导致破财，如物品丢失、维修费用、人情往来支出过大等。
守财与风险提示：今日属兔人需严控开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费导致财富流失；不参与他人的投资项目，不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中避免与人发生冲突，维护好人际关系，防止因人际矛盾影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，提高防盗、防遗失意识。
开运建议：今日可在家中卧室摆放绿色植物，补充卯兔五行属木的能量，减少破太岁的损耗；穿戴绿色、青色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务状况，制定后续储蓄计划，助力财富稳步积累。
属龙（辰龙）：财星偏弱起伏，稳守主业慎投资2026 丙午马年，属龙人无犯太岁压力，但财星偏弱、库门不稳，整体财运起伏不定、难有大进，财富积累节奏缓慢，需靠踏实努力逐步提升。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属龙人有一定助力，但财星不足的问题仍较突出，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财尚可维持，偏财平淡，需稳守主业、谨慎投资，避免盲目冒险。
正财方面，今日属龙人正财运势稳定，无明显波动。上班族薪资准时发放，绩效、奖金符合预期，工作中无重大失误，也无突出亮点，稳步推进工作即可获得稳定收入；从事管理、技术、金融行业的属龙人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属龙人，今日营收平平，订单量稳定但无大幅增长，合作项目推进缓慢，不宜急于扩张，深耕现有业务、维护老客户是关键。
偏财运势平淡无奇，今日属龙人偏财几乎无利好消息。小额投资收益微薄，甚至可能因市场波动出现小幅亏损；副业方面，订单较少、收益一般，难以成为主要收入来源；意外之财入账概率极低，不宜抱有侥幸心理参与抽奖、投机等活动，避免浪费钱财。
守财与风险提示：今日属龙人需合理规划开支，避免大额非必要支出，尤其是奢侈品消费、冲动购物；投资方面极度谨慎，远离高风险项目，若有投资需求，仅可投入小额资金参与稳健理财，不可投入全部积蓄；与人合作时仔细评估项目前景，防止因项目失败导致财务损失；定期梳理财务账目，及时发现并解决财务问题。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强财星气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合辰龙五行属土、生金旺财的特质；上午 10 点至 12 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于正财提升。
属蛇（巳蛇）：食神生财灵气足，正偏双收达峰值2026 丙午马年，巳蛇与午马半合，且食神生财，属蛇人天生赚钱灵感强、机会多，整体财运处于巅峰水平，正偏财俱佳，收入有望创近年峰值。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加半合太岁、食神生财的助力，属蛇人财富运势全面爆发，正财稳步攀升、偏财惊喜不断，是当日财运最旺的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属蛇人正财运势强劲，上班族职场竞争力凸显，易获领导重用，有加薪升职的机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、创意、金融、技术行业的属蛇人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属蛇人，客源广泛，合作签约顺利，业务拓展迎来黄金期，营收直线上升，贵人助力明显，能快速打开市场，财富积累速度加快。
偏财运势亮点十足，今日属蛇人偏财吉星高照，赚钱灵感迸发，小额投资精准把握时机，易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属蛇人，副业迎来爆发期，凭借创意与能力获得大量订单，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如投资分红、项目奖金、亲友馈赠、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需警惕消费膨胀，避免因收入增加而盲目挥霍，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、固定资产投资，实现财富保值增值；远离高风险投机项目，不被短期高收益诱惑，防止投资亏损；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的重要助力，保持谦逊真诚的态度。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财的气场；穿戴绿色、红色衣物，契合巳蛇五行属火、木火相生旺财的特质；下午 2 点至 4 点进行理财规划、投资决策，易获理想收益。
属马（午马）：本命年值刑太岁，正财稳守控开支2026 丙午马年，是属马人的本命年，值太岁且自刑，整体运势波动较大，内耗严重，财运起伏不定，上半年财运低迷、阻滞较多，下半年逐渐转顺。5 月 3 日，虽处于本命年运势波动期，但当日 “土旺生财” 气场对属马人有一定缓冲作用，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财勉强稳定，偏财风险极高，需严控开支、规避风险，稳守为主。
正财方面，今日属马人正财运势平稳但压力较大，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作中易遇人际纠纷、决策失误，需谨慎处理工作事务，避免因失误导致薪资扣减或影响职业发展；从事稳定岗位、体制内工作的属马人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属马人，今日营收平平，市场竞争激烈，订单量不稳定，易因资金周转困难导致经营压力，不宜盲目扩张业务。
偏财运势极差，暗藏重大破财风险。今日属马人偏财不宜触碰，任何投资活动都易出现亏损，高风险项目更是大忌；副业方面，投入多回报少，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如交通意外、物品损坏、医疗支出、人情往来大额开销等，需格外谨慎。
守财与风险提示：今日属马人需严格控制开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费；不参与任何投资、投机活动，远离理财骗局、非法集资；工作中避免与人发生冲突，谨言慎行，防止因小人作祟影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，注意出行安全，减少意外破财概率。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放红色吉祥物，化解本命年值刑太岁的负面影响；穿戴红色、黄色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 8 点至 10 点梳理财务账目，制定储蓄计划，缓解财务压力。
属羊（未羊）：六合太岁财气旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，未羊与午马六合，属羊人成为全年头号旺运生肖，六合太岁加持，福星照拂，贵人运爆棚，财运稳居顶尖水平。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加六合太岁的强力助力，属羊人财运全面爆发，是与财神结善缘的首选生肖，正财稳固上涨、偏财惊喜连连，财富如潮水般滚滚而来。
正财方面，今日属羊人正财运势势不可挡，职场上得贵人指路，核心项目推进顺畅，上班族晋升机会大增，薪资、奖金、项目分红源源不断，收入稳步攀升；从事医疗、教育、餐饮、文化行业的属羊人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，提成丰厚；自主创业的属羊人，客源稳定增长，合作签约毫无阻力，业务拓展顺畅，团队凝聚力强，营收大幅上涨，贵人带来优质资源与合作机会，助力事业更上一层楼。
偏财运势吉星高照，惊喜不断。今日属羊人偏财有多重利好，稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属羊人，副业订单爆满，收益远超预期；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，积少成多，助力财库快速充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免盲目扩张、冲动投资，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财或固定资产配置，实现财富保值增值；不盲目挥霍，保持勤俭节约的习惯，防止财富流失；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人宽厚真诚，积累更多人际福气。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强六合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、米色衣物，契合未羊五行属土的特质；上午 8 点至 10 点洽谈合作、拓展业务，成功率极高，利于财富积累。
属猴（申猴）：三合贵人助财运，正偏俱佳稳增长2026 丙午马年，申猴与岁星三合，贵人云集，整体财运处于上乘水平，正偏财俱佳，创意与副业易带来额外进账，财富积累稳步推进。5 月 3 日，当日 “土旺生财” 气场叠加三合贵人助力，属猴人财富运势亮眼，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，整体运势顺畅，求财阻力小。
正财方面，今日属猴人正财运势稳定上涨，上班族工作效率高，创意点子多，易获领导认可，有加薪、奖金机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效丰厚；从事创意、互联网、销售、技术行业的属猴人，业绩突出，提成远超预期，收入稳步提升；自主创业的属猴人，合作项目推进顺利，贵人助力明显，客源稳定，营收平稳增长，业务拓展有序，无重大资金压力。
偏财运势表现不俗，今日属猴人偏财有惊喜。小额投资精准把握时机，易获不错回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属猴人，凭借创意与灵活头脑，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有小额意外之财入账，如红包、补贴、退款、抽奖小奖等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需防突发开销，合理规划开支，预留部分资金应对紧急情况；投资方面避免盲目跟风，远离高风险投机项目，理性决策；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键；定期梳理财务状况，优化理财配置，提升财富收益。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合申猴五行属金的特质；下午 3 点至 5 点进行副业规划、理财决策，易获理想收益。
属鸡（酉鸡）：正财稳健偏财平，稳守主业防小人2026 丙午马年，属鸡人无犯太岁压力，但财星平淡，整体财运以正财为主、偏财为辅，正财稳定增长，偏财平淡无奇，需靠专业能力提升收入，夏季易遇小人搅局。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属鸡人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳，正财稳中有升、偏财平淡，需稳守主业、防范小人，理性理财。
正财方面，今日属鸡人正财运势稳中有升，上班族工作认真负责，专业能力凸显，易获领导赏识，薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、业务提成有望今日到账；从事专业技术、文职、销售、服务行业的属鸡人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属鸡人，营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，合作项目推进顺利，无重大财务问题。
偏财运势平淡，无明显利好。今日属鸡人偏财几乎无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；易有小额意外之财入账，如亲友红包、平台补贴、退款等，积少成多但难成气候；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损。
守财与风险提示：今日属鸡人需防范小人作祟，工作中不轻易泄露财务信息，不参与他人财务纠纷，防止小人背后使坏导致破财；合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；理财以稳健为主，远离高风险项目，可将资金用于储蓄、低风险理财；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可提升正财运势。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强正财气场；穿戴白色、金色、浅黄色衣物，契合酉鸡五行属金的特质；早上 7 点至 9 点整理工作资料、规划工作方向，利于正财提升。
属狗（戌狗）：三合太岁人脉旺，人脉变财脉稳2026 丙午马年，戌狗与午马三合，寅午戌三合火局，属狗人全年贵人运旺，人脉变财脉，财运处于上乘水平，正财稳中有升、奖金分红可期，合作共赢概率高。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁助力，属狗人财富运势顺畅，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，人脉助力明显，求财轻松。
正财方面，今日属狗人正财运势稳中有升，职场能见度飙升，有掌权、晋升机会，上班族薪资准时到账，福利、补贴齐全，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事教育、能源、餐饮、管理行业的属狗人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属狗人，合作伙伴靠谱，项目推进顺利，客源稳定增长，营收稳步上涨，贵人带来优质合作机会，助力事业发展。
偏财运势表现良好，今日属狗人偏财有惊喜。稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属猴人，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需避免冲动消费、盲目投资，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，实现财富保值增值；维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人真诚宽厚，积累更多人脉资源；远离高风险投机项目，理性决策，防止投资亏损。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、棕色、红色衣物，契合戌狗五行属土、生火旺财的特质；上午 9 点至 11 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于财富积累。
属猪（亥猪）：食神旺相思路开，稳中积福细水长流2026 丙午马年，属猪人无犯太岁压力，食神旺相，求财思路大开、行动力拉满，整体财运以平稳为主，细水长流、积少成多，正财稳定、偏财偶有惊喜。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属猪人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳顺遂，正财稳定、偏财平淡，适合梳理财务、稳健规划，稳中积福。
正财方面，今日属猪人正财运势稳定，上班族薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、项目提成有望今日发放，工作推进顺利，无重大失误，稳步完成工作任务即可获得稳定收入；从事文职、服务、稳定岗位的属猪人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属猪人，今日营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，适合与老客户联络感情、梳理项目资料，为后续业务推进打下基础。
偏财运势平淡，不宜激进。今日属猪人偏财无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损；适合整理财务账目、规划储蓄、购买低风险理财，细水长流积累财富。
守财与风险提示：今日属猪人需合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中保持积极主动，提升工作能力，利于正财稳定增长；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可带来更多求财机会。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合亥猪五行属水的特质；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务账目、制定储蓄计划，利于财富稳步积累
农历丙午年三月十七，干支为丙午年壬辰月丁丑日，十二神定执位，吉神有玉堂、司命、青龙，凶煞为复日、小耗，当日处于壬辰月招财气场鼎盛时段，又得丙午马年正西方财神总方位加持，整体气场呈现 “土旺生财、水火相济” 的格局，为十二生肖的财富运势奠定了差异化的基调。十二生肖作为中华传统文化的重要符号，其运势推演融合了干支历法、五行生克与星象命理，财富运势更是与个人行事、气场流转紧密相关。
属鼠（子鼠）：冲太岁遇吉星，逆境翻盘财运转2026 丙午马年，子鼠与午马相冲，属鼠人整体处于冲太岁的运势波动期，此前多有事业阻滞、财运起伏、意外破财等情况，财富积累难度较大。但 5 月 3 日是属鼠人 2026 年财富运势的关键转折点，当日 “天德贵人”“福星”“禄星” 三星汇聚命宫，形成 “三吉星拱照” 的大吉格局，彻底扭转冲太岁带来的财运颓势，迎来逆境翻盘、鸿运临门的绝佳时机。
正财方面，今日属鼠人职场正财运势强劲，上班族有望迎来薪资调整、绩效奖金发放，此前被搁置的项目款项、拖欠的薪资大概率能在今日结清；从事销售、业务岗的属鼠人，客户签约率提升，业绩提成远超预期；自主创业的属鼠人，今日易接到优质订单，合作方资金到位及时，营收稳步增长，长期合作的大客户还可能追加投资，为后续正财稳定打下基础。
偏财运势迎来近年高峰，今日属鼠人偏财吉星高照，小额投资易获回报，稳健理财收益可观，长期持有的理财产品、基金可能迎来上涨；有副业的属鼠人，副业订单增多，收益翻倍；同时易有意外之财入账，如亲友馈赠红包、抽奖中奖、追回陈年欠款等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，能有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：虽今日财运旺盛，但冲太岁的余波仍在，需警惕 “小耗” 凶煞影响，避免冲动消费、盲目跟风投资，尤其远离高风险投机项目、陌生理财骗局；日常开销做好规划，避免大额不必要支出；与人合作时仔细核对合同条款，防止因疏忽导致财务纠纷。
开运建议：今日财神吉位在正南方，可在家中或办公室正南方摆放一盆绿植，提升招财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合子鼠五行属水的特质，增强财运；上午 9 点至 11 点梳理财务账目、规划理财方向，易获贵人指点，提升财富收益。
属牛（丑牛）：害太岁暗礁藏，稳守正财防损耗2026 丙午马年，丑牛与午马相害，属牛人陷入害太岁的运势困境，财运暗礁密布、损耗连连，易遇小人作祟、合作纠纷、意外破财等问题，财富积累缓慢且易有突发损失。5 月 3 日，虽整体气场有 “土旺生财” 的助力，但害太岁的负面影响仍较明显，属牛人今日财富运势以 “稳” 为核心，正财尚可维持稳定，偏财平淡且风险较高，需重点防范各类破财风险。
正财方面，今日属牛人正财运势平稳，无明显惊喜但也无重大阻滞。上班族薪资准时到账，绩效、奖金与平日持平，工作推进顺利，无因失误导致的薪资扣减；从事技术、文职、体力劳动等稳定岗位的属牛人，收入稳定，无需担忧失业或薪资缩水问题；自主创业的属牛人，今日营收平平，老客户订单稳定但无新增大客户，新合作洽谈进展缓慢，不宜急于扩张业务、投入大额资金。
偏财运势低迷，今日属牛人偏财几乎无利好，反而暗藏损耗风险。不宜参与任何高风险投资，如股票短线操作、虚拟货币、期货等，极易出现亏损；副业方面，订单减少、收益微薄，甚至可能因副业投入资金而亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如物品损坏维修、交通罚款、亲友借贷难追回等，需格外注意。
守财与风险提示：今日属牛人守财是重中之重，需严控开支，减少非必要消费，避免冲动购物；远离小人，不参与他人财务纠纷，不轻易为他人担保、借贷；合作项目谨慎评估，不盲目信任他人，防止因合作方失信导致财务损失；妥善保管个人财物，避免遗失、被盗。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放黄色玉石摆件，利用五行土生金的原理，增强守财能力；穿戴黄色、棕色衣物，契合丑牛五行属土的特质，抵御害太岁的负面影响；下午 1 点至 3 点整理财务凭证、核对账目，及时发现财务漏洞，减少损耗。
属虎（寅虎）：三合太岁火力旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，寅虎与午马三合，形成 “寅午半合” 火局，属虎人全年运势高涨，财运处于上乘水平，行动力强、贵人运旺，求财阻力小。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁的助力，属虎人财富运势达到当日巅峰，正财稳健上涨、偏财惊喜不断，是十二生肖中财运表现最亮眼的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属虎人正财运势势不可挡，上班族职场表现突出，易获领导赏识，有晋升加薪的机会，核心项目推进顺畅，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、市场、管理岗的属虎人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期；自主创业的属虎人，客源广泛，合作签约顺风顺水，业务拓展无阻力，团队效率高，营收大幅增长，长期合作的贵人还会带来优质资源，助力事业进一步发展。
偏财运势吉星高照，今日属虎人偏财惊喜连连，“金匮” 偏财星助力，小额投资易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属虎人，副业迎来爆发期，订单爆满，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如出差补贴、项目奖金、抽奖中奖、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，能快速充实财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免骄傲自满、挥霍无度，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，为长期财富积累打下基础；远离高风险投机项目，不盲目扩大投资规模，防止因贪念导致亏损；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强火局气场，提升财运；穿戴红色、紫色衣物，契合寅虎五行属木、生火旺财的特质；早上 5 点至 7 点规划今日工作与求财方向，易获贵人助力，提升财富收益。
属兔（卯兔）：破太岁能量泄，守财为主避折腾2026 丙午马年，卯兔与午马破太岁，属兔人自身能量外泄，整体运势起伏较大，付出多回报慢，财运易有损耗，事业合作易生变，人际关系易因误会失和。5 月 3 日，虽有 “土旺生财” 的气场加持，但破太岁的负面影响难以消除，属兔人今日财富运势平淡，正财勉强稳定，偏财毫无起色，需以守财为核心，避免盲目折腾、大额投资。
正财方面，今日属兔人正财运势平稳但乏力，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作推进中易遇小阻碍，需付出更多精力才能完成任务，绩效与平日持平；从事文职、教育、服务行业的属兔人，收入稳定但增长空间有限；自主创业的属兔人，今日营收低迷，老客户流失风险增加，新客户拓展困难，不宜投入大额资金用于业务扩张，维持现状即可。
偏财运势低迷且暗藏风险，今日属兔人偏财几乎无进账，反而易有小额破财。不宜参与任何投资活动，无论是高风险的股票、期货，还是稳健的理财、基金，都易出现收益亏损或本金损失；副业方面，投入与产出不成正比，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易因日常疏忽导致破财，如物品丢失、维修费用、人情往来支出过大等。
守财与风险提示：今日属兔人需严控开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费导致财富流失；不参与他人的投资项目，不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中避免与人发生冲突，维护好人际关系，防止因人际矛盾影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，提高防盗、防遗失意识。
开运建议：今日可在家中卧室摆放绿色植物，补充卯兔五行属木的能量，减少破太岁的损耗；穿戴绿色、青色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务状况，制定后续储蓄计划，助力财富稳步积累。
属龙（辰龙）：财星偏弱起伏，稳守主业慎投资2026 丙午马年，属龙人无犯太岁压力，但财星偏弱、库门不稳，整体财运起伏不定、难有大进，财富积累节奏缓慢，需靠踏实努力逐步提升。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属龙人有一定助力，但财星不足的问题仍较突出，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财尚可维持，偏财平淡，需稳守主业、谨慎投资，避免盲目冒险。
正财方面，今日属龙人正财运势稳定，无明显波动。上班族薪资准时发放，绩效、奖金符合预期，工作中无重大失误，也无突出亮点，稳步推进工作即可获得稳定收入；从事管理、技术、金融行业的属龙人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属龙人，今日营收平平，订单量稳定但无大幅增长，合作项目推进缓慢，不宜急于扩张，深耕现有业务、维护老客户是关键。
偏财运势平淡无奇，今日属龙人偏财几乎无利好消息。小额投资收益微薄，甚至可能因市场波动出现小幅亏损；副业方面，订单较少、收益一般，难以成为主要收入来源；意外之财入账概率极低，不宜抱有侥幸心理参与抽奖、投机等活动，避免浪费钱财。
守财与风险提示：今日属龙人需合理规划开支，避免大额非必要支出，尤其是奢侈品消费、冲动购物；投资方面极度谨慎，远离高风险项目，若有投资需求，仅可投入小额资金参与稳健理财，不可投入全部积蓄；与人合作时仔细评估项目前景，防止因项目失败导致财务损失；定期梳理财务账目，及时发现并解决财务问题。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强财星气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合辰龙五行属土、生金旺财的特质；上午 10 点至 12 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于正财提升。
属蛇（巳蛇）：食神生财灵气足，正偏双收达峰值2026 丙午马年，巳蛇与午马半合，且食神生财，属蛇人天生赚钱灵感强、机会多，整体财运处于巅峰水平，正偏财俱佳，收入有望创近年峰值。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加半合太岁、食神生财的助力，属蛇人财富运势全面爆发，正财稳步攀升、偏财惊喜不断，是当日财运最旺的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属蛇人正财运势强劲，上班族职场竞争力凸显，易获领导重用，有加薪升职的机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、创意、金融、技术行业的属蛇人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属蛇人，客源广泛，合作签约顺利，业务拓展迎来黄金期，营收直线上升，贵人助力明显，能快速打开市场，财富积累速度加快。
偏财运势亮点十足，今日属蛇人偏财吉星高照，赚钱灵感迸发，小额投资精准把握时机，易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属蛇人，副业迎来爆发期，凭借创意与能力获得大量订单，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如投资分红、项目奖金、亲友馈赠、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需警惕消费膨胀，避免因收入增加而盲目挥霍，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、固定资产投资，实现财富保值增值；远离高风险投机项目，不被短期高收益诱惑，防止投资亏损；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的重要助力，保持谦逊真诚的态度。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财的气场；穿戴绿色、红色衣物，契合巳蛇五行属火、木火相生旺财的特质；下午 2 点至 4 点进行理财规划、投资决策，易获理想收益。
属马（午马）：本命年值刑太岁，正财稳守控开支2026 丙午马年，是属马人的本命年，值太岁且自刑，整体运势波动较大，内耗严重，财运起伏不定，上半年财运低迷、阻滞较多，下半年逐渐转顺。5 月 3 日，虽处于本命年运势波动期，但当日 “土旺生财” 气场对属马人有一定缓冲作用，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财勉强稳定，偏财风险极高，需严控开支、规避风险，稳守为主。
正财方面，今日属马人正财运势平稳但压力较大，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作中易遇人际纠纷、决策失误，需谨慎处理工作事务，避免因失误导致薪资扣减或影响职业发展；从事稳定岗位、体制内工作的属马人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属马人，今日营收平平，市场竞争激烈，订单量不稳定，易因资金周转困难导致经营压力，不宜盲目扩张业务。
偏财运势极差，暗藏重大破财风险。今日属马人偏财不宜触碰，任何投资活动都易出现亏损，高风险项目更是大忌；副业方面，投入多回报少，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如交通意外、物品损坏、医疗支出、人情往来大额开销等，需格外谨慎。
守财与风险提示：今日属马人需严格控制开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费；不参与任何投资、投机活动，远离理财骗局、非法集资；工作中避免与人发生冲突，谨言慎行，防止因小人作祟影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，注意出行安全，减少意外破财概率。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放红色吉祥物，化解本命年值刑太岁的负面影响；穿戴红色、黄色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 8 点至 10 点梳理财务账目，制定储蓄计划，缓解财务压力。
属羊（未羊）：六合太岁财气旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，未羊与午马六合，属羊人成为全年头号旺运生肖，六合太岁加持，福星照拂，贵人运爆棚，财运稳居顶尖水平。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加六合太岁的强力助力，属羊人财运全面爆发，是与财神结善缘的首选生肖，正财稳固上涨、偏财惊喜连连，财富如潮水般滚滚而来。It was a ministerial vow. That same month the bishopric of Hereford was filled, but not by Swift. In April, when the treaty of Utrecht had at last been signed and Swift considered his work done, there were vacant preferments on every tree: in England the deaneries of Wells, Ely, and Lichfield and the canonry of Windsor; in Ireland the bishoprics of Raphoe and Dromore. Not one of them fell to Swift. Oxford shuffled. Bolingbroke had Swift to dinner. The Archbishop of York shook his head. The Duchess[Pg 119] of Somerset hissed. The Queen held out. She would not have Swift a dean or canon in England, or a bishop anywhere. Help came from the Duke of Ormond. If the present dean of St. Patrick’s in Dublin might be made Bishop of Dromore, Swift could have that deanery. The Queen consented.
Oxford suddenly became eager to keep Swift in England. Let him be prebendary of Windsor. “Thus,” wrote Swift, “he perplexes things. I expect neither. But I confess, as much as I love England, I am so angry at this treatment that if I had my choice I would rather have St. Patrick’s.” Did he remember that his old friend Robert Hunter, now governor of New York, had lately written that he wished Swift could come to be bishop there? No matter. The appointment was patched up, and Swift became, as he was to be for the rest of his life, the Dean of St. Patrick’s.
“All that the Court or Ministry did for me was to let me choose my station in the country where I am banished.” He was not even allowed to become Historiographer, to chronicle the reign which he no longer influenced.
This was the career and this the climax of Swift’s life among the great. After a summer in Ireland he was, it is true, called back to London for the fourth and last winter of the Ministry, but his own future was settled, and his time was chiefly taken up with keeping the peace between Oxford and Bolingbroke. They were, it seemed to Swift, “a ship’s crew quarrelling in[Pg 120] a storm, or while their enemies are within gunshot.” The fellowship of love had ceased to exist even for Swift’s loyal eyes.
The victors were wrangling over the spoils. What about their futures? The Queen would not live for ever. The Elector of Hanover, upon whom the Succession had been fixed, was certain to be favourable to the Whigs. Both Oxford and Bolingbroke, both secretly, were dealing with the Pretender, willing to ruin the Succession if they could bring in a prince favourable to Tories. Meanwhile the mutinous Bolingbroke had determined to be first minister himself. Out-intriguing Oxford, he won Oxford’s cousin, now Lady Masham, to another allegiance. London and Windsor buzzed and rumbled. All winter and all spring Swift struggled to divert or pacify the wranglers. Their war went on. Swift, despairing, took to a dull, angry retreat in Berkshire. In July 1714 Oxford was forced to break the white staff of his office. Bolingbroke, however, did not supplant him. In five days the Queen died. The Whiggish Elector was to become George I. Marlborough, returning from the Continent, entered London with two hundred men on horseback, drums, and fifty coaches.
Swift, in a letter to Oxford, said farewell to such power as he had had. “In your public capacity,” he told him, “you have often angered me to the heart, but as a private man, never once.... I will never[Pg 121] write to you, if I can help it, otherwise than as to a private person, nor allow myself to have been obliged by you in any other capacity. The memory of one great instance of your candour and justice I will carry to my grave: that having been in a manner domestic with you for almost four years, it was never in the power of any public or concealed enemy to make you think ill of me, though malice and envy were often employed to that end. If I live, posterity shall know that and more, which ... is all the return I can make you. Will you give me leave to say how I would desire to stand in your memory: as one who was truly sensible of the honour you did him, though he was too proud to be vain upon it; as one who was neither assuming, officious, nor teasing, who never wilfully misrepresented persons or facts to you, nor consulted his passions when he gave a character; and lastly, as one whose indiscretions proceeded altogether from a weak head, and not an ill heart? I will add one thing more, which is the highest compliment I can make: that I was never afraid of offending you, nor am I now in any pain for the manner I write to you in. I have said enough; and, like one at your levee, having made my bow, I shrink back into the crowd.”
3
Hardly had Swift reached London in 1710 when he sat four hours one morning to the fashionable Charles[Pg 122] Jervas, who, having begun a portrait on Swift’s previous visit to England, now gave the picture “quite another turn.” Perhaps he put the gleam of higher prospects into those eyes which in their extreme moods ranged from fire to stone. Full-lidded, bold even under the dark and heavy brows, humorously but not secretively averted, they seemed in the portrait to glance at something and to stare at everything. Swift’s periwig did not conceal his proud, arched forehead. His clerical bands plumped out his well-nourished, worldly chin, double and dimpled. His nose was both inquiring and commanding, ready to be contemptuous at the first excuse. But about his mouth there were the signs of another nature, sensitive, nervous, never calm. The corners would twitch easily, the lips tremble: the lower disciplined to a counterfeit of straightness, but the upper, short and friendly, indisciplinably sweet.
This was the face of a man whom nothing on earth could over-awe, yet who would assert himself too much out of mere touchiness. He would frighten others yet would hold them, fascinated, dangerously near him. He would give and receive much love and little happiness. This was the face that was to be among the best known in London for four years, this stout body somewhat taller than most men’s, this mind more restless than any man’s.
Jonathan Swift
During the Oxford Ministry
The Jervas portrait was but the notation of a few hours. The true likeness of Swift in his days of power [Pg 123]he drew himself, in the journal-letters to Stella which he posted whenever his sheet of paper was full. Before he left his bed in the morning, after he got into it at night, at any time during the day, Swift set down, with minor interruptions, a continuous account of all, or almost all, he did. He took it for granted that Stella was interested in whatever concerned him. His journal was partly news sent from the great world to a friend waiting in a small one, but it was partly, also, a detailed memorandum written as for his other self. He could be confiding, indiscreet, coarse, boastful, hilarious, tender, admonitory, savage, absurd, pouring out what came to him as it came. He wrote now as if this were a letter to Stella and Rebecca Dingley both, or to either of them; now as if it were a conversation with himself, in the knowledge that they, and only they, would hear.
The journal was so intimate that he fell often into a foolish “little language,” like a giant talking to a baby with what he imagined was the baby’s vocabulary and pronunciation—or like a lover using silly words in despair of finding any that were serious enough. Swift’s baby-talk was a joke kept up between him and Stella, a note of tenderness struck in this way for want of a chance to sound it with a voice. But he did not talk down to her. He told her his life.
“I was this morning at ten at the rehearsal of Mr. Addison’s play, called Cato, which is to be acted[Pg 124] on Friday. There were not above half-a-score of us to see it. We stood on the stage, and it was foolish enough to see the actors prompted every moment, and the poet directing them; and the drab that acts Cato’s daughter out in the midst of a passionate part and then calling out ‘What’s next?’ The Bishop of Clogher was there too, but he stood privately in a gallery. I went to dine with Lord Treasurer, but he was gone to Wimbledon, his daughter Carmarthen’s country seat, seven miles off. So I went back and dined privately with Mr. Addison, whom I had left to go to Lord Treasurer. I keep fires yet; I am very extravagant. I sat this evening with Sir Andrew Fountaine.... It is rainy weather again; nevle saw ze rike [never saw the like]. This letter shall go tomorrow. Remember, ung oomens, it is seven weeks since your last, and I allow oo but five weeks. But oo have been galloping in the country.”
The variety of Swift’s days was in the persons he met and talked with. His habits had the regularity which goes with being virtuous and poor. He made, however, no virtue of his poverty. “I love these shabby difficulties when they are over; but I hate them, because they arise from not having a thousand pounds a year.”
Though he liked best to make his own meal of a single dish, he despised a skimpy table. Though he liked to walk, and took a chair or coach only in bad weather, he minded the expense when he had to ride, not his loss of an opportunity to trudge like a hero. He[Pg 125] thought he was extravagant about fires, but when he shivered in his lodgings it was because coal cost money, not because shivering exalted his spirit. He avoided fruit, he more or less gave up snuff, he put water in his wine. All these asceticisms were for the sake of his treacherous health, as was the brandy that he drank, as were the pills and purges, the drops and ointments with which he fought his many attacks of giddiness. But never once did he rejoice in the endurance of a saint or the glory of a martyr. He did not relish even the fasts of his Church. “I hate Lent. I hate different diets, and furmity and butter, and herb porridge, and sour devout faces of people who only put on religion for seven weeks.”
Swift was a man of his world in his frank admiration for power, station, wealth, comfort, elegance, urbanity, learning, wit, manners. He had come to England to seek a better society than there was in Laracor or Dublin. His natural handicaps—passion, intensity, genius—were enough. He would not pretend that his lack of fortune was a merit. He complained of it, desired to mend it, and kept the best company he could.
Each morning in his various London lodgings Patrick, the servant whom Swift had brought over from Ireland, woke his master early, not always the first time he called. Swift’s sleep was heavy but disturbed. “I was dreaming the most melancholy things of poor Ppt [Poppet], and was grieving and crying all[Pg 126] night.” Awake, he was likely to stay in bed till the room was warm, writing, often still by candlelight, as if Stella and Dingley were beside him. “Morning. I am going this morning to see Prior, who dines with me at Mr. Harley’s; so I can’t stay fiddling and talking with dear little brats in a morning, and ’tis terribly cold. I wish my cold hand was in the warmest place about you, young women. I’d give ten guineas upon that account with all my heart, faith. Oh, it starves my thigh. So I’ll rise and bid you good morrow, my ladies both, good morrow. Come, stand away, let me rise. Patrick, take away the candle. Is there a good fire? So—up adazy.”
Shaving, every second or third day; brandy, on days when he was giddy; breakfast of milk porridge or a cake Stella’s mother had made him: these got Swift ready for his day. He might write at home, all day when he was busiest, sending out for a chop and a pot of ale for his dinner. But usually he put on periwig, boots, and black gown with pudding-sleeves, and left the house, walking, about his pleasure or his affairs. Perhaps he had morning tea or chocolate with some of the ladies who delighted in his fame and insolence. Perhaps he conferred with his printers in the City. Perhaps he waited on one of the lords of his political fellowship. There were many amusements in London. “Lady Kerry, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Cadogan, and I in one coach, Lady Kerry’s son and his governor and two[Pg 127] gentlemen in another, maids and misses and little master (Lord Shelburne’s children) in a third, all hackneys, set out at ten o’clock this morning from Lord Shelburne’s house in Piccadilly to the Tower, and saw all the sights, lions, etc., then to Bedlam; then dined at the chop-house behind the Exchange; then to Gresham College (but the keeper was not at home); and concluded the night at the puppet-show, whence we came home safe at eight.”
The pivot of Swift’s day was dinner, usually at three. First with Whigs, then with Tories, he dined through the town and out of it. “That’s something charms me mightily about London, that you go dine a dozen miles off in October, stay all day, and return so quickly. You cannot do anything like this in Dublin.” Within a month after the Whigs clutched at him he had more invitations than he had afternoons. He was a wit and scholar; he was a man of influence with the Ministry. Noblemen with axes to grind begged him to come to their tables. Men less interested in his power no less eagerly took up the fashion. Obliging hosts urged him to make his own terms.
“I dined today with a lady of my acquaintance, who was sick, in her bedchamber, upon three herrings and a chicken; the dinner was my bespeaking.” “Dr. Arbuthnot ... yesterday gave me my choice of place, persons, and victuals for today. So I chose to dine with Mrs. Hill ... Mrs. Masham’s sister; no company[Pg 128] but us three, and to have a shoulder of mutton, a small one; which was exactly, only there was too much victuals besides, and the Doctor’s wife was of the company.” Nor did Swift make terms only with friends of his own level. Bolingbroke “showed me his bill of fare to tempt me to dine with him. Poh, said I, I value not your bill of fare. Give me your bill of company.” About both the food and the other diners Swift was firm. At the Earl of Abingdon’s “we had nothing but fish.... Our wine was poison.... His carps were raw, and his candles tallow. He shall not catch me in haste again.” And again: “I left a friend’s house today where I was invited, just when dinner was setting on, and pretended I was engaged, because I saw some fellows I did not know.”
Better a slice of mutton in his lodgings than indifferent or too numerous dishes; better his own company than that of “persons unknown, as bad, for aught I know, as your deans, parsons, and curates.” Swift rode high, and all Tory London encouraged him.
At many houses where he dined the guests stayed on for the evening. Swift chose generally to leave at six, to walk in Hyde Park, to visit other friends, to sit in a coffee house—though after a few months of his influence with Oxford he gave up coffee houses as too public. Many of his evenings he went home to write, at first an occasional Tatler, then his weekly Examiner, afterwards his pamphlets, at any time his stinging[Pg 129] verses. In his lodgings he might find that Patrick had forgotten the fire or had neglected to buy coal or had gone off with the key with which Swift’s papers were locked up. There would be abuse and apology, neither of which meant anything. The most regular interruptions of Swift’s evenings came from Oxford, who kept “cursed hours,” sometimes did not dine till five, and liked Swift to be with him at supper. “I hate these suppers mortally, but I seldom eat anything.” Such evenings with Oxford were likely to be long and convivial, and wearing to Swift, who drank little, ate less, liked as well to sit beside card-players as to play himself, and was soon bored by ordinary conversation.
Yet when he had reached his bed and had put on his nightgown and velvet nightcap—the fur-trimmed one which Dingley sent was “too little and too hot”—he remembered, no matter how late it was, the journal. “Pshaw, I must be writing to those dear saucy brats every night, whether I will or no, let me have what business I will, or come home ever so late, or be ever so sleepy; but an old saying and a true one,
“‘Be you lords or be you earls,
You must write to naughty girls.’”
Widely as Swift dined, three days a week were for much of the year given to his special friends. On Sunday, after going to Court, which he said served him “as a coffee house,” he usually dined with Bolingbroke.[Pg 130] “Mr. Secretary had too much company with him today; so I came away soon after dinner. I give no man liberty to swear or talk bawdy, and I found some of them were in constraint, so I left them to themselves.” On Saturday Swift dined with Oxford for what the first minister called his “whipping day”—the day, that is, when the informal cabinet reviewed the past week and designed the next. “This company, at first, consisted only of the Lord Keeper Harcourt, the Earl Rivers, the Earl of Peterborough, Mr. Secretary St. John, and myself; and here, after dinner, they used to discourse and settle matters of great importance. Several lords were afterwards, by degrees, admitted.... These meetings were always continued except when the Queen was at Windsor; but, as they grew more numerous, became of less consequence, and ended only in drinking and general conversation.” The matters of great importance were the Ministry’s policies and intrigues. The general conversation has been lost.
Swift told Stella only that he and his friends had talked, seldom what they had said. Once, not on a Saturday, when he had opposed the appointment of a certain commissioner to Spain because he was a “most covetous cur,” Swift reported the argument with Oxford. “I went on and said it was a shame to send him; to which he agreed, but desired I would name some who understood business and do not love money, for he could not find them. I said there was something[Pg 131] in a treasurer different from other men; that we ought not to make a man a bishop who does not love divinity, or a general who does not love war; and I wondered why the Queen would make a man lord treasurer who does not love money.... Is it not silly to write all this? But it gives you an idea what our conversation is with mixed company.” When the Earl of Nottingham had deserted to the Whig side “Lord Treasurer was hinting as if he wished a ballad was made on him, and I will get up one against tomorrow.... I was this morning making the ballad, two degrees above Grub Street ... and then went to dine with our Society.... The printer came before we parted, and brought the ballad, which made them laugh very heartily a dozen times.”
The Society which laughed at the ballad claimed the third fixed dinner of Swift’s week, Thursday, though only during the session of Parliament. Bolingbroke seems to have planned the club in June 1711, when Swift was in the country with Lord Shelburne. It was to be small, weighty, and decent, without the extravagance of the Kit-Cat or the drunkenness of the Beef-Steak, was to be made up of men of wit and men of influence, and was to have for its two great ends “the improvement of friendship and the encouragement of letters.” Swift, back in town, found himself among the original twelve members and at once the eagerest. “If we go on as we begin,” he wrote to Stella,[Pg 132] “no other club in this town will be worth talking of.” The men of wit were Swift, Prior, and John Arbuthnot, the Queen’s physician. There were three times as many men of influence. Oxford and Harcourt were excluded, since the club meant to appeal to them for patronage. But their sons were chosen, and Oxford’s son-in-law, Viscount Dupplin, and Samuel Masham, the husband of Oxford’s whispering cousin. There were, also, Bolingbroke, Sir Robert Raymond, Solicitor General, Allen Bathurst, George Granville, Secretary at War, and Sir William Wyndham.
The members, putting off their titles when they dined, called each other “Brother.” Each in turn was president of the dinner and paid the bill until all had had turns, after which the charges of each dinner were divided among them. They dined sometimes at the houses of the members, more often at taverns. The dozen or so brothers added after the first twelve were all on the side of influence rather than of wit. The richer members, who were men of influence, ran up the cost of their dinners so that the poorer, who were men of wit, could not afford it. Yet Swift, though he winced at his bill for seven guineas, for a year and a half was happy. Power and learning had sat down in an equal brotherhood. When the Duke of Ormond brought his brother the Earl of Arran, who was not a member, to a meeting against all order, Swift opposed his election to the face of the Earl and the Duke. But [Pg 133]Swift was exultant when four of his brothers were among the twelve peers whom Oxford packed into the House of Lords: the son-in-law Dupplin, the cousin-in-law Masham, Bathurst, and Granville.
Esther Vanhomrigh (Vanessa)
In Ireland
It took Swift a year and a half to realize how much more skill than he the men of influence had at getting what they wanted. Having odd wells of enthusiasm in him, he had imagined that a club of politicians could be as much interested in the encouragement of letters as in the improvement of friendship.
The day after the first meeting in June 1711 he urged Oxford to leave Congreve, though a Whig, in his post. Oxford said he would. Swift hurried off to Congreve with the news. “So I have made a worthy man happy, and that is a good day’s work.” And Swift that same day had larger plans. “I am proposing to my Lord to erect a society or academy for correcting and settling our language, that we may not perpetually be changing as we do. He enters mightily into it.” The pamphlet on “correcting, ascertaining, and improving the English tongue” was the only piece of writing Swift ever published with his name. He wrote again like a governor, demanding that the language be orderly and stable, regulated by a lawful academy. He wrote, no less, like a brother of the Society, appealing to Oxford to become the patron of worthy, needy men of letters. Nothing came of these proposals, though Oxford brimmed with promises.
[Pg 134]
Swift undertook to raise money among the members. In February 1713 he had collected sixty guineas and was “to give them away to two authors tomorrow; and Lord Treasurer has promised us a hundred pounds to reward some others.” The sixty pounds went to the two authors, but there was another in worse need. That was “little Harrison,” a young Oxford poet for whom Swift had one of his profound, inexplicable tendernesses. “I went in the morning, and found him mighty ill, and got ... an order for a hundred pounds from the Treasury to be paid him tomorrow; and I have got him removed to Knightsbridge for air.” The next day: “I ... desired a friend to receive the hundred pounds for poor Harrison, and will carry it to him tomorrow morning.” The day after that: “I took Parnell this morning, and we walked to see poor Harrison. I had the hundred pounds in my pocket. I told Parnell I was afraid to knock at the door; my mind misgave me. I knocked, and his man in tears told me his master was dead an hour before.... Lord Treasurer was much concerned when I told him. I could not dine with Lord Treasurer nor anywhere else, but got a bit of meat toward evening.”
This pathetic episode, hardly more than a touch of melodrama in the general drama of Swift’s venture, cut him more sharply than his own mounting disappointment. He had thought that though he might not help himself he might at least help others. Now it[Pg 135] seemed he could not do even that. He had only kept a few Whig poets in their places. His scheme for an academy which was to honour and establish letters among the English was still a mere scheme somewhere on the wind. The Ministry which he had served was not, after all, to be renowned for its patronage to learning. The man of wit had looked vainly to the men of influence.
What Swift, whose pride played tricks with his vision, did not see was that he had exploited his wit much as Oxford had exploited all the wit at his command. Oxford had used such men of letters as could be bent to his political concerns. Swift had bent his talents to pamphlets and lampoons about the most temporary matters. From Prior he had learned to write verse more lightly as from Addison he had learned to write more smoothly. Swift had poured his tremendous prose on the ground, careless what became of it. Obsessed with the desire for power, he had tried to win it by such force as politicians use, not by the art natural to him; among his pretended brothers the Dupplins and Mashams, not among his true friends the Arbuthnots and Popes.
4
During his final winter in England Swift turned to his true friends. It was not because he had found where he belonged. It was because he knew he had failed to[Pg 136] belong elsewhere. He was not a bishop. He was not even an English dean. He was only a great writer, author of a great satire, making his first plans for the greatest of satires, meditating a revenge. But his revenge hardly went, that year, beyond a prospectus. He and Arbuthnot had taken up the rising young poets Parnell, Gay, and Pope. All five met Saturday evenings at Arbuthnot’s rooms in St. James’s Palace, where the Scriblerus Club, as they called themselves, plotted a burlesque biography which was to ridicule false learning.
Oxford had called Swift Dr. Martin, “because martin is a sort of a swallow, and so is a swift.” From that had come the name of Martinus Scriblerus, a phantom pedant whose career the Club was to trace through all his foolish blunders. The leader seems to have been Arbuthnot. “To talk of Martin in any hands but yours,” Swift wrote to him, “is a folly. You every day give better hints than all of us together could do in a twelvemonth.... Pope, who first thought of the hint, has no genius at all to it, in my mind. Gay is too young. Parnell has some ideas of it, but is idle. I could put together, and lard, and strike out well enough. But all that relates to the sciences must be from you.” Arbuthnot wrote the history of Martin’s youth and education so wittily that Sterne later pilfered from it for his history of Tristram Shandy. Pope, hunting among contemporary poets for examples of bathos,[Pg 137] “the art of sinking in poetry,” took the first steps in his war upon the dunces. Swift was to exhibit Martin on his travels, and had already thought of taking him among pigmies, among giants, among fantastic scientists.
The break in the Ministry and the death of the Queen scattered the Scriblerus Club. Though the members often spoke of it in their letters, the treatise remained fragments. “I must be a little easy in my mind before I can think of Scriblerus,” Swift wrote to Pope. It was not merely an uneasy mind which kept Swift from going on with the project. Whether or not he was yet aware of it, the scheme was too small for him. He could no longer be content, as he might have been in the days of the Tale of a Tub, to ridicule pedants.
Swift certainly was not aware, at the Saturday meetings of the Club, that his friends had by nature a better art than he could ever learn: the art of valuing their best gifts most, the art of being satisfied to be themselves. What he did with them he thought of as play. His work, he thought, was his efforts, vain as they were, in behalf of Oxford and Bolingbroke. He stood between the ministers and the poets, eager to be generous. “Of all the world,” Pope wrote, “you are the man, without flattery, who serve your friends with the least ostentation. It is almost ingratitude to thank you, considering your temper.” Swift introduced[Pg 138] Parnell to the ministers and interested Bolingbroke in Parnell’s poetry. Swift helped Gay to his post as secretary with the envoy to Hanover. Swift got for Pope’s translation of Homer such a list of subscribers as no book had ever had in England. Swift struck the vein which in Arbuthnot “lay like a mine in the earth, which the owner for a long time never knew of.” But Swift did not take a benefit from their examples.
How could he? Parnell was humble and drifting. Gay was sensual and lazy, ready to be any man’s dependent, troubled only because patrons were too few. Pope was first and last a poet who schemed, fought, and lived for his art, as Swift for action. Arbuthnot was a man of learning and judgment, of whom Swift said that he had “more wit than we all have” and Pope said that in wit and humour he was “superior to all mankind”; but Arbuthnot was not ambitious or misanthropic. He might scorn the world, but he amply took it as it came. Of all the patterns by which these others shaped their lives, not a single pattern fitted Swift.
When, after a summer spent in dejected, furious retirement at Letcombe in Berkshire, writing various apologias for the fallen Ministry, Swift went back to Ireland in September 1714, he was beaten but not reconciled. His impulse was still towards the central fountains of honour and profit and power. His obsessive desire to master and direct had not, after all his[Pg 139] disappointments, left him in even a sullen peace. Having been beaten, and not reconciled, he could not study his failure in a clear light. He did not understand that with his gifts, wit and learning, passion and intensity and genius, he had been at a disadvantage with men who had wealth and office, and that though he could pass them in the long run, he could not be immediately equal with them. The fault, as he explained it to himself, did not lie in his passion to do what he was not chiefly designed to do, nor in the incompetence and deviousness of his political associates, nor in the catastrophe of the Queen’s death. It lay, he somehow concluded, in the very constitution of human life.
Let virtue work and sweat as it would to bring order out of the dirty chaos, nothing permanent could come of it. For a time a few resolute men might hold up the dreadful weight with their shoulders. But if there should be one tremor, the momentary pattern would collapse and the parts of it return to their obstinate disorder. There was no hope. Scorn and hate were all that any virtuous or reasonable man could feel towards mankind.
[Pg 140]
V
DEAN AND PATRIOT
1
Jeers followed Swift out of England, and jeers greeted him in Ireland. Dublin was full of Whigs. Laracor, which he had kept along with his deanery, was desolate. “I would retire too, if I could,” he wrote after a month to Bolingbroke, “but my country seat, where I have an acre of ground, is gone to ruin. The wall of my own apartment is fallen down, and I want mud to rebuild it and straw to thatch it. Besides, a spiteful neighbour has seized on six feet of ground, carried off my trees, and spoiled my grove.... I have not fortitude enough to go and see those devastations. But, in return, I live a country life in town, see nobody, and go every day once to prayers; and hope, in a few months, to grow as stupid as the present situation of affairs will require. Well, after all, parsons are not such bad company, especially when they are under subjection; and I let none but such come near me.” So a banished general might have said it was not so bad to spend his time drilling a squad of militia in a distant province.
[Pg 141]
“You are to understand,” Swift wrote after ten months to Pope, “that I live in the corner of a vast unfurnished house. My family consists of a steward, a groom, a helper in the stables, a footman, and an old maid who are all at board wages, and when I do not dine abroad or make an entertainment, which last is very rare, I eat a mutton pie and drink half a pint of wine. My amusements are defending my small dominions against the archbishop and endeavouring to reduce my rebellious choir.” So a deposed prime minister might have turned his hand to the government of a village.
Swift did not neglect his chores. He set to work to subdue the “three and twenty dignitaries and prebendaries” who made up his chapter at St. Patrick’s. The chapter yielded. He began to resist his superiors, particularly the bishops who had deprived him of credit for the grant of the First Fruits. The bishops became wary. Even in Laracor, where Swift was only vicar, he demanded better manners from the Welsh bishop of the diocese, and, somewhat later, wrote to him as vicars seldom write to bishops: “I am only sorry that you, who are of a country famed for good nature, have found a way to unite the hasty passion of your own countrymen with the long, sedate resentment of a Spaniard; but I have an honourable hope that this proceeding has been more owing to party than complexion.” Though Swift refused for half a dozen years[Pg 142] to mix in the business of the world which had defeated him, he was, from the first, gigantic and ominous in his exile.
There was need of caution. During his stay in England he had got out of touch with Irish affairs, as well as out of sympathy. London had run him into debt. As dean and vicar he was to have about six or seven hundred pounds a year when he could get them: an income which made him, he said, the poorest man in Ireland who dined off plate and the richest who did not drive his carriage. But the installation at St. Patrick’s cost a thousand pounds and several stringent years. The Whigs suspected Swift, like the late ministers, of disloyalty to George I. The suspicion was absurd. “I look upon the coming of the Pretender,” Swift said, “as a greater evil than any we are likely to suffer under the worst Whig ministry that can be found.” Yet when Oxford, Bolingbroke, and Ormond—“three persons from among the rest of mankind on whose friendship and protection I might depend, whose conversation I most valued and chiefly confined myself to”—were charged with the treason of plotting to bring the Pretender in, when Ormond and Bolingbroke escaped to France and Oxford went to the Tower, Swift shared their odium.
The authorities, intercepting letters sent to him, had a chance to read nothing more treasonable than these words from Ormond: “We have no new favourite, nor[Pg 143] never can. You have left so sweet a relish by your conversation upon all our pleasures that we cannot bear the thoughts of intimacy with any person.” With the wives of Bolingbroke and Ormond Swift carried on a guarded correspondence. To Oxford, in the Tower, he wrote without reserve, making him “the humblest offers of my poor service and attendance”—attendance, that is, in prison if Oxford would permit it. “It is the first time I ever solicited you in my own behalf, and if I am refused I think it will be the first request you ever refused me. I do not conceive myself obliged to regulate my opinions by the proceedings of a House of Lords or Commons; and therefore, however they may acquit themselves in your Lordship’s case, I shall take the liberty of thinking and calling you the ablest and faithfulest minister, the truest lover of your country, that this age hath produced.” Oxford’s son kept the letter “as a family monument.” Oxford himself acknowledged it two years later.
While the Jacobite odium hung over Swift he declared, not quite in earnest, that he would hide himself away in Guernsey or Wales for the rest of his life. The world was too hateful to live in. Yet what most distressed him was his grief over the friends with whom he could no longer be “familiar and customary.” “When I leave a country without a probability of returning,” he wrote to Pope, “I think as seldom as I can of what I loved or esteemed in it, to avoid the[Pg 144] desiderium which of all things makes life most uneasy.” And to Arbuthnot he wrote: “Writing to you would make me stark mad. Judge his condition who has nothing to keep him from being miserable but endeavouring to forget those for whom he has the greatest value, love, and friendship.”
His friends would not let him sink into such a gulf. “Never,” Arbuthnot answered him, “repeat that melancholy, tender word, that you will endeavour to forget me. I am sure I never can forget you till I meet with, what is impossible, another whose conversation I can delight so much in as Dr. Swift’s.... That hearty, sincere friendship, that plain and open ingenuity in all your commerce, is what I am sure I can never find in another man. I shall want often a faithful monitor, one that would vindicate me behind my back and tell me my faults to my face.” Pope wrote to him of “the constant esteem and affection I am both obliged and inclined to have for you,” and said he regarded him “as a friend in another world,” much as he regarded his patron saint. Bolingbroke wrote that for a half hour’s conversation with Swift he would “barter whole hours of life.” For a year or more Swift could hardly bring himself to reply. Then, however, the rigour of his despair began to leave him, his wit to come out of the lair where it had sulked.
To Pope, in 1716, Swift pointed out the use of fools, who, in his opinion, were “as necessary for a good[Pg 145] writer as pen, ink, and paper.” He could take enough interest in wit to propose to Gay the subject of another pastoral. “What think you of a Newgate pastoral, among the whores and thieves there?” In 1717 he wrote once more to Addison, now Secretary of State, congratulating Addison upon his post and the Whigs for having chosen one man on his merits. In 1718 Swift wrote to Oxford’s son that time had sweetened him. “My servants tell all our neighbourhood that I grow gentler every day, and am content only to call my footman a fool for that which when you knew me first I would have broke his head.” And in December 1719 Swift wrote to Bolingbroke a letter in which his humour played again over his passion.
“I can now express in a hundred words what would formerly have cost me ten. I can write epigrams of fifty distichs which might be squeezed into one. I have gone the round of all my stories three or four times with the younger people, and begin them again. I give hints how significant a person I have been, and nobody believes me. I pretend to pity them, but am inwardly angry.... If I boast of having been valued three hundred miles off, it is of no more use than if I told how handsome I was when I was young.... If I can prevail on any one to personate a hearer and admirer, you would wonder what a favourite he grows. He is sure to have the first glass out of the bottle and the best bit I can carve. Nothing has convinced me so[Pg 146] much that I am of a little subaltern spirit, inopis atque pusilli animi, as to reflect how I am forced into the most trifling amusements to divert the vexation of former thoughts and present objects.”
In another man this might have sounded like humility. In Swift it has, somehow, the imagined sound of a searchlight falling into a dark corner.
He was now almost Swift again. Looking back over his career as a wit he wrote an ironic letter of advice to a young poet, assuring him that poetry did not demand religion or learning or even sense of those who practised it. Ireland, he argued, must have a Grub Street. Ireland must have a poet laureate, a professor of poetry, a city bard for Dublin, a poet in fee for every parish. It might have more. “What if every one so qualified were obliged to add one more than usual to the number of his domestics, and besides a fool and a chaplain (which are often united in one person) would retain a poet in his family?” Looking back over his career as a parson Swift wrote a sober letter of advice to a young clergyman. To him, not to the poet, Swift said that “proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.”
Both these letters dealt with what for Swift was play. He resumed his work in a pamphlet urging all the Irish, as a protest against the ruinous export laws, to make a “universal use of Irish manufacture,” “utterly rejecting and renouncing everything wearable that[Pg 147] comes from England.” Officials fumed. He was, they claimed, trying to divide the two kingdoms. The printer was brought to trial. When the jury acquitted him the Lord Chief Justice sent them back nine times, till they were willing to leave the verdict to the mercy of the judge. Though the case was dropped when the next Lord Lieutenant came over, the damage was done. Swift, having once more tasted Whig blood, was on his way to becoming an Irish patriot.
2
But before he gathered all his forces he had to go through his final conflict with Stella’s rival. The drama reaching its climax was already much too long.
He had met Vanessa (Esther Vanhomrigh) early in 1708 in London, where her mother was living with her children. It pleased the mother to call the daughter younger than she was, and it did not displease the daughter. She was a sleepy girl, still, at twenty, undecided between the nursery and the drawing-room, moody, idle, intelligent. Swift, at first considering her a child, discovered in her a mind, and was irresistibly, humorously impelled to shape it. “She had good principles,” he wrote three years later, “and I have corrected all her faults.” She had, however, the passion of sleepy women, not the obedience of Stella.
To that passion Swift was blind, first carelessly, then deliberately. No doubt he felt it. He had put his entire[Pg 148] energy into his pride. His senses, no matter how cold towards women, must have learned that the relationship with Stella, no matter how close and kind, was sometimes dry and mild. She was nearly a wife, and some routine had got into their companionship. Vanessa was younger. Vanessa was new. Swift, for all his prudence, enjoyed the tumult in her disposition. Because he held her, as he seems always to have done, at a safe arm’s-length, he was obtuse to her eagerness. Obtuse and insufficiently concerned. Being forty, he could not quite resist such warmth from a girl, did not have quite the courage to put out such a fire or leave it. Too scrupulous or too temperate to make the full use of Vanessa’s passion, he went on idling within its perilous range. He was surprised when he found that he had on his hands a mistress as extraordinary as the wife he had in Ireland.
Stella the extraordinary wife. Vanessa the extraordinary mistress. Swift the extraordinary husband and lover. No other terms will bound the extraordinary triangle. Gossip then and gossip since has wasted its strength in trying to find out whether Swift was technically lover or husband to either of the women. What if he was? What if he was not? The drama remains the same.
Stella was for nearly forty years, child and woman, “the truest, most virtuous and valuable friend that I,” Swift said, “or perhaps any other person, ever was[Pg 149] blessed with.” Call Stella his wife or be pedantic. Vanessa was for fifteen years his occasional companion, his delight, his torment, to whom he wrote—in bad French—that there was no merit nor any proof of his good taste in his finding in her all that nature had given any mortal in the way of honour, virtue, sense, wit, tenderness, agreeableness, and firmness of spirit. Call Vanessa his mistress or be pedantic. One side of Swift looked towards a wife, one towards a mistress. He maintained between them a singular course, but it was no more singular than his character. He was, after all, only one man loved by two women.
The friendship begun in 1708 between Swift and Vanessa, anxious to be possessed but willing to be taught, was kept up during that stay in England and, by letters, during his next absence in Ireland. When he returned to become a Tory in 1710 he had so lavish a welcome from the Vanhomrighs that their house became almost his. He lived near them, dined with them often and then more often, and had a small room there in which to read and write.
Stella, hearing about them, seems to have sniffed. “You say they are of no consequence,” he answered her. “Why, they keep as good female company as I do male. I see all the drabs of quality at this end of the town with them.” He spoke in his journal rather of the mother or of the whole family than of Vanessa.
When, having taken to Chelsea in the spring of[Pg 150] 1711, he walked more or less daily to London and back, he kept his best gown and periwig at the Vanhomrigh house, and called twice a day to change. Vanessa, with the family, possibly visited him in Chelsea, as she probably did at Kensington in the summer of the year after. The Vanhomrighs certainly visited Swift at Windsor in September 1712, and Vanessa was on some score disappointed. “Why then,” he wrote, “you should not have come, and I knew that as well as you.”
So far any strong feelings there may have been in either of them had not risen into words. He teased her for her dawdling, for her chiding, for her jealousy of her younger sister, for her habit of coaxing him for political secrets. She complained, rather childishly, of his neglect of her when he was out of London. Their letters might have been between Swift and any young woman of his acquaintance.
But when he went to Ireland in June 1713, sick of England, Vanessa could not endure the stern break which suited him. The four letters she wrote before she got an answer were disconsolate. “I find no conversation on earth comparable but yours.” She had heard of his illness. “Oh! what would I give to know how you do at this instant. My fortune is too hard. Your absence was enough, without this cruel addition.” “How could you be so cruel, to defer telling me the thing of the world I wished most to know? If you[Pg 151] think I write too much, your only way is to tell me so, or at least to write to me again, that I may know you don’t quite forget me; for I very much fear that I never employ a thought of yours now, except when you are reading my letters, which makes me ply you with them.... If you are very happy it is ill-natured of you not to tell me, except ’tis what is inconsistent with mine.”
Swift could not mistake this last clause. In seven words Vanessa made plain that she was wondering whether he could be happy without her, asking whether he was by any dreadful chance happy with some one else, announcing that she thought of him and her as having their happiness in common. His answer put cold oceans between them.
“I had your last spleenatic letter. I told you when I left England I would endeavour to forget everything there, and would write as seldom as I could. I did indeed design one general round of letters to my friends, but my health has not yet suffered me. I design to pass the greatest part of the time I stay in Ireland here in the cabin where I am now writing; neither will I leave the kingdom till I am called for; and if they have no further service for me I will never see England again. At my first coming I thought I should have died with discontent, and was horribly melancholy while they were installing me. But it begins to wear off and change to dulness. My river walk is extremely pretty,[Pg 152] and my canal in great beauty, and I see trouts playing in it.”
Her ardour, that is, he saw as spleen. He meant to forget her along with all the others. If he were to go back it would be to politics. He was dull but not melancholy. Vanessa would be glad to know that there were fish in his canal.
Politics called Swift back in September, to London and to Vanessa. There are no letters belonging to that winter, but there is the poem, apparently written then, in which Swift told the story of Cadenus (that is Decanus, dean) and Vanessa.
He began lightly, with the graces of a contemporary wit. The shepherds and the nymphs, he said, had gone to law before the court of Venus, the nymphs accusing the shepherds of resisting love, the shepherds defending themselves by the counter-accusation that, thanks to the nymphs, “modern love” was no longer
“A fire celestial, chaste, refined,
Conceived and kindled in the mind,”
but had become a “gross desire,” moving through caprice and folly. Venus, unable to decide the suit, had undertaken an experiment, and had endowed Vanessa, happily new-born, with all the virtues which the Queen of Love—or Swift—thought most “lovely in the female kind”: “a sweetness above all perfumes,” a cleanliness “incapable of outward stains,” a mind as[Pg 153] modest as “the speech of prudes,” and a “gentle, soft, engaging air.” Not yet satisfied, Venus had fooled Pallas into thinking that the baby was a boy, and had obtained for her the other virtues “for manly bosoms chiefly fit”: “knowledge, judgment, wit,” “justice, truth, and fortitude,” “honour which no breath can stain,” “open heart and bounteous hand,” and, since “meat must be with money bought,” as Pallas knew, “some small regard for state and wealth” and a useful fortune of five thousand pounds.
The romantic Venus, when all this was done, had looked for the restoration of her power. The realistic Pallas—
“For how can heavenly wisdom prove
An instrument to earthly love?”—
had, though enraged by the deceit, left “all things to their natural course.” And Pallas was justified. The beaux, when Vanessa came to town, listened to her hermaphroditic discourses—
“Through nature and through art she ranged,
And gracefully her subject changed”—
and thought her tiresome. The belles, disgusted by her lack of interest in clothes and gossip, thought her old-fashioned.
“To copy her few nymphs aspired;
Her virtues fewer swains admired.”
[Pg 154]
Vanessa hardened her heart and turned her back on the world.
Was the actual Vanessa, when she had read this far, pleased with the figure she cut in the fable? Or did the actual Cadenus, if he read it to her, notice that she twisted in her chair?
The verses went on. Cupid, zealous for his mother’s credit, resolved to conquer the adamant Vanessa. At first he wasted shaft after shaft. Cadenus, the girl’s tutor, protected her by “placing still some book betwixt” her and the mischievous god. Cupid saw he must include the tutor in his revenge. At a time when Cadenus—
“Grown old in politics and wit,
Caressed by ministers of state,
Of half mankind the dread and hate”—
was reading to her, on her demand, from his “poetic works,” Cupid shot a dart of such length that it pierced the volume and, carrying with it “some lines more moving than the rest,” reached Vanessa’s heart. Unlucky Vanessa.
“Cadenus, common forms apart,
In every scene had kept his heart,
Had sighed and languished, vowed and writ,
For pastime, or to shew his wit,
But books and time and state affairs
Had spoiled his fashionable airs.[Pg 155]
He now could praise, esteem, approve,
But understood not what was love.
His conduct might have made him styled
A father, and the nymph his child.
That innocent delight he took
To see the virgin mind her book
Was but the master’s secret joy
In school to hear the finest boy.”
Not having seen the malevolent arrow, he was amazed at the sudden change in his pupil. She seemed to listen more than ever but she could not keep her mind on what he said. Modestly he conjectured that he had bored her with studies too grave for her “tender sex and age.” He should have known better. “Nature must be nature still.” If she would excuse him, he would take his leave. But Vanessa, it soon appeared, had learned what he had taught her.
“Now, said the nymph, to let you see
My actions with your rules agree,
That I can vulgar forms despise,
And have no secrets to disguise ...
Your lessons found the weakest part,
Aimed at the head but reached the heart.”
Cadenus was overwhelmed with “shame, disappointment, guilt, surprise.” He could not doubt her words, but he thought he must pretend to, out of policy. The difference in their ages was too great. Love[Pg 156] between them would be a scandal. He told her she must not seem so tragic when, as he knew, she was only joking.
Vanessa was too good a disputant to be put off. Reason, she insisted, was her guide in love. In loving him she was only loving the virtues and merits which she had observed in him and had made her own. Her love was as strong as self-love, for it was that. She had seen him full of “love, esteem, and awe” for dead geniuses. Surely he would have felt the same emotions if he had lived when they did. Then consider her case. She lived in the same age with a great genius. It was as much her duty as her instinct to adore him.
“Cadenus answers every end,
The book, the author, and the friend.
The utmost her desires will reach
Is but to learn what he can teach.
His converse is a system fit
Alone to fill up all her wit,
While every passion of her mind
In him is centred and confined.”
In that flood of reasons Cadenus wavered. They were his own reasons, thrown back at him with his skill. He could not think them bad reasons. He was proud of his pupil for her eloquence. His pride, called up by her, stayed to caress him. If he had been preferred to all the “colonels, lords, and beaux” by “so[Pg 157] bright a nymph” whom he had never thought of courting, he must have the qualities which she saw in him.
“’Tis an old maxim in the schools
That flattery’s the food of fools,
Yet now and then your men of wit
Will condescend to take a bit.”
Cadenus could not withstand her tribute. Love, of course, was out of the question.
“Love why do we one passion call
When ’tis a compound of them all?
Where hot and cold, where sharp and sweet,
In all their equipages meet,
Where pleasure mixed with pains appear,
Sorrow with joy, and hope with fear,
Wherein his dignity and age
Forbid Cadenus to engage.”
But he could offer friendship, “a constant, rational delight,” which was rooted in virtue and so could last, as shifting love could not. “Gratitude, respect, esteem”: those she could have to make up for his want of passion. He talked high about friendship.
Vanessa brought him down. If he was to give her “devotion, duty, and respect,” their rôles would be changed. She would, however, take him at his word. He could be pupil and she be tutor, though she could see already that he would have a hard time with the[Pg 158] science she had in mind for him. Any fool knew more than Cadenus about love.
The actual Vanessa, reading or listening, must have nodded, not with sleep. Did she stamp when the poem broke off?
“But what success Vanessa met
Is to the world a secret yet.
Whether the nymph to please her swain
Talks in a high romantic strain,
Or whether he at last descends
To act with less seraphic ends,
Or, to compound the business, whether
They temper love and books together,
Must never to mankind be told,
Nor shall the conscious Muse unfold.”
Did the reader or the listener follow the last lines of the fable, in which, with another flourish of contemporary grace, Venus decided against the shepherds, said her experiment had failed, left the world in the hands of her son, “harnessed her doves, and flew to heaven”?
The tragedy of Vanessa was that Swift saw their drama as a comedy. Experience had fortified him against this scene. With Stella—
“When men began to call me fair
You interposed your timely care”—
Swift had already played Cadenus. If his temper had ever inclined him to love, or if his years had left him[Pg 159] more audacity, or if he had been less absorbed in the great campaign of his pride, he might have responded to Vanessa—or if, of course, he had felt for her that kind of passion which makes the sun, or the moon, of a fresh love seem to shine on an earth just created. He met none of these conditions. He had an impulse to regulate her mind, but not to possess her person. He even believed that the desire he had was more important than the one he lacked. Cold towards Vanessa as flesh and blood, he was warm only towards the idea of being loved by her.
It was his pride which glowed. If, at the declaration, he had either loved or hated Vanessa he would have known what to do. He would have taken her or he would have gone from her, in the storm of any consequences. As it was, he let his pride seduce him as she could not. Its device was simple. It argued with him, as no doubt Vanessa did, that her fiery need of him obliged him to be kind. He hesitated. She was quick to snatch at her advantage. Give her the present, and she would not worry about the future. Give her what he could give, and she would not ask for more. These were promises which no shrewd man would have trusted. He would have seen through them to what lay behind: the hope that if he could be held he could be won: the assurance that any kindness he might show would be more than kindness, would be the selfishness which she longed to find in him. Swift was not shrewd.[Pg 160] Moved if not convinced, he agreed to do what he could to please her, not realizing how much it was to indulge himself.
Then, almost as if to clear himself of a last annoying suspicion, he told the story of Cadenus and Vanessa in the bold but humorous light in which he saw it. Such lucidity as his would have overpowered a stronger woman than Vanessa. Whether his version was at all points accurate or not, she had to fall into the place which his comedy had assigned her.
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But she could struggle. The rest of her life was largely taken up by her efforts to get out of the poem and nearer to the poet. Swift, having made the blunder of undertaking to meet love with kindness, could never undo it. Vanessa pursued him like the ghost of his blunder. In August 1714, when he had sullenly retired to Berkshire, she surprised him with a visit. “You should not have come by Wantage for a thousand pound. You used to brag you were very discreet. Where is it gone?” As soon as he had settled in Ireland, Vanessa followed. Her mother, having died, had left the daughters something of a fortune, including a handsome house at Celbridge eleven miles out of Dublin. From her house in the country or from occasional lodgings in town Vanessa implored him.
“Once I had a friend that would see me sometimes, and either commend what I did or advise me what to do, which banished all my uneasiness. But now, when[Pg 161] my misfortunes are increased by being in a disagreeable place, amongst strange, prying, deceitful people, whose company is so far from an amusement that it is a very great punishment, you fly me, and give me no reason but that we are amongst fools and must submit. I am very well satisfied that we are amongst such, but know no reason for having my happiness sacrificed to their caprice. You once had a maxim, which was to act what was right and not mind what the world said. I wish you would keep to it now. Pray what can be wrong in seeing and advising an unhappy young woman? I can’t imagine. You can’t but know that your frowns make my life insupportable. You have taught me to distinguish and then you leave me miserable.”
Swift answered only that he had “ever feared the tattle of this nasty town, and told you so.” He begged her to be easy if he saw her still less often. “These are accidents in life that are necessary and must be submitted to.”
Vanessa was not so frantic that she could mistake disinclination for discretion. “You bid me be easy, and you’d see me as often as you could. You had better said as often as you could get the better of your inclinations so much, or as often as you remembered that there was such a one in the world. If you continue to treat me as you do you will not be made uneasy by me long. ’Tis impossible to describe what I have suffered since I saw[Pg 162] you last. I am sure I could have bore the rack better than those killing, killing words of yours. Sometimes I have resolved to die without seeing you more; but those resolves, to your misfortune, did not last long.... The reason I write to you is because I cannot tell it you, should I see you. For when I begin to complain, then you are angry, and there is something in your look so awful that it strikes me dumb.... I say as little as ever I can. Did you but know what I thought I am sure it would move you. Forgive me, and believe I cannot help telling you this and live.”
There are ways to get rid of importunate Vanessas, but they are ways unknown to men who can try to be kind to women desperately in love with them. Swift, with his variations of temper, was the worst man in the world for this Vanessa. In one letter he could write: “A fig for your letters and messages”; and in another: “I cannot see you, I fear, today, having affairs of my place to do; but pray think it not want of friendship or tenderness, which I will always continue to the utmost.” Vanessa, prying into every sentence to see what might be hidden in it, turning every word over and over with a lover’s feverish research, could arrive at the security neither of hope nor of despair.
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正财方面，今日属狗人正财运势稳中有升，职场能见度飙升，有掌权、晋升机会，上班族薪资准时到账，福利、补贴齐全，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事教育、能源、餐饮、管理行业的属狗人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属狗人，合作伙伴靠谱，项目推进顺利，客源稳定增长，营收稳步上涨，贵人带来优质合作机会，助力事业发展。
偏财运势表现良好，今日属狗人偏财有惊喜。稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属猴人，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需避免冲动消费、盲目投资，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，实现财富保值增值；维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人真诚宽厚，积累更多人脉资源；远离高风险投机项目，理性决策，防止投资亏损。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、棕色、红色衣物，契合戌狗五行属土、生火旺财的特质；上午 9 点至 11 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于财富积累。
属猪（亥猪）：食神旺相思路开，稳中积福细水长流2026 丙午马年，属猪人无犯太岁压力，食神旺相，求财思路大开、行动力拉满，整体财运以平稳为主，细水长流、积少成多，正财稳定、偏财偶有惊喜。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属猪人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳顺遂，正财稳定、偏财平淡，适合梳理财务、稳健规划，稳中积福。
正财方面，今日属猪人正财运势稳定，上班族薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、项目提成有望今日发放，工作推进顺利，无重大失误，稳步完成工作任务即可获得稳定收入；从事文职、服务、稳定岗位的属猪人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属猪人，今日营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，适合与老客户联络感情、梳理项目资料，为后续业务推进打下基础。
偏财运势平淡，不宜激进。今日属猪人偏财无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损；适合整理财务账目、规划储蓄、购买低风险理财，细水长流积累财富。
守财与风险提示：今日属猪人需合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中保持积极主动，提升工作能力，利于正财稳定增长；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可带来更多求财机会。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合亥猪五行属水的特质；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务账目、制定储蓄计划，利于财富稳步积累
农历丙午年三月十七，干支为丙午年壬辰月丁丑日，十二神定执位，吉神有玉堂、司命、青龙，凶煞为复日、小耗，当日处于壬辰月招财气场鼎盛时段，又得丙午马年正西方财神总方位加持，整体气场呈现 “土旺生财、水火相济” 的格局，为十二生肖的财富运势奠定了差异化的基调。十二生肖作为中华传统文化的重要符号，其运势推演融合了干支历法、五行生克与星象命理，财富运势更是与个人行事、气场流转紧密相关。
属鼠（子鼠）：冲太岁遇吉星，逆境翻盘财运转2026 丙午马年，子鼠与午马相冲，属鼠人整体处于冲太岁的运势波动期，此前多有事业阻滞、财运起伏、意外破财等情况，财富积累难度较大。但 5 月 3 日是属鼠人 2026 年财富运势的关键转折点，当日 “天德贵人”“福星”“禄星” 三星汇聚命宫，形成 “三吉星拱照” 的大吉格局，彻底扭转冲太岁带来的财运颓势，迎来逆境翻盘、鸿运临门的绝佳时机。
正财方面，今日属鼠人职场正财运势强劲，上班族有望迎来薪资调整、绩效奖金发放，此前被搁置的项目款项、拖欠的薪资大概率能在今日结清；从事销售、业务岗的属鼠人，客户签约率提升，业绩提成远超预期；自主创业的属鼠人，今日易接到优质订单，合作方资金到位及时，营收稳步增长，长期合作的大客户还可能追加投资，为后续正财稳定打下基础。
偏财运势迎来近年高峰，今日属鼠人偏财吉星高照，小额投资易获回报，稳健理财收益可观，长期持有的理财产品、基金可能迎来上涨；有副业的属鼠人，副业订单增多，收益翻倍；同时易有意外之财入账，如亲友馈赠红包、抽奖中奖、追回陈年欠款等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，能有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：虽今日财运旺盛，但冲太岁的余波仍在，需警惕 “小耗” 凶煞影响，避免冲动消费、盲目跟风投资，尤其远离高风险投机项目、陌生理财骗局；日常开销做好规划，避免大额不必要支出；与人合作时仔细核对合同条款，防止因疏忽导致财务纠纷。
开运建议：今日财神吉位在正南方，可在家中或办公室正南方摆放一盆绿植，提升招财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合子鼠五行属水的特质，增强财运；上午 9 点至 11 点梳理财务账目、规划理财方向，易获贵人指点，提升财富收益。
属牛（丑牛）：害太岁暗礁藏，稳守正财防损耗2026 丙午马年，丑牛与午马相害，属牛人陷入害太岁的运势困境，财运暗礁密布、损耗连连，易遇小人作祟、合作纠纷、意外破财等问题，财富积累缓慢且易有突发损失。5 月 3 日，虽整体气场有 “土旺生财” 的助力，但害太岁的负面影响仍较明显，属牛人今日财富运势以 “稳” 为核心，正财尚可维持稳定，偏财平淡且风险较高，需重点防范各类破财风险。
正财方面，今日属牛人正财运势平稳，无明显惊喜但也无重大阻滞。上班族薪资准时到账，绩效、奖金与平日持平，工作推进顺利，无因失误导致的薪资扣减；从事技术、文职、体力劳动等稳定岗位的属牛人，收入稳定，无需担忧失业或薪资缩水问题；自主创业的属牛人，今日营收平平，老客户订单稳定但无新增大客户，新合作洽谈进展缓慢，不宜急于扩张业务、投入大额资金。
偏财运势低迷，今日属牛人偏财几乎无利好，反而暗藏损耗风险。不宜参与任何高风险投资，如股票短线操作、虚拟货币、期货等，极易出现亏损；副业方面，订单减少、收益微薄，甚至可能因副业投入资金而亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如物品损坏维修、交通罚款、亲友借贷难追回等，需格外注意。
守财与风险提示：今日属牛人守财是重中之重，需严控开支，减少非必要消费，避免冲动购物；远离小人，不参与他人财务纠纷，不轻易为他人担保、借贷；合作项目谨慎评估，不盲目信任他人，防止因合作方失信导致财务损失；妥善保管个人财物，避免遗失、被盗。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放黄色玉石摆件，利用五行土生金的原理，增强守财能力；穿戴黄色、棕色衣物，契合丑牛五行属土的特质，抵御害太岁的负面影响；下午 1 点至 3 点整理财务凭证、核对账目，及时发现财务漏洞，减少损耗。
属虎（寅虎）：三合太岁火力旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，寅虎与午马三合，形成 “寅午半合” 火局，属虎人全年运势高涨，财运处于上乘水平，行动力强、贵人运旺，求财阻力小。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁的助力，属虎人财富运势达到当日巅峰，正财稳健上涨、偏财惊喜不断，是十二生肖中财运表现最亮眼的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属虎人正财运势势不可挡，上班族职场表现突出，易获领导赏识，有晋升加薪的机会，核心项目推进顺畅，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、市场、管理岗的属虎人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期；自主创业的属虎人，客源广泛，合作签约顺风顺水，业务拓展无阻力，团队效率高，营收大幅增长，长期合作的贵人还会带来优质资源，助力事业进一步发展。
偏财运势吉星高照，今日属虎人偏财惊喜连连，“金匮” 偏财星助力，小额投资易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属虎人，副业迎来爆发期，订单爆满，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如出差补贴、项目奖金、抽奖中奖、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，能快速充实财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免骄傲自满、挥霍无度，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，为长期财富积累打下基础；远离高风险投机项目，不盲目扩大投资规模，防止因贪念导致亏损；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强火局气场，提升财运；穿戴红色、紫色衣物，契合寅虎五行属木、生火旺财的特质；早上 5 点至 7 点规划今日工作与求财方向，易获贵人助力，提升财富收益。
属兔（卯兔）：破太岁能量泄，守财为主避折腾2026 丙午马年，卯兔与午马破太岁，属兔人自身能量外泄，整体运势起伏较大，付出多回报慢，财运易有损耗，事业合作易生变，人际关系易因误会失和。5 月 3 日，虽有 “土旺生财” 的气场加持，但破太岁的负面影响难以消除，属兔人今日财富运势平淡，正财勉强稳定，偏财毫无起色，需以守财为核心，避免盲目折腾、大额投资。
正财方面，今日属兔人正财运势平稳但乏力，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作推进中易遇小阻碍，需付出更多精力才能完成任务，绩效与平日持平；从事文职、教育、服务行业的属兔人，收入稳定但增长空间有限；自主创业的属兔人，今日营收低迷，老客户流失风险增加，新客户拓展困难，不宜投入大额资金用于业务扩张，维持现状即可。
偏财运势低迷且暗藏风险，今日属兔人偏财几乎无进账，反而易有小额破财。不宜参与任何投资活动，无论是高风险的股票、期货，还是稳健的理财、基金，都易出现收益亏损或本金损失；副业方面，投入与产出不成正比，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易因日常疏忽导致破财，如物品丢失、维修费用、人情往来支出过大等。
守财与风险提示：今日属兔人需严控开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费导致财富流失；不参与他人的投资项目，不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中避免与人发生冲突，维护好人际关系，防止因人际矛盾影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，提高防盗、防遗失意识。
开运建议：今日可在家中卧室摆放绿色植物，补充卯兔五行属木的能量，减少破太岁的损耗；穿戴绿色、青色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务状况，制定后续储蓄计划，助力财富稳步积累。
属龙（辰龙）：财星偏弱起伏，稳守主业慎投资2026 丙午马年，属龙人无犯太岁压力，但财星偏弱、库门不稳，整体财运起伏不定、难有大进，财富积累节奏缓慢，需靠踏实努力逐步提升。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属龙人有一定助力，但财星不足的问题仍较突出，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财尚可维持，偏财平淡，需稳守主业、谨慎投资，避免盲目冒险。
正财方面，今日属龙人正财运势稳定，无明显波动。上班族薪资准时发放，绩效、奖金符合预期，工作中无重大失误，也无突出亮点，稳步推进工作即可获得稳定收入；从事管理、技术、金融行业的属龙人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属龙人，今日营收平平，订单量稳定但无大幅增长，合作项目推进缓慢，不宜急于扩张，深耕现有业务、维护老客户是关键。
偏财运势平淡无奇，今日属龙人偏财几乎无利好消息。小额投资收益微薄，甚至可能因市场波动出现小幅亏损；副业方面，订单较少、收益一般，难以成为主要收入来源；意外之财入账概率极低，不宜抱有侥幸心理参与抽奖、投机等活动，避免浪费钱财。
守财与风险提示：今日属龙人需合理规划开支，避免大额非必要支出，尤其是奢侈品消费、冲动购物；投资方面极度谨慎，远离高风险项目，若有投资需求，仅可投入小额资金参与稳健理财，不可投入全部积蓄；与人合作时仔细评估项目前景，防止因项目失败导致财务损失；定期梳理财务账目，及时发现并解决财务问题。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强财星气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合辰龙五行属土、生金旺财的特质；上午 10 点至 12 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于正财提升。
属蛇（巳蛇）：食神生财灵气足，正偏双收达峰值2026 丙午马年，巳蛇与午马半合，且食神生财，属蛇人天生赚钱灵感强、机会多，整体财运处于巅峰水平，正偏财俱佳，收入有望创近年峰值。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加半合太岁、食神生财的助力，属蛇人财富运势全面爆发，正财稳步攀升、偏财惊喜不断，是当日财运最旺的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属蛇人正财运势强劲，上班族职场竞争力凸显，易获领导重用，有加薪升职的机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、创意、金融、技术行业的属蛇人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属蛇人，客源广泛，合作签约顺利，业务拓展迎来黄金期，营收直线上升，贵人助力明显，能快速打开市场，财富积累速度加快。
偏财运势亮点十足，今日属蛇人偏财吉星高照，赚钱灵感迸发，小额投资精准把握时机，易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属蛇人，副业迎来爆发期，凭借创意与能力获得大量订单，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如投资分红、项目奖金、亲友馈赠、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需警惕消费膨胀，避免因收入增加而盲目挥霍，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、固定资产投资，实现财富保值增值；远离高风险投机项目，不被短期高收益诱惑，防止投资亏损；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的重要助力，保持谦逊真诚的态度。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财的气场；穿戴绿色、红色衣物，契合巳蛇五行属火、木火相生旺财的特质；下午 2 点至 4 点进行理财规划、投资决策，易获理想收益。
属马（午马）：本命年值刑太岁，正财稳守控开支2026 丙午马年，是属马人的本命年，值太岁且自刑，整体运势波动较大，内耗严重，财运起伏不定，上半年财运低迷、阻滞较多，下半年逐渐转顺。5 月 3 日，虽处于本命年运势波动期，但当日 “土旺生财” 气场对属马人有一定缓冲作用，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财勉强稳定，偏财风险极高，需严控开支、规避风险，稳守为主。
正财方面，今日属马人正财运势平稳但压力较大，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作中易遇人际纠纷、决策失误，需谨慎处理工作事务，避免因失误导致薪资扣减或影响职业发展；从事稳定岗位、体制内工作的属马人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属马人，今日营收平平，市场竞争激烈，订单量不稳定，易因资金周转困难导致经营压力，不宜盲目扩张业务。
偏财运势极差，暗藏重大破财风险。今日属马人偏财不宜触碰，任何投资活动都易出现亏损，高风险项目更是大忌；副业方面，投入多回报少，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如交通意外、物品损坏、医疗支出、人情往来大额开销等，需格外谨慎。
守财与风险提示：今日属马人需严格控制开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费；不参与任何投资、投机活动，远离理财骗局、非法集资；工作中避免与人发生冲突，谨言慎行，防止因小人作祟影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，注意出行安全，减少意外破财概率。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放红色吉祥物，化解本命年值刑太岁的负面影响；穿戴红色、黄色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 8 点至 10 点梳理财务账目，制定储蓄计划，缓解财务压力。
属羊（未羊）：六合太岁财气旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，未羊与午马六合，属羊人成为全年头号旺运生肖，六合太岁加持，福星照拂，贵人运爆棚，财运稳居顶尖水平。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加六合太岁的强力助力，属羊人财运全面爆发，是与财神结善缘的首选生肖，正财稳固上涨、偏财惊喜连连，财富如潮水般滚滚而来。
正财方面，今日属羊人正财运势势不可挡，职场上得贵人指路，核心项目推进顺畅，上班族晋升机会大增，薪资、奖金、项目分红源源不断，收入稳步攀升；从事医疗、教育、餐饮、文化行业的属羊人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，提成丰厚；自主创业的属羊人，客源稳定增长，合作签约毫无阻力，业务拓展顺畅，团队凝聚力强，营收大幅上涨，贵人带来优质资源与合作机会，助力事业更上一层楼。
偏财运势吉星高照，惊喜不断。今日属羊人偏财有多重利好，稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属羊人，副业订单爆满，收益远超预期；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，积少成多，助力财库快速充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免盲目扩张、冲动投资，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财或固定资产配置，实现财富保值增值；不盲目挥霍，保持勤俭节约的习惯，防止财富流失；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人宽厚真诚，积累更多人际福气。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强六合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、米色衣物，契合未羊五行属土的特质；上午 8 点至 10 点洽谈合作、拓展业务，成功率极高，利于财富积累。
属猴（申猴）：三合贵人助财运，正偏俱佳稳增长2026 丙午马年，申猴与岁星三合，贵人云集，整体财运处于上乘水平，正偏财俱佳，创意与副业易带来额外进账，财富积累稳步推进。5 月 3 日，当日 “土旺生财” 气场叠加三合贵人助力，属猴人财富运势亮眼，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，整体运势顺畅，求财阻力小。
正财方面，今日属猴人正财运势稳定上涨，上班族工作效率高，创意点子多，易获领导认可，有加薪、奖金机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效丰厚；从事创意、互联网、销售、技术行业的属猴人，业绩突出，提成远超预期，收入稳步提升；自主创业的属猴人，合作项目推进顺利，贵人助力明显，客源稳定，营收平稳增长，业务拓展有序，无重大资金压力。
偏财运势表现不俗，今日属猴人偏财有惊喜。小额投资精准把握时机，易获不错回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属猴人，凭借创意与灵活头脑，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有小额意外之财入账，如红包、补贴、退款、抽奖小奖等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需防突发开销，合理规划开支，预留部分资金应对紧急情况；投资方面避免盲目跟风，远离高风险投机项目，理性决策；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键；定期梳理财务状况，优化理财配置，提升财富收益。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合申猴五行属金的特质；下午 3 点至 5 点进行副业规划、理财决策，易获理想收益。
属鸡（酉鸡）：正财稳健偏财平，稳守主业防小人2026 丙午马年，属鸡人无犯太岁压力，但财星平淡，整体财运以正财为主、偏财为辅，正财稳定增长，偏财平淡无奇，需靠专业能力提升收入，夏季易遇小人搅局。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属鸡人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳，正财稳中有升、偏财平淡，需稳守主业、防范小人，理性理财。
正财方面，今日属鸡人正财运势稳中有升，上班族工作认真负责，专业能力凸显，易获领导赏识，薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、业务提成有望今日到账；从事专业技术、文职、销售、服务行业的属鸡人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属鸡人，营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，合作项目推进顺利，无重大财务问题。
偏财运势平淡，无明显利好。今日属鸡人偏财几乎无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；易有小额意外之财入账，如亲友红包、平台补贴、退款等，积少成多但难成气候；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损。
守财与风险提示：今日属鸡人需防范小人作祟，工作中不轻易泄露财务信息，不参与他人财务纠纷，防止小人背后使坏导致破财；合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；理财以稳健为主，远离高风险项目，可将资金用于储蓄、低风险理财；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可提升正财运势。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强正财气场；穿戴白色、金色、浅黄色衣物，契合酉鸡五行属金的特质；早上 7 点至 9 点整理工作资料、规划工作方向，利于正财提升。
属狗（戌狗）：三合太岁人脉旺，人脉变财脉稳2026 丙午马年，戌狗与午马三合，寅午戌三合火局，属狗人全年贵人运旺，人脉变财脉，财运处于上乘水平，正财稳中有升、奖金分红可期，合作共赢概率高。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁助力，属狗人财富运势顺畅，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，人脉助力明显，求财轻松。
正财方面，今日属狗人正财运势稳中有升，职场能见度飙升，有掌权、晋升机会，上班族薪资准时到账，福利、补贴齐全，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事教育、能源、餐饮、管理行业的属狗人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属狗人，合作伙伴靠谱，项目推进顺利，客源稳定增长，营收稳步上涨，贵人带来优质合作机会，助力事业发展。
偏财运势表现良好，今日属狗人偏财有惊喜。稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属猴人，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需避免冲动消费、盲目投资，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，实现财富保值增值；维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人真诚宽厚，积累更多人脉资源；远离高风险投机项目，理性决策，防止投资亏损。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、棕色、红色衣物，契合戌狗五行属土、生火旺财的特质；上午 9 点至 11 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于财富积累。
属猪（亥猪）：食神旺相思路开，稳中积福细水长流2026 丙午马年，属猪人无犯太岁压力，食神旺相，求财思路大开、行动力拉满，整体财运以平稳为主，细水长流、积少成多，正财稳定、偏财偶有惊喜。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属猪人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳顺遂，正财稳定、偏财平淡，适合梳理财务、稳健规划，稳中积福。
正财方面，今日属猪人正财运势稳定，上班族薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、项目提成有望今日发放，工作推进顺利，无重大失误，稳步完成工作任务即可获得稳定收入；从事文职、服务、稳定岗位的属猪人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属猪人，今日营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，适合与老客户联络感情、梳理项目资料，为后续业务推进打下基础。
偏财运势平淡，不宜激进。今日属猪人偏财无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损；适合整理财务账目、规划储蓄、购买低风险理财，细水长流积累财富。
守财与风险提示：今日属猪人需合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中保持积极主动，提升工作能力，利于正财稳定增长；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可带来更多求财机会。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合亥猪五行属水的特质；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务账目、制定储蓄计划，利于财富稳步积累
农历丙午年三月十七，干支为丙午年壬辰月丁丑日，十二神定执位，吉神有玉堂、司命、青龙，凶煞为复日、小耗，当日处于壬辰月招财气场鼎盛时段，又得丙午马年正西方财神总方位加持，整体气场呈现 “土旺生财、水火相济” 的格局，为十二生肖的财富运势奠定了差异化的基调。十二生肖作为中华传统文化的重要符号，其运势推演融合了干支历法、五行生克与星象命理，财富运势更是与个人行事、气场流转紧密相关。
属鼠（子鼠）：冲太岁遇吉星，逆境翻盘财运转2026 丙午马年，子鼠与午马相冲，属鼠人整体处于冲太岁的运势波动期，此前多有事业阻滞、财运起伏、意外破财等情况，财富积累难度较大。但 5 月 3 日是属鼠人 2026 年财富运势的关键转折点，当日 “天德贵人”“福星”“禄星” 三星汇聚命宫，形成 “三吉星拱照” 的大吉格局，彻底扭转冲太岁带来的财运颓势，迎来逆境翻盘、鸿运临门的绝佳时机。
正财方面，今日属鼠人职场正财运势强劲，上班族有望迎来薪资调整、绩效奖金发放，此前被搁置的项目款项、拖欠的薪资大概率能在今日结清；从事销售、业务岗的属鼠人，客户签约率提升，业绩提成远超预期；自主创业的属鼠人，今日易接到优质订单，合作方资金到位及时，营收稳步增长，长期合作的大客户还可能追加投资，为后续正财稳定打下基础。
偏财运势迎来近年高峰，今日属鼠人偏财吉星高照，小额投资易获回报，稳健理财收益可观，长期持有的理财产品、基金可能迎来上涨；有副业的属鼠人，副业订单增多，收益翻倍；同时易有意外之财入账，如亲友馈赠红包、抽奖中奖、追回陈年欠款等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，能有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：虽今日财运旺盛，但冲太岁的余波仍在，需警惕 “小耗” 凶煞影响，避免冲动消费、盲目跟风投资，尤其远离高风险投机项目、陌生理财骗局；日常开销做好规划，避免大额不必要支出；与人合作时仔细核对合同条款，防止因疏忽导致财务纠纷。
开运建议：今日财神吉位在正南方，可在家中或办公室正南方摆放一盆绿植，提升招财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合子鼠五行属水的特质，增强财运；上午 9 点至 11 点梳理财务账目、规划理财方向，易获贵人指点，提升财富收益。
属牛（丑牛）：害太岁暗礁藏，稳守正财防损耗2026 丙午马年，丑牛与午马相害，属牛人陷入害太岁的运势困境，财运暗礁密布、损耗连连，易遇小人作祟、合作纠纷、意外破财等问题，财富积累缓慢且易有突发损失。5 月 3 日，虽整体气场有 “土旺生财” 的助力，但害太岁的负面影响仍较明显，属牛人今日财富运势以 “稳” 为核心，正财尚可维持稳定，偏财平淡且风险较高，需重点防范各类破财风险。
正财方面，今日属牛人正财运势平稳，无明显惊喜但也无重大阻滞。上班族薪资准时到账，绩效、奖金与平日持平，工作推进顺利，无因失误导致的薪资扣减；从事技术、文职、体力劳动等稳定岗位的属牛人，收入稳定，无需担忧失业或薪资缩水问题；自主创业的属牛人，今日营收平平，老客户订单稳定但无新增大客户，新合作洽谈进展缓慢，不宜急于扩张业务、投入大额资金。
偏财运势低迷，今日属牛人偏财几乎无利好，反而暗藏损耗风险。不宜参与任何高风险投资，如股票短线操作、虚拟货币、期货等，极易出现亏损；副业方面，订单减少、收益微薄，甚至可能因副业投入资金而亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如物品损坏维修、交通罚款、亲友借贷难追回等，需格外注意。
守财与风险提示：今日属牛人守财是重中之重，需严控开支，减少非必要消费，避免冲动购物；远离小人，不参与他人财务纠纷，不轻易为他人担保、借贷；合作项目谨慎评估，不盲目信任他人，防止因合作方失信导致财务损失；妥善保管个人财物，避免遗失、被盗。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放黄色玉石摆件，利用五行土生金的原理，增强守财能力；穿戴黄色、棕色衣物，契合丑牛五行属土的特质，抵御害太岁的负面影响；下午 1 点至 3 点整理财务凭证、核对账目，及时发现财务漏洞，减少损耗。
属虎（寅虎）：三合太岁火力旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，寅虎与午马三合，形成 “寅午半合” 火局，属虎人全年运势高涨，财运处于上乘水平，行动力强、贵人运旺，求财阻力小。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁的助力，属虎人财富运势达到当日巅峰，正财稳健上涨、偏财惊喜不断，是十二生肖中财运表现最亮眼的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属虎人正财运势势不可挡，上班族职场表现突出，易获领导赏识，有晋升加薪的机会，核心项目推进顺畅，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、市场、管理岗的属虎人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期；自主创业的属虎人，客源广泛，合作签约顺风顺水，业务拓展无阻力，团队效率高，营收大幅增长，长期合作的贵人还会带来优质资源，助力事业进一步发展。
偏财运势吉星高照，今日属虎人偏财惊喜连连，“金匮” 偏财星助力，小额投资易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属虎人，副业迎来爆发期，订单爆满，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如出差补贴、项目奖金、抽奖中奖、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，能快速充实财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免骄傲自满、挥霍无度，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，为长期财富积累打下基础；远离高风险投机项目，不盲目扩大投资规模，防止因贪念导致亏损；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强火局气场，提升财运；穿戴红色、紫色衣物，契合寅虎五行属木、生火旺财的特质；早上 5 点至 7 点规划今日工作与求财方向，易获贵人助力，提升财富收益。
属兔（卯兔）：破太岁能量泄，守财为主避折腾2026 丙午马年，卯兔与午马破太岁，属兔人自身能量外泄，整体运势起伏较大，付出多回报慢，财运易有损耗，事业合作易生变，人际关系易因误会失和。5 月 3 日，虽有 “土旺生财” 的气场加持，但破太岁的负面影响难以消除，属兔人今日财富运势平淡，正财勉强稳定，偏财毫无起色，需以守财为核心，避免盲目折腾、大额投资。
正财方面，今日属兔人正财运势平稳但乏力，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作推进中易遇小阻碍，需付出更多精力才能完成任务，绩效与平日持平；从事文职、教育、服务行业的属兔人，收入稳定但增长空间有限；自主创业的属兔人，今日营收低迷，老客户流失风险增加，新客户拓展困难，不宜投入大额资金用于业务扩张，维持现状即可。
偏财运势低迷且暗藏风险，今日属兔人偏财几乎无进账，反而易有小额破财。不宜参与任何投资活动，无论是高风险的股票、期货，还是稳健的理财、基金，都易出现收益亏损或本金损失；副业方面，投入与产出不成正比，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易因日常疏忽导致破财，如物品丢失、维修费用、人情往来支出过大等。
守财与风险提示：今日属兔人需严控开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费导致财富流失；不参与他人的投资项目，不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中避免与人发生冲突，维护好人际关系，防止因人际矛盾影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，提高防盗、防遗失意识。
开运建议：今日可在家中卧室摆放绿色植物，补充卯兔五行属木的能量，减少破太岁的损耗；穿戴绿色、青色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务状况，制定后续储蓄计划，助力财富稳步积累。
属龙（辰龙）：财星偏弱起伏，稳守主业慎投资2026 丙午马年，属龙人无犯太岁压力，但财星偏弱、库门不稳，整体财运起伏不定、难有大进，财富积累节奏缓慢，需靠踏实努力逐步提升。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属龙人有一定助力，但财星不足的问题仍较突出，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财尚可维持，偏财平淡，需稳守主业、谨慎投资，避免盲目冒险。
正财方面，今日属龙人正财运势稳定，无明显波动。上班族薪资准时发放，绩效、奖金符合预期，工作中无重大失误，也无突出亮点，稳步推进工作即可获得稳定收入；从事管理、技术、金融行业的属龙人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属龙人，今日营收平平，订单量稳定但无大幅增长，合作项目推进缓慢，不宜急于扩张，深耕现有业务、维护老客户是关键。
偏财运势平淡无奇，今日属龙人偏财几乎无利好消息。小额投资收益微薄，甚至可能因市场波动出现小幅亏损；副业方面，订单较少、收益一般，难以成为主要收入来源；意外之财入账概率极低，不宜抱有侥幸心理参与抽奖、投机等活动，避免浪费钱财。
守财与风险提示：今日属龙人需合理规划开支，避免大额非必要支出，尤其是奢侈品消费、冲动购物；投资方面极度谨慎，远离高风险项目，若有投资需求，仅可投入小额资金参与稳健理财，不可投入全部积蓄；与人合作时仔细评估项目前景，防止因项目失败导致财务损失；定期梳理财务账目，及时发现并解决财务问题。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强财星气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合辰龙五行属土、生金旺财的特质；上午 10 点至 12 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于正财提升。
属蛇（巳蛇）：食神生财灵气足，正偏双收达峰值2026 丙午马年，巳蛇与午马半合，且食神生财，属蛇人天生赚钱灵感强、机会多，整体财运处于巅峰水平，正偏财俱佳，收入有望创近年峰值。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加半合太岁、食神生财的助力，属蛇人财富运势全面爆发，正财稳步攀升、偏财惊喜不断，是当日财运最旺的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属蛇人正财运势强劲，上班族职场竞争力凸显，易获领导重用，有加薪升职的机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、创意、金融、技术行业的属蛇人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属蛇人，客源广泛，合作签约顺利，业务拓展迎来黄金期，营收直线上升，贵人助力明显，能快速打开市场，财富积累速度加快。
偏财运势亮点十足，今日属蛇人偏财吉星高照，赚钱灵感迸发，小额投资精准把握时机，易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属蛇人，副业迎来爆发期，凭借创意与能力获得大量订单，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如投资分红、项目奖金、亲友馈赠、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需警惕消费膨胀，避免因收入增加而盲目挥霍，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、固定资产投资，实现财富保值增值；远离高风险投机项目，不被短期高收益诱惑，防止投资亏损；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的重要助力，保持谦逊真诚的态度。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财的气场；穿戴绿色、红色衣物，契合巳蛇五行属火、木火相生旺财的特质；下午 2 点至 4 点进行理财规划、投资决策，易获理想收益。
属马（午马）：本命年值刑太岁，正财稳守控开支2026 丙午马年，是属马人的本命年，值太岁且自刑，整体运势波动较大，内耗严重，财运起伏不定，上半年财运低迷、阻滞较多，下半年逐渐转顺。5 月 3 日，虽处于本命年运势波动期，但当日 “土旺生财” 气场对属马人有一定缓冲作用，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财勉强稳定，偏财风险极高，需严控开支、规避风险，稳守为主。
正财方面，今日属马人正财运势平稳但压力较大，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作中易遇人际纠纷、决策失误，需谨慎处理工作事务，避免因失误导致薪资扣减或影响职业发展；从事稳定岗位、体制内工作的属马人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属马人，今日营收平平，市场竞争激烈，订单量不稳定，易因资金周转困难导致经营压力，不宜盲目扩张业务。
偏财运势极差，暗藏重大破财风险。今日属马人偏财不宜触碰，任何投资活动都易出现亏损，高风险项目更是大忌；副业方面，投入多回报少，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如交通意外、物品损坏、医疗支出、人情往来大额开销等，需格外谨慎。
守财与风险提示：今日属马人需严格控制开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费；不参与任何投资、投机活动，远离理财骗局、非法集资；工作中避免与人发生冲突，谨言慎行，防止因小人作祟影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，注意出行安全，减少意外破财概率。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放红色吉祥物，化解本命年值刑太岁的负面影响；穿戴红色、黄色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 8 点至 10 点梳理财务账目，制定储蓄计划，缓解财务压力。
属羊（未羊）：六合太岁财气旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，未羊与午马六合，属羊人成为全年头号旺运生肖，六合太岁加持，福星照拂，贵人运爆棚，财运稳居顶尖水平。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加六合太岁的强力助力，属羊人财运全面爆发，是与财神结善缘的首选生肖，正财稳固上涨、偏财惊喜连连，财富如潮水般滚滚而来。
正财方面，今日属羊人正财运势势不可挡，职场上得贵人指路，核心项目推进顺畅，上班族晋升机会大增，薪资、奖金、项目分红源源不断，收入稳步攀升；从事医疗、教育、餐饮、文化行业的属羊人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，提成丰厚；自主创业的属羊人，客源稳定增长，合作签约毫无阻力，业务拓展顺畅，团队凝聚力强，营收大幅上涨，贵人带来优质资源与合作机会，助力事业更上一层楼。
偏财运势吉星高照，惊喜不断。今日属羊人偏财有多重利好，稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属羊人，副业订单爆满，收益远超预期；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，积少成多，助力财库快速充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免盲目扩张、冲动投资，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财或固定资产配置，实现财富保值增值；不盲目挥霍，保持勤俭节约的习惯，防止财富流失；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人宽厚真诚，积累更多人际福气。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强六合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、米色衣物，契合未羊五行属土的特质；上午 8 点至 10 点洽谈合作、拓展业务，成功率极高，利于财富积累。
属猴（申猴）：三合贵人助财运，正偏俱佳稳增长2026 丙午马年，申猴与岁星三合，贵人云集，整体财运处于上乘水平，正偏财俱佳，创意与副业易带来额外进账，财富积累稳步推进。5 月 3 日，当日 “土旺生财” 气场叠加三合贵人助力，属猴人财富运势亮眼，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，整体运势顺畅，求财阻力小。
正财方面，今日属猴人正财运势稳定上涨，上班族工作效率高，创意点子多，易获领导认可，有加薪、奖金机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效丰厚；从事创意、互联网、销售、技术行业的属猴人，业绩突出，提成远超预期，收入稳步提升；自主创业的属猴人，合作项目推进顺利，贵人助力明显，客源稳定，营收平稳增长，业务拓展有序，无重大资金压力。
偏财运势表现不俗，今日属猴人偏财有惊喜。小额投资精准把握时机，易获不错回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属猴人，凭借创意与灵活头脑，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有小额意外之财入账，如红包、补贴、退款、抽奖小奖等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需防突发开销，合理规划开支，预留部分资金应对紧急情况；投资方面避免盲目跟风，远离高风险投机项目，理性决策；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键；定期梳理财务状况，优化理财配置，提升财富收益。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合申猴五行属金的特质；下午 3 点至 5 点进行副业规划、理财决策，易获理想收益。
属鸡（酉鸡）：正财稳健偏财平，稳守主业防小人2026 丙午马年，属鸡人无犯太岁压力，但财星平淡，整体财运以正财为主、偏财为辅，正财稳定增长，偏财平淡无奇，需靠专业能力提升收入，夏季易遇小人搅局。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属鸡人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳，正财稳中有升、偏财平淡，需稳守主业、防范小人，理性理财。
正财方面，今日属鸡人正财运势稳中有升，上班族工作认真负责，专业能力凸显，易获领导赏识，薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、业务提成有望今日到账；从事专业技术、文职、销售、服务行业的属鸡人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属鸡人，营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，合作项目推进顺利，无重大财务问题。
偏财运势平淡，无明显利好。今日属鸡人偏财几乎无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；易有小额意外之财入账，如亲友红包、平台补贴、退款等，积少成多但难成气候；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损。
守财与风险提示：今日属鸡人需防范小人作祟，工作中不轻易泄露财务信息，不参与他人财务纠纷，防止小人背后使坏导致破财；合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；理财以稳健为主，远离高风险项目，可将资金用于储蓄、低风险理财；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可提升正财运势。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强正财气场；穿戴白色、金色、浅黄色衣物，契合酉鸡五行属金的特质；早上 7 点至 9 点整理工作资料、规划工作方向，利于正财提升。
属狗（戌狗）：三合太岁人脉旺，人脉变财脉稳2026 丙午马年，戌狗与午马三合，寅午戌三合火局，属狗人全年贵人运旺，人脉变财脉，财运处于上乘水平，正财稳中有升、奖金分红可期，合作共赢概率高。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁助力，属狗人财富运势顺畅，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，人脉助力明显，求财轻松。
正财方面，今日属狗人正财运势稳中有升，职场能见度飙升，有掌权、晋升机会，上班族薪资准时到账，福利、补贴齐全，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事教育、能源、餐饮、管理行业的属狗人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属狗人，合作伙伴靠谱，项目推进顺利，客源稳定增长，营收稳步上涨，贵人带来优质合作机会，助力事业发展。
偏财运势表现良好，今日属狗人偏财有惊喜。稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属猴人，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需避免冲动消费、盲目投资，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，实现财富保值增值；维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人真诚宽厚，积累更多人脉资源；远离高风险投机项目，理性决策，防止投资亏损。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、棕色、红色衣物，契合戌狗五行属土、生火旺财的特质；上午 9 点至 11 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于财富积累。
属猪（亥猪）：食神旺相思路开，稳中积福细水长流2026 丙午马年，属猪人无犯太岁压力，食神旺相，求财思路大开、行动力拉满，整体财运以平稳为主，细水长流、积少成多，正财稳定、偏财偶有惊喜。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属猪人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳顺遂，正财稳定、偏财平淡，适合梳理财务、稳健规划，稳中积福。
正财方面，今日属猪人正财运势稳定，上班族薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、项目提成有望今日发放，工作推进顺利，无重大失误，稳步完成工作任务即可获得稳定收入；从事文职、服务、稳定岗位的属猪人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属猪人，今日营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，适合与老客户联络感情、梳理项目资料，为后续业务推进打下基础。
偏财运势平淡，不宜激进。今日属猪人偏财无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损；适合整理财务账目、规划储蓄、购买低风险理财，细水长流积累财富。
守财与风险提示：今日属猪人需合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中保持积极主动，提升工作能力，利于正财稳定增长；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可带来更多求财机会。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合亥猪五行属水的特质；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务账目、制定储蓄计划，利于财富稳步积累
农历丙午年三月十七，干支为丙午年壬辰月丁丑日，十二神定执位，吉神有玉堂、司命、青龙，凶煞为复日、小耗，当日处于壬辰月招财气场鼎盛时段，又得丙午马年正西方财神总方位加持，整体气场呈现 “土旺生财、水火相济” 的格局，为十二生肖的财富运势奠定了差异化的基调。十二生肖作为中华传统文化的重要符号，其运势推演融合了干支历法、五行生克与星象命理，财富运势更是与个人行事、气场流转紧密相关。
属鼠（子鼠）：冲太岁遇吉星，逆境翻盘财运转2026 丙午马年，子鼠与午马相冲，属鼠人整体处于冲太岁的运势波动期，此前多有事业阻滞、财运起伏、意外破财等情况，财富积累难度较大。但 5 月 3 日是属鼠人 2026 年财富运势的关键转折点，当日 “天德贵人”“福星”“禄星” 三星汇聚命宫，形成 “三吉星拱照” 的大吉格局，彻底扭转冲太岁带来的财运颓势，迎来逆境翻盘、鸿运临门的绝佳时机。
正财方面，今日属鼠人职场正财运势强劲，上班族有望迎来薪资调整、绩效奖金发放，此前被搁置的项目款项、拖欠的薪资大概率能在今日结清；从事销售、业务岗的属鼠人，客户签约率提升，业绩提成远超预期；自主创业的属鼠人，今日易接到优质订单，合作方资金到位及时，营收稳步增长，长期合作的大客户还可能追加投资，为后续正财稳定打下基础。
偏财运势迎来近年高峰，今日属鼠人偏财吉星高照，小额投资易获回报，稳健理财收益可观，长期持有的理财产品、基金可能迎来上涨；有副业的属鼠人，副业订单增多，收益翻倍；同时易有意外之财入账，如亲友馈赠红包、抽奖中奖、追回陈年欠款等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，能有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：虽今日财运旺盛，但冲太岁的余波仍在，需警惕 “小耗” 凶煞影响，避免冲动消费、盲目跟风投资，尤其远离高风险投机项目、陌生理财骗局；日常开销做好规划，避免大额不必要支出；与人合作时仔细核对合同条款，防止因疏忽导致财务纠纷。
开运建议：今日财神吉位在正南方，可在家中或办公室正南方摆放一盆绿植，提升招财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合子鼠五行属水的特质，增强财运；上午 9 点至 11 点梳理财务账目、规划理财方向，易获贵人指点，提升财富收益。
属牛（丑牛）：害太岁暗礁藏，稳守正财防损耗2026 丙午马年，丑牛与午马相害，属牛人陷入害太岁的运势困境，财运暗礁密布、损耗连连，易遇小人作祟、合作纠纷、意外破财等问题，财富积累缓慢且易有突发损失。5 月 3 日，虽整体气场有 “土旺生财” 的助力，但害太岁的负面影响仍较明显，属牛人今日财富运势以 “稳” 为核心，正财尚可维持稳定，偏财平淡且风险较高，需重点防范各类破财风险。
正财方面，今日属牛人正财运势平稳，无明显惊喜但也无重大阻滞。上班族薪资准时到账，绩效、奖金与平日持平，工作推进顺利，无因失误导致的薪资扣减；从事技术、文职、体力劳动等稳定岗位的属牛人，收入稳定，无需担忧失业或薪资缩水问题；自主创业的属牛人，今日营收平平，老客户订单稳定但无新增大客户，新合作洽谈进展缓慢，不宜急于扩张业务、投入大额资金。
偏财运势低迷，今日属牛人偏财几乎无利好，反而暗藏损耗风险。不宜参与任何高风险投资，如股票短线操作、虚拟货币、期货等，极易出现亏损；副业方面，订单减少、收益微薄，甚至可能因副业投入资金而亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如物品损坏维修、交通罚款、亲友借贷难追回等，需格外注意。
守财与风险提示：今日属牛人守财是重中之重，需严控开支，减少非必要消费，避免冲动购物；远离小人，不参与他人财务纠纷，不轻易为他人担保、借贷；合作项目谨慎评估，不盲目信任他人，防止因合作方失信导致财务损失；妥善保管个人财物，避免遗失、被盗。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放黄色玉石摆件，利用五行土生金的原理，增强守财能力；穿戴黄色、棕色衣物，契合丑牛五行属土的特质，抵御害太岁的负面影响；下午 1 点至 3 点整理财务凭证、核对账目，及时发现财务漏洞，减少损耗。
属虎（寅虎）：三合太岁火力旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，寅虎与午马三合，形成 “寅午半合” 火局，属虎人全年运势高涨，财运处于上乘水平，行动力强、贵人运旺，求财阻力小。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁的助力，属虎人财富运势达到当日巅峰，正财稳健上涨、偏财惊喜不断，是十二生肖中财运表现最亮眼的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属虎人正财运势势不可挡，上班族职场表现突出，易获领导赏识，有晋升加薪的机会，核心项目推进顺畅，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、市场、管理岗的属虎人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期；自主创业的属虎人，客源广泛，合作签约顺风顺水，业务拓展无阻力，团队效率高，营收大幅增长，长期合作的贵人还会带来优质资源，助力事业进一步发展。
偏财运势吉星高照，今日属虎人偏财惊喜连连，“金匮” 偏财星助力，小额投资易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属虎人，副业迎来爆发期，订单爆满，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如出差补贴、项目奖金、抽奖中奖、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，能快速充实财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免骄傲自满、挥霍无度，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，为长期财富积累打下基础；远离高风险投机项目，不盲目扩大投资规模，防止因贪念导致亏损；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强火局气场，提升财运；穿戴红色、紫色衣物，契合寅虎五行属木、生火旺财的特质；早上 5 点至 7 点规划今日工作与求财方向，易获贵人助力，提升财富收益。
属兔（卯兔）：破太岁能量泄，守财为主避折腾2026 丙午马年，卯兔与午马破太岁，属兔人自身能量外泄，整体运势起伏较大，付出多回报慢，财运易有损耗，事业合作易生变，人际关系易因误会失和。5 月 3 日，虽有 “土旺生财” 的气场加持，但破太岁的负面影响难以消除，属兔人今日财富运势平淡，正财勉强稳定，偏财毫无起色，需以守财为核心，避免盲目折腾、大额投资。
正财方面，今日属兔人正财运势平稳但乏力，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作推进中易遇小阻碍，需付出更多精力才能完成任务，绩效与平日持平；从事文职、教育、服务行业的属兔人，收入稳定但增长空间有限；自主创业的属兔人，今日营收低迷，老客户流失风险增加，新客户拓展困难，不宜投入大额资金用于业务扩张，维持现状即可。
偏财运势低迷且暗藏风险，今日属兔人偏财几乎无进账，反而易有小额破财。不宜参与任何投资活动，无论是高风险的股票、期货，还是稳健的理财、基金，都易出现收益亏损或本金损失；副业方面，投入与产出不成正比，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易因日常疏忽导致破财，如物品丢失、维修费用、人情往来支出过大等。
守财与风险提示：今日属兔人需严控开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费导致财富流失；不参与他人的投资项目，不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中避免与人发生冲突，维护好人际关系，防止因人际矛盾影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，提高防盗、防遗失意识。
开运建议：今日可在家中卧室摆放绿色植物，补充卯兔五行属木的能量，减少破太岁的损耗；穿戴绿色、青色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务状况，制定后续储蓄计划，助力财富稳步积累。
属龙（辰龙）：财星偏弱起伏，稳守主业慎投资2026 丙午马年，属龙人无犯太岁压力，但财星偏弱、库门不稳，整体财运起伏不定、难有大进，财富积累节奏缓慢，需靠踏实努力逐步提升。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属龙人有一定助力，但财星不足的问题仍较突出，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财尚可维持，偏财平淡，需稳守主业、谨慎投资，避免盲目冒险。
正财方面，今日属龙人正财运势稳定，无明显波动。上班族薪资准时发放，绩效、奖金符合预期，工作中无重大失误，也无突出亮点，稳步推进工作即可获得稳定收入；从事管理、技术、金融行业的属龙人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属龙人，今日营收平平，订单量稳定但无大幅增长，合作项目推进缓慢，不宜急于扩张，深耕现有业务、维护老客户是关键。
偏财运势平淡无奇，今日属龙人偏财几乎无利好消息。小额投资收益微薄，甚至可能因市场波动出现小幅亏损；副业方面，订单较少、收益一般，难以成为主要收入来源；意外之财入账概率极低，不宜抱有侥幸心理参与抽奖、投机等活动，避免浪费钱财。
守财与风险提示：今日属龙人需合理规划开支，避免大额非必要支出，尤其是奢侈品消费、冲动购物；投资方面极度谨慎，远离高风险项目，若有投资需求，仅可投入小额资金参与稳健理财，不可投入全部积蓄；与人合作时仔细评估项目前景，防止因项目失败导致财务损失；定期梳理财务账目，及时发现并解决财务问题。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强财星气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合辰龙五行属土、生金旺财的特质；上午 10 点至 12 点洽谈合作、对接客户，成功率较高，利于正财提升。
属蛇（巳蛇）：食神生财灵气足，正偏双收达峰值2026 丙午马年，巳蛇与午马半合，且食神生财，属蛇人天生赚钱灵感强、机会多，整体财运处于巅峰水平，正偏财俱佳，收入有望创近年峰值。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加半合太岁、食神生财的助力，属蛇人财富运势全面爆发，正财稳步攀升、偏财惊喜不断，是当日财运最旺的生肖之一。
正财方面，今日属蛇人正财运势强劲，上班族职场竞争力凸显，易获领导重用，有加薪升职的机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事销售、创意、金融、技术行业的属蛇人，业绩爆发，提成远超预期，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属蛇人，客源广泛，合作签约顺利，业务拓展迎来黄金期，营收直线上升，贵人助力明显，能快速打开市场，财富积累速度加快。
偏财运势亮点十足，今日属蛇人偏财吉星高照，赚钱灵感迸发，小额投资精准把握时机，易获高额回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属蛇人，副业迎来爆发期，凭借创意与能力获得大量订单，收益远超主业；同时易有意外之财入账，如投资分红、项目奖金、亲友馈赠、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需警惕消费膨胀，避免因收入增加而盲目挥霍，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、固定资产投资，实现财富保值增值；远离高风险投机项目，不被短期高收益诱惑，防止投资亏损；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的重要助力，保持谦逊真诚的态度。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财的气场；穿戴绿色、红色衣物，契合巳蛇五行属火、木火相生旺财的特质；下午 2 点至 4 点进行理财规划、投资决策，易获理想收益。
属马（午马）：本命年值刑太岁，正财稳守控开支2026 丙午马年，是属马人的本命年，值太岁且自刑，整体运势波动较大，内耗严重，财运起伏不定，上半年财运低迷、阻滞较多，下半年逐渐转顺。5 月 3 日，虽处于本命年运势波动期，但当日 “土旺生财” 气场对属马人有一定缓冲作用，今日财富运势以平稳为主，正财勉强稳定，偏财风险极高，需严控开支、规避风险，稳守为主。
正财方面，今日属马人正财运势平稳但压力较大，上班族薪资正常到账，无加薪、奖金惊喜，工作中易遇人际纠纷、决策失误，需谨慎处理工作事务，避免因失误导致薪资扣减或影响职业发展；从事稳定岗位、体制内工作的属马人，收入稳定，无失业风险；自主创业的属马人，今日营收平平，市场竞争激烈，订单量不稳定，易因资金周转困难导致经营压力，不宜盲目扩张业务。
偏财运势极差，暗藏重大破财风险。今日属马人偏财不宜触碰，任何投资活动都易出现亏损，高风险项目更是大忌；副业方面，投入多回报少，收益微薄甚至亏本；同时易有意外破财情况，如交通意外、物品损坏、医疗支出、人情往来大额开销等，需格外谨慎。
守财与风险提示：今日属马人需严格控制开支，减少一切非必要消费，理性购物，避免冲动消费；不参与任何投资、投机活动，远离理财骗局、非法集资；工作中避免与人发生冲突，谨言慎行，防止因小人作祟影响正财收入；妥善保管个人财物，注意出行安全，减少意外破财概率。
开运建议：今日可在家中客厅摆放红色吉祥物，化解本命年值刑太岁的负面影响；穿戴红色、黄色衣物，增强自身气场；晚上 8 点至 10 点梳理财务账目，制定储蓄计划，缓解财务压力。
属羊（未羊）：六合太岁财气旺，正财偏财双丰收2026 丙午马年，未羊与午马六合，属羊人成为全年头号旺运生肖，六合太岁加持，福星照拂，贵人运爆棚，财运稳居顶尖水平。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加六合太岁的强力助力，属羊人财运全面爆发，是与财神结善缘的首选生肖，正财稳固上涨、偏财惊喜连连，财富如潮水般滚滚而来。
正财方面，今日属羊人正财运势势不可挡，职场上得贵人指路，核心项目推进顺畅，上班族晋升机会大增，薪资、奖金、项目分红源源不断，收入稳步攀升；从事医疗、教育、餐饮、文化行业的属羊人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，提成丰厚；自主创业的属羊人，客源稳定增长，合作签约毫无阻力，业务拓展顺畅，团队凝聚力强，营收大幅上涨，贵人带来优质资源与合作机会，助力事业更上一层楼。
偏财运势吉星高照，惊喜不断。今日属羊人偏财有多重利好，稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属羊人，副业订单爆满，收益远超预期；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款、亲友馈赠等，偏财进账金额可观，积少成多，助力财库快速充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运虽旺，但需避免盲目扩张、冲动投资，合理规划财富分配，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财或固定资产配置，实现财富保值增值；不盲目挥霍，保持勤俭节约的习惯，防止财富流失；维护好贵人关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人宽厚真诚，积累更多人际福气。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放黄色玉石摆件，增强六合旺财气场；穿戴黄色、米色衣物，契合未羊五行属土的特质；上午 8 点至 10 点洽谈合作、拓展业务，成功率极高，利于财富积累。
属猴（申猴）：三合贵人助财运，正偏俱佳稳增长2026 丙午马年，申猴与岁星三合，贵人云集，整体财运处于上乘水平，正偏财俱佳，创意与副业易带来额外进账，财富积累稳步推进。5 月 3 日，当日 “土旺生财” 气场叠加三合贵人助力，属猴人财富运势亮眼，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，整体运势顺畅，求财阻力小。
正财方面，今日属猴人正财运势稳定上涨，上班族工作效率高，创意点子多，易获领导认可，有加薪、奖金机会，核心工作完成出色，绩效丰厚；从事创意、互联网、销售、技术行业的属猴人，业绩突出，提成远超预期，收入稳步提升；自主创业的属猴人，合作项目推进顺利，贵人助力明显，客源稳定，营收平稳增长，业务拓展有序，无重大资金压力。
偏财运势表现不俗，今日属猴人偏财有惊喜。小额投资精准把握时机，易获不错回报，稳健理财收益可观；有副业的属猴人，凭借创意与灵活头脑，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有小额意外之财入账，如红包、补贴、退款、抽奖小奖等，偏财进账虽单笔金额不大，但积少成多，有效补充财库。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需防突发开销，合理规划开支，预留部分资金应对紧急情况；投资方面避免盲目跟风，远离高风险投机项目，理性决策；与人合作时保持诚信，维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的关键；定期梳理财务状况，优化理财配置，提升财富收益。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放白色水晶摆件，增强三合旺财气场；穿戴白色、金色衣物，契合申猴五行属金的特质；下午 3 点至 5 点进行副业规划、理财决策，易获理想收益。
属鸡（酉鸡）：正财稳健偏财平，稳守主业防小人2026 丙午马年，属鸡人无犯太岁压力，但财星平淡，整体财运以正财为主、偏财为辅，正财稳定增长，偏财平淡无奇，需靠专业能力提升收入，夏季易遇小人搅局。5 月 3 日，当日气场 “土旺生财” 对属鸡人有一定助力，今日财富运势平稳，正财稳中有升、偏财平淡，需稳守主业、防范小人，理性理财。
正财方面，今日属鸡人正财运势稳中有升，上班族工作认真负责，专业能力凸显，易获领导赏识，薪资准时到账，绩效奖金、业务提成有望今日到账；从事专业技术、文职、销售、服务行业的属鸡人，收入稳定，有小幅增长空间；自主创业的属鸡人，营收平稳，老客户稳定，新客户拓展缓慢，合作项目推进顺利，无重大财务问题。
偏财运势平淡，无明显利好。今日属鸡人偏财几乎无大额进账，小额理财收益微薄，副业订单较少、收益一般；易有小额意外之财入账，如亲友红包、平台补贴、退款等，积少成多但难成气候；不宜参与高风险投资、投机活动，避免亏损。
守财与风险提示：今日属鸡人需防范小人作祟，工作中不轻易泄露财务信息，不参与他人财务纠纷，防止小人背后使坏导致破财；合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；理财以稳健为主，远离高风险项目，可将资金用于储蓄、低风险理财；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可提升正财运势。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放红色盆栽，增强正财气场；穿戴白色、金色、浅黄色衣物，契合酉鸡五行属金的特质；早上 7 点至 9 点整理工作资料、规划工作方向，利于正财提升。
属狗（戌狗）：三合太岁人脉旺，人脉变财脉稳2026 丙午马年，戌狗与午马三合，寅午戌三合火局，属狗人全年贵人运旺，人脉变财脉，财运处于上乘水平，正财稳中有升、奖金分红可期，合作共赢概率高。5 月 3 日，壬辰月水土相济的招财气场叠加三合太岁助力，属狗人财富运势顺畅，正财稳步增长、偏财有惊喜，人脉助力明显，求财轻松。
正财方面，今日属狗人正财运势稳中有升，职场能见度飙升，有掌权、晋升机会，上班族薪资准时到账，福利、补贴齐全，绩效奖金、项目分红丰厚；从事教育、能源、餐饮、管理行业的属狗人，优势凸显，业绩亮眼，收入大幅增长；自主创业的属狗人，合作伙伴靠谱，项目推进顺利，客源稳定增长，营收稳步上涨，贵人带来优质合作机会，助力事业发展。
偏财运势表现良好，今日属狗人偏财有惊喜。稳健理财收益可观，长期投资项目迎来回报期；有副业的属猴人，副业订单增多，收益可观；同时易有意外之财入账，如红包、奖金、抽奖中奖、追回欠款等，偏财进账金额可观，助力财库充盈。
守财与风险提示：今日财运顺畅，但需避免冲动消费、盲目投资，合理分配财富，将部分收益用于储蓄、稳健理财，实现财富保值增值；维护好人脉关系，贵人是持续招财的核心助力，待人真诚宽厚，积累更多人脉资源；远离高风险投机项目，理性决策，防止投资亏损。It was a ministerial vow. That same month the bishopric of Hereford was filled, but not by Swift. In April, when the treaty of Utrecht had at last been signed and Swift considered his work done, there were vacant preferments on every tree: in England the deaneries of Wells, Ely, and Lichfield and the canonry of Windsor; in Ireland the bishoprics of Raphoe and Dromore. Not one of them fell to Swift. Oxford shuffled. Bolingbroke had Swift to dinner. The Archbishop of York shook his head. The Duchess[Pg 119] of Somerset hissed. The Queen held out. She would not have Swift a dean or canon in England, or a bishop anywhere. Help came from the Duke of Ormond. If the present dean of St. Patrick’s in Dublin might be made Bishop of Dromore, Swift could have that deanery. The Queen consented.
Oxford suddenly became eager to keep Swift in England. Let him be prebendary of Windsor. “Thus,” wrote Swift, “he perplexes things. I expect neither. But I confess, as much as I love England, I am so angry at this treatment that if I had my choice I would rather have St. Patrick’s.” Did he remember that his old friend Robert Hunter, now governor of New York, had lately written that he wished Swift could come to be bishop there? No matter. The appointment was patched up, and Swift became, as he was to be for the rest of his life, the Dean of St. Patrick’s.
“All that the Court or Ministry did for me was to let me choose my station in the country where I am banished.” He was not even allowed to become Historiographer, to chronicle the reign which he no longer influenced.
This was the career and this the climax of Swift’s life among the great. After a summer in Ireland he was, it is true, called back to London for the fourth and last winter of the Ministry, but his own future was settled, and his time was chiefly taken up with keeping the peace between Oxford and Bolingbroke. They were, it seemed to Swift, “a ship’s crew quarrelling in[Pg 120] a storm, or while their enemies are within gunshot.” The fellowship of love had ceased to exist even for Swift’s loyal eyes.
The victors were wrangling over the spoils. What about their futures? The Queen would not live for ever. The Elector of Hanover, upon whom the Succession had been fixed, was certain to be favourable to the Whigs. Both Oxford and Bolingbroke, both secretly, were dealing with the Pretender, willing to ruin the Succession if they could bring in a prince favourable to Tories. Meanwhile the mutinous Bolingbroke had determined to be first minister himself. Out-intriguing Oxford, he won Oxford’s cousin, now Lady Masham, to another allegiance. London and Windsor buzzed and rumbled. All winter and all spring Swift struggled to divert or pacify the wranglers. Their war went on. Swift, despairing, took to a dull, angry retreat in Berkshire. In July 1714 Oxford was forced to break the white staff of his office. Bolingbroke, however, did not supplant him. In five days the Queen died. The Whiggish Elector was to become George I. Marlborough, returning from the Continent, entered London with two hundred men on horseback, drums, and fifty coaches.
Swift, in a letter to Oxford, said farewell to such power as he had had. “In your public capacity,” he told him, “you have often angered me to the heart, but as a private man, never once.... I will never[Pg 121] write to you, if I can help it, otherwise than as to a private person, nor allow myself to have been obliged by you in any other capacity. The memory of one great instance of your candour and justice I will carry to my grave: that having been in a manner domestic with you for almost four years, it was never in the power of any public or concealed enemy to make you think ill of me, though malice and envy were often employed to that end. If I live, posterity shall know that and more, which ... is all the return I can make you. Will you give me leave to say how I would desire to stand in your memory: as one who was truly sensible of the honour you did him, though he was too proud to be vain upon it; as one who was neither assuming, officious, nor teasing, who never wilfully misrepresented persons or facts to you, nor consulted his passions when he gave a character; and lastly, as one whose indiscretions proceeded altogether from a weak head, and not an ill heart? I will add one thing more, which is the highest compliment I can make: that I was never afraid of offending you, nor am I now in any pain for the manner I write to you in. I have said enough; and, like one at your levee, having made my bow, I shrink back into the crowd.”
3
Hardly had Swift reached London in 1710 when he sat four hours one morning to the fashionable Charles[Pg 122] Jervas, who, having begun a portrait on Swift’s previous visit to England, now gave the picture “quite another turn.” Perhaps he put the gleam of higher prospects into those eyes which in their extreme moods ranged from fire to stone. Full-lidded, bold even under the dark and heavy brows, humorously but not secretively averted, they seemed in the portrait to glance at something and to stare at everything. Swift’s periwig did not conceal his proud, arched forehead. His clerical bands plumped out his well-nourished, worldly chin, double and dimpled. His nose was both inquiring and commanding, ready to be contemptuous at the first excuse. But about his mouth there were the signs of another nature, sensitive, nervous, never calm. The corners would twitch easily, the lips tremble: the lower disciplined to a counterfeit of straightness, but the upper, short and friendly, indisciplinably sweet.
This was the face of a man whom nothing on earth could over-awe, yet who would assert himself too much out of mere touchiness. He would frighten others yet would hold them, fascinated, dangerously near him. He would give and receive much love and little happiness. This was the face that was to be among the best known in London for four years, this stout body somewhat taller than most men’s, this mind more restless than any man’s.
Jonathan Swift
During the Oxford Ministry
The Jervas portrait was but the notation of a few hours. The true likeness of Swift in his days of power [Pg 123]he drew himself, in the journal-letters to Stella which he posted whenever his sheet of paper was full. Before he left his bed in the morning, after he got into it at night, at any time during the day, Swift set down, with minor interruptions, a continuous account of all, or almost all, he did. He took it for granted that Stella was interested in whatever concerned him. His journal was partly news sent from the great world to a friend waiting in a small one, but it was partly, also, a detailed memorandum written as for his other self. He could be confiding, indiscreet, coarse, boastful, hilarious, tender, admonitory, savage, absurd, pouring out what came to him as it came. He wrote now as if this were a letter to Stella and Rebecca Dingley both, or to either of them; now as if it were a conversation with himself, in the knowledge that they, and only they, would hear.
The journal was so intimate that he fell often into a foolish “little language,” like a giant talking to a baby with what he imagined was the baby’s vocabulary and pronunciation—or like a lover using silly words in despair of finding any that were serious enough. Swift’s baby-talk was a joke kept up between him and Stella, a note of tenderness struck in this way for want of a chance to sound it with a voice. But he did not talk down to her. He told her his life.
“I was this morning at ten at the rehearsal of Mr. Addison’s play, called Cato, which is to be acted[Pg 124] on Friday. There were not above half-a-score of us to see it. We stood on the stage, and it was foolish enough to see the actors prompted every moment, and the poet directing them; and the drab that acts Cato’s daughter out in the midst of a passionate part and then calling out ‘What’s next?’ The Bishop of Clogher was there too, but he stood privately in a gallery. I went to dine with Lord Treasurer, but he was gone to Wimbledon, his daughter Carmarthen’s country seat, seven miles off. So I went back and dined privately with Mr. Addison, whom I had left to go to Lord Treasurer. I keep fires yet; I am very extravagant. I sat this evening with Sir Andrew Fountaine.... It is rainy weather again; nevle saw ze rike [never saw the like]. This letter shall go tomorrow. Remember, ung oomens, it is seven weeks since your last, and I allow oo but five weeks. But oo have been galloping in the country.”
The variety of Swift’s days was in the persons he met and talked with. His habits had the regularity which goes with being virtuous and poor. He made, however, no virtue of his poverty. “I love these shabby difficulties when they are over; but I hate them, because they arise from not having a thousand pounds a year.”
Though he liked best to make his own meal of a single dish, he despised a skimpy table. Though he liked to walk, and took a chair or coach only in bad weather, he minded the expense when he had to ride, not his loss of an opportunity to trudge like a hero. He[Pg 125] thought he was extravagant about fires, but when he shivered in his lodgings it was because coal cost money, not because shivering exalted his spirit. He avoided fruit, he more or less gave up snuff, he put water in his wine. All these asceticisms were for the sake of his treacherous health, as was the brandy that he drank, as were the pills and purges, the drops and ointments with which he fought his many attacks of giddiness. But never once did he rejoice in the endurance of a saint or the glory of a martyr. He did not relish even the fasts of his Church. “I hate Lent. I hate different diets, and furmity and butter, and herb porridge, and sour devout faces of people who only put on religion for seven weeks.”
Swift was a man of his world in his frank admiration for power, station, wealth, comfort, elegance, urbanity, learning, wit, manners. He had come to England to seek a better society than there was in Laracor or Dublin. His natural handicaps—passion, intensity, genius—were enough. He would not pretend that his lack of fortune was a merit. He complained of it, desired to mend it, and kept the best company he could.
Each morning in his various London lodgings Patrick, the servant whom Swift had brought over from Ireland, woke his master early, not always the first time he called. Swift’s sleep was heavy but disturbed. “I was dreaming the most melancholy things of poor Ppt [Poppet], and was grieving and crying all[Pg 126] night.” Awake, he was likely to stay in bed till the room was warm, writing, often still by candlelight, as if Stella and Dingley were beside him. “Morning. I am going this morning to see Prior, who dines with me at Mr. Harley’s; so I can’t stay fiddling and talking with dear little brats in a morning, and ’tis terribly cold. I wish my cold hand was in the warmest place about you, young women. I’d give ten guineas upon that account with all my heart, faith. Oh, it starves my thigh. So I’ll rise and bid you good morrow, my ladies both, good morrow. Come, stand away, let me rise. Patrick, take away the candle. Is there a good fire? So—up adazy.”
Shaving, every second or third day; brandy, on days when he was giddy; breakfast of milk porridge or a cake Stella’s mother had made him: these got Swift ready for his day. He might write at home, all day when he was busiest, sending out for a chop and a pot of ale for his dinner. But usually he put on periwig, boots, and black gown with pudding-sleeves, and left the house, walking, about his pleasure or his affairs. Perhaps he had morning tea or chocolate with some of the ladies who delighted in his fame and insolence. Perhaps he conferred with his printers in the City. Perhaps he waited on one of the lords of his political fellowship. There were many amusements in London. “Lady Kerry, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Cadogan, and I in one coach, Lady Kerry’s son and his governor and two[Pg 127] gentlemen in another, maids and misses and little master (Lord Shelburne’s children) in a third, all hackneys, set out at ten o’clock this morning from Lord Shelburne’s house in Piccadilly to the Tower, and saw all the sights, lions, etc., then to Bedlam; then dined at the chop-house behind the Exchange; then to Gresham College (but the keeper was not at home); and concluded the night at the puppet-show, whence we came home safe at eight.”
The pivot of Swift’s day was dinner, usually at three. First with Whigs, then with Tories, he dined through the town and out of it. “That’s something charms me mightily about London, that you go dine a dozen miles off in October, stay all day, and return so quickly. You cannot do anything like this in Dublin.” Within a month after the Whigs clutched at him he had more invitations than he had afternoons. He was a wit and scholar; he was a man of influence with the Ministry. Noblemen with axes to grind begged him to come to their tables. Men less interested in his power no less eagerly took up the fashion. Obliging hosts urged him to make his own terms.
“I dined today with a lady of my acquaintance, who was sick, in her bedchamber, upon three herrings and a chicken; the dinner was my bespeaking.” “Dr. Arbuthnot ... yesterday gave me my choice of place, persons, and victuals for today. So I chose to dine with Mrs. Hill ... Mrs. Masham’s sister; no company[Pg 128] but us three, and to have a shoulder of mutton, a small one; which was exactly, only there was too much victuals besides, and the Doctor’s wife was of the company.” Nor did Swift make terms only with friends of his own level. Bolingbroke “showed me his bill of fare to tempt me to dine with him. Poh, said I, I value not your bill of fare. Give me your bill of company.” About both the food and the other diners Swift was firm. At the Earl of Abingdon’s “we had nothing but fish.... Our wine was poison.... His carps were raw, and his candles tallow. He shall not catch me in haste again.” And again: “I left a friend’s house today where I was invited, just when dinner was setting on, and pretended I was engaged, because I saw some fellows I did not know.”
Better a slice of mutton in his lodgings than indifferent or too numerous dishes; better his own company than that of “persons unknown, as bad, for aught I know, as your deans, parsons, and curates.” Swift rode high, and all Tory London encouraged him.
At many houses where he dined the guests stayed on for the evening. Swift chose generally to leave at six, to walk in Hyde Park, to visit other friends, to sit in a coffee house—though after a few months of his influence with Oxford he gave up coffee houses as too public. Many of his evenings he went home to write, at first an occasional Tatler, then his weekly Examiner, afterwards his pamphlets, at any time his stinging[Pg 129] verses. In his lodgings he might find that Patrick had forgotten the fire or had neglected to buy coal or had gone off with the key with which Swift’s papers were locked up. There would be abuse and apology, neither of which meant anything. The most regular interruptions of Swift’s evenings came from Oxford, who kept “cursed hours,” sometimes did not dine till five, and liked Swift to be with him at supper. “I hate these suppers mortally, but I seldom eat anything.” Such evenings with Oxford were likely to be long and convivial, and wearing to Swift, who drank little, ate less, liked as well to sit beside card-players as to play himself, and was soon bored by ordinary conversation.
Yet when he had reached his bed and had put on his nightgown and velvet nightcap—the fur-trimmed one which Dingley sent was “too little and too hot”—he remembered, no matter how late it was, the journal. “Pshaw, I must be writing to those dear saucy brats every night, whether I will or no, let me have what business I will, or come home ever so late, or be ever so sleepy; but an old saying and a true one,
“‘Be you lords or be you earls,
You must write to naughty girls.’”
Widely as Swift dined, three days a week were for much of the year given to his special friends. On Sunday, after going to Court, which he said served him “as a coffee house,” he usually dined with Bolingbroke.[Pg 130] “Mr. Secretary had too much company with him today; so I came away soon after dinner. I give no man liberty to swear or talk bawdy, and I found some of them were in constraint, so I left them to themselves.” On Saturday Swift dined with Oxford for what the first minister called his “whipping day”—the day, that is, when the informal cabinet reviewed the past week and designed the next. “This company, at first, consisted only of the Lord Keeper Harcourt, the Earl Rivers, the Earl of Peterborough, Mr. Secretary St. John, and myself; and here, after dinner, they used to discourse and settle matters of great importance. Several lords were afterwards, by degrees, admitted.... These meetings were always continued except when the Queen was at Windsor; but, as they grew more numerous, became of less consequence, and ended only in drinking and general conversation.” The matters of great importance were the Ministry’s policies and intrigues. The general conversation has been lost.
Swift told Stella only that he and his friends had talked, seldom what they had said. Once, not on a Saturday, when he had opposed the appointment of a certain commissioner to Spain because he was a “most covetous cur,” Swift reported the argument with Oxford. “I went on and said it was a shame to send him; to which he agreed, but desired I would name some who understood business and do not love money, for he could not find them. I said there was something[Pg 131] in a treasurer different from other men; that we ought not to make a man a bishop who does not love divinity, or a general who does not love war; and I wondered why the Queen would make a man lord treasurer who does not love money.... Is it not silly to write all this? But it gives you an idea what our conversation is with mixed company.” When the Earl of Nottingham had deserted to the Whig side “Lord Treasurer was hinting as if he wished a ballad was made on him, and I will get up one against tomorrow.... I was this morning making the ballad, two degrees above Grub Street ... and then went to dine with our Society.... The printer came before we parted, and brought the ballad, which made them laugh very heartily a dozen times.”
The Society which laughed at the ballad claimed the third fixed dinner of Swift’s week, Thursday, though only during the session of Parliament. Bolingbroke seems to have planned the club in June 1711, when Swift was in the country with Lord Shelburne. It was to be small, weighty, and decent, without the extravagance of the Kit-Cat or the drunkenness of the Beef-Steak, was to be made up of men of wit and men of influence, and was to have for its two great ends “the improvement of friendship and the encouragement of letters.” Swift, back in town, found himself among the original twelve members and at once the eagerest. “If we go on as we begin,” he wrote to Stella,[Pg 132] “no other club in this town will be worth talking of.” The men of wit were Swift, Prior, and John Arbuthnot, the Queen’s physician. There were three times as many men of influence. Oxford and Harcourt were excluded, since the club meant to appeal to them for patronage. But their sons were chosen, and Oxford’s son-in-law, Viscount Dupplin, and Samuel Masham, the husband of Oxford’s whispering cousin. There were, also, Bolingbroke, Sir Robert Raymond, Solicitor General, Allen Bathurst, George Granville, Secretary at War, and Sir William Wyndham.
The members, putting off their titles when they dined, called each other “Brother.” Each in turn was president of the dinner and paid the bill until all had had turns, after which the charges of each dinner were divided among them. They dined sometimes at the houses of the members, more often at taverns. The dozen or so brothers added after the first twelve were all on the side of influence rather than of wit. The richer members, who were men of influence, ran up the cost of their dinners so that the poorer, who were men of wit, could not afford it. Yet Swift, though he winced at his bill for seven guineas, for a year and a half was happy. Power and learning had sat down in an equal brotherhood. When the Duke of Ormond brought his brother the Earl of Arran, who was not a member, to a meeting against all order, Swift opposed his election to the face of the Earl and the Duke. But [Pg 133]Swift was exultant when four of his brothers were among the twelve peers whom Oxford packed into the House of Lords: the son-in-law Dupplin, the cousin-in-law Masham, Bathurst, and Granville.
Esther Vanhomrigh (Vanessa)
In Ireland
It took Swift a year and a half to realize how much more skill than he the men of influence had at getting what they wanted. Having odd wells of enthusiasm in him, he had imagined that a club of politicians could be as much interested in the encouragement of letters as in the improvement of friendship.
The day after the first meeting in June 1711 he urged Oxford to leave Congreve, though a Whig, in his post. Oxford said he would. Swift hurried off to Congreve with the news. “So I have made a worthy man happy, and that is a good day’s work.” And Swift that same day had larger plans. “I am proposing to my Lord to erect a society or academy for correcting and settling our language, that we may not perpetually be changing as we do. He enters mightily into it.” The pamphlet on “correcting, ascertaining, and improving the English tongue” was the only piece of writing Swift ever published with his name. He wrote again like a governor, demanding that the language be orderly and stable, regulated by a lawful academy. He wrote, no less, like a brother of the Society, appealing to Oxford to become the patron of worthy, needy men of letters. Nothing came of these proposals, though Oxford brimmed with promises.
[Pg 134]
Swift undertook to raise money among the members. In February 1713 he had collected sixty guineas and was “to give them away to two authors tomorrow; and Lord Treasurer has promised us a hundred pounds to reward some others.” The sixty pounds went to the two authors, but there was another in worse need. That was “little Harrison,” a young Oxford poet for whom Swift had one of his profound, inexplicable tendernesses. “I went in the morning, and found him mighty ill, and got ... an order for a hundred pounds from the Treasury to be paid him tomorrow; and I have got him removed to Knightsbridge for air.” The next day: “I ... desired a friend to receive the hundred pounds for poor Harrison, and will carry it to him tomorrow morning.” The day after that: “I took Parnell this morning, and we walked to see poor Harrison. I had the hundred pounds in my pocket. I told Parnell I was afraid to knock at the door; my mind misgave me. I knocked, and his man in tears told me his master was dead an hour before.... Lord Treasurer was much concerned when I told him. I could not dine with Lord Treasurer nor anywhere else, but got a bit of meat toward evening.”
This pathetic episode, hardly more than a touch of melodrama in the general drama of Swift’s venture, cut him more sharply than his own mounting disappointment. He had thought that though he might not help himself he might at least help others. Now it[Pg 135] seemed he could not do even that. He had only kept a few Whig poets in their places. His scheme for an academy which was to honour and establish letters among the English was still a mere scheme somewhere on the wind. The Ministry which he had served was not, after all, to be renowned for its patronage to learning. The man of wit had looked vainly to the men of influence.
What Swift, whose pride played tricks with his vision, did not see was that he had exploited his wit much as Oxford had exploited all the wit at his command. Oxford had used such men of letters as could be bent to his political concerns. Swift had bent his talents to pamphlets and lampoons about the most temporary matters. From Prior he had learned to write verse more lightly as from Addison he had learned to write more smoothly. Swift had poured his tremendous prose on the ground, careless what became of it. Obsessed with the desire for power, he had tried to win it by such force as politicians use, not by the art natural to him; among his pretended brothers the Dupplins and Mashams, not among his true friends the Arbuthnots and Popes.
4
During his final winter in England Swift turned to his true friends. It was not because he had found where he belonged. It was because he knew he had failed to[Pg 136] belong elsewhere. He was not a bishop. He was not even an English dean. He was only a great writer, author of a great satire, making his first plans for the greatest of satires, meditating a revenge. But his revenge hardly went, that year, beyond a prospectus. He and Arbuthnot had taken up the rising young poets Parnell, Gay, and Pope. All five met Saturday evenings at Arbuthnot’s rooms in St. James’s Palace, where the Scriblerus Club, as they called themselves, plotted a burlesque biography which was to ridicule false learning.
Oxford had called Swift Dr. Martin, “because martin is a sort of a swallow, and so is a swift.” From that had come the name of Martinus Scriblerus, a phantom pedant whose career the Club was to trace through all his foolish blunders. The leader seems to have been Arbuthnot. “To talk of Martin in any hands but yours,” Swift wrote to him, “is a folly. You every day give better hints than all of us together could do in a twelvemonth.... Pope, who first thought of the hint, has no genius at all to it, in my mind. Gay is too young. Parnell has some ideas of it, but is idle. I could put together, and lard, and strike out well enough. But all that relates to the sciences must be from you.” Arbuthnot wrote the history of Martin’s youth and education so wittily that Sterne later pilfered from it for his history of Tristram Shandy. Pope, hunting among contemporary poets for examples of bathos,[Pg 137] “the art of sinking in poetry,” took the first steps in his war upon the dunces. Swift was to exhibit Martin on his travels, and had already thought of taking him among pigmies, among giants, among fantastic scientists.
The break in the Ministry and the death of the Queen scattered the Scriblerus Club. Though the members often spoke of it in their letters, the treatise remained fragments. “I must be a little easy in my mind before I can think of Scriblerus,” Swift wrote to Pope. It was not merely an uneasy mind which kept Swift from going on with the project. Whether or not he was yet aware of it, the scheme was too small for him. He could no longer be content, as he might have been in the days of the Tale of a Tub, to ridicule pedants.
Swift certainly was not aware, at the Saturday meetings of the Club, that his friends had by nature a better art than he could ever learn: the art of valuing their best gifts most, the art of being satisfied to be themselves. What he did with them he thought of as play. His work, he thought, was his efforts, vain as they were, in behalf of Oxford and Bolingbroke. He stood between the ministers and the poets, eager to be generous. “Of all the world,” Pope wrote, “you are the man, without flattery, who serve your friends with the least ostentation. It is almost ingratitude to thank you, considering your temper.” Swift introduced[Pg 138] Parnell to the ministers and interested Bolingbroke in Parnell’s poetry. Swift helped Gay to his post as secretary with the envoy to Hanover. Swift got for Pope’s translation of Homer such a list of subscribers as no book had ever had in England. Swift struck the vein which in Arbuthnot “lay like a mine in the earth, which the owner for a long time never knew of.” But Swift did not take a benefit from their examples.
How could he? Parnell was humble and drifting. Gay was sensual and lazy, ready to be any man’s dependent, troubled only because patrons were too few. Pope was first and last a poet who schemed, fought, and lived for his art, as Swift for action. Arbuthnot was a man of learning and judgment, of whom Swift said that he had “more wit than we all have” and Pope said that in wit and humour he was “superior to all mankind”; but Arbuthnot was not ambitious or misanthropic. He might scorn the world, but he amply took it as it came. Of all the patterns by which these others shaped their lives, not a single pattern fitted Swift.
When, after a summer spent in dejected, furious retirement at Letcombe in Berkshire, writing various apologias for the fallen Ministry, Swift went back to Ireland in September 1714, he was beaten but not reconciled. His impulse was still towards the central fountains of honour and profit and power. His obsessive desire to master and direct had not, after all his[Pg 139] disappointments, left him in even a sullen peace. Having been beaten, and not reconciled, he could not study his failure in a clear light. He did not understand that with his gifts, wit and learning, passion and intensity and genius, he had been at a disadvantage with men who had wealth and office, and that though he could pass them in the long run, he could not be immediately equal with them. The fault, as he explained it to himself, did not lie in his passion to do what he was not chiefly designed to do, nor in the incompetence and deviousness of his political associates, nor in the catastrophe of the Queen’s death. It lay, he somehow concluded, in the very constitution of human life.
Let virtue work and sweat as it would to bring order out of the dirty chaos, nothing permanent could come of it. For a time a few resolute men might hold up the dreadful weight with their shoulders. But if there should be one tremor, the momentary pattern would collapse and the parts of it return to their obstinate disorder. There was no hope. Scorn and hate were all that any virtuous or reasonable man could feel towards mankind.
[Pg 140]
V
DEAN AND PATRIOT
1
Jeers followed Swift out of England, and jeers greeted him in Ireland. Dublin was full of Whigs. Laracor, which he had kept along with his deanery, was desolate. “I would retire too, if I could,” he wrote after a month to Bolingbroke, “but my country seat, where I have an acre of ground, is gone to ruin. The wall of my own apartment is fallen down, and I want mud to rebuild it and straw to thatch it. Besides, a spiteful neighbour has seized on six feet of ground, carried off my trees, and spoiled my grove.... I have not fortitude enough to go and see those devastations. But, in return, I live a country life in town, see nobody, and go every day once to prayers; and hope, in a few months, to grow as stupid as the present situation of affairs will require. Well, after all, parsons are not such bad company, especially when they are under subjection; and I let none but such come near me.” So a banished general might have said it was not so bad to spend his time drilling a squad of militia in a distant province.
[Pg 141]
“You are to understand,” Swift wrote after ten months to Pope, “that I live in the corner of a vast unfurnished house. My family consists of a steward, a groom, a helper in the stables, a footman, and an old maid who are all at board wages, and when I do not dine abroad or make an entertainment, which last is very rare, I eat a mutton pie and drink half a pint of wine. My amusements are defending my small dominions against the archbishop and endeavouring to reduce my rebellious choir.” So a deposed prime minister might have turned his hand to the government of a village.
Swift did not neglect his chores. He set to work to subdue the “three and twenty dignitaries and prebendaries” who made up his chapter at St. Patrick’s. The chapter yielded. He began to resist his superiors, particularly the bishops who had deprived him of credit for the grant of the First Fruits. The bishops became wary. Even in Laracor, where Swift was only vicar, he demanded better manners from the Welsh bishop of the diocese, and, somewhat later, wrote to him as vicars seldom write to bishops: “I am only sorry that you, who are of a country famed for good nature, have found a way to unite the hasty passion of your own countrymen with the long, sedate resentment of a Spaniard; but I have an honourable hope that this proceeding has been more owing to party than complexion.” Though Swift refused for half a dozen years[Pg 142] to mix in the business of the world which had defeated him, he was, from the first, gigantic and ominous in his exile.
There was need of caution. During his stay in England he had got out of touch with Irish affairs, as well as out of sympathy. London had run him into debt. As dean and vicar he was to have about six or seven hundred pounds a year when he could get them: an income which made him, he said, the poorest man in Ireland who dined off plate and the richest who did not drive his carriage. But the installation at St. Patrick’s cost a thousand pounds and several stringent years. The Whigs suspected Swift, like the late ministers, of disloyalty to George I. The suspicion was absurd. “I look upon the coming of the Pretender,” Swift said, “as a greater evil than any we are likely to suffer under the worst Whig ministry that can be found.” Yet when Oxford, Bolingbroke, and Ormond—“three persons from among the rest of mankind on whose friendship and protection I might depend, whose conversation I most valued and chiefly confined myself to”—were charged with the treason of plotting to bring the Pretender in, when Ormond and Bolingbroke escaped to France and Oxford went to the Tower, Swift shared their odium.
The authorities, intercepting letters sent to him, had a chance to read nothing more treasonable than these words from Ormond: “We have no new favourite, nor[Pg 143] never can. You have left so sweet a relish by your conversation upon all our pleasures that we cannot bear the thoughts of intimacy with any person.” With the wives of Bolingbroke and Ormond Swift carried on a guarded correspondence. To Oxford, in the Tower, he wrote without reserve, making him “the humblest offers of my poor service and attendance”—attendance, that is, in prison if Oxford would permit it. “It is the first time I ever solicited you in my own behalf, and if I am refused I think it will be the first request you ever refused me. I do not conceive myself obliged to regulate my opinions by the proceedings of a House of Lords or Commons; and therefore, however they may acquit themselves in your Lordship’s case, I shall take the liberty of thinking and calling you the ablest and faithfulest minister, the truest lover of your country, that this age hath produced.” Oxford’s son kept the letter “as a family monument.” Oxford himself acknowledged it two years later.
While the Jacobite odium hung over Swift he declared, not quite in earnest, that he would hide himself away in Guernsey or Wales for the rest of his life. The world was too hateful to live in. Yet what most distressed him was his grief over the friends with whom he could no longer be “familiar and customary.” “When I leave a country without a probability of returning,” he wrote to Pope, “I think as seldom as I can of what I loved or esteemed in it, to avoid the[Pg 144] desiderium which of all things makes life most uneasy.” And to Arbuthnot he wrote: “Writing to you would make me stark mad. Judge his condition who has nothing to keep him from being miserable but endeavouring to forget those for whom he has the greatest value, love, and friendship.”
His friends would not let him sink into such a gulf. “Never,” Arbuthnot answered him, “repeat that melancholy, tender word, that you will endeavour to forget me. I am sure I never can forget you till I meet with, what is impossible, another whose conversation I can delight so much in as Dr. Swift’s.... That hearty, sincere friendship, that plain and open ingenuity in all your commerce, is what I am sure I can never find in another man. I shall want often a faithful monitor, one that would vindicate me behind my back and tell me my faults to my face.” Pope wrote to him of “the constant esteem and affection I am both obliged and inclined to have for you,” and said he regarded him “as a friend in another world,” much as he regarded his patron saint. Bolingbroke wrote that for a half hour’s conversation with Swift he would “barter whole hours of life.” For a year or more Swift could hardly bring himself to reply. Then, however, the rigour of his despair began to leave him, his wit to come out of the lair where it had sulked.
To Pope, in 1716, Swift pointed out the use of fools, who, in his opinion, were “as necessary for a good[Pg 145] writer as pen, ink, and paper.” He could take enough interest in wit to propose to Gay the subject of another pastoral. “What think you of a Newgate pastoral, among the whores and thieves there?” In 1717 he wrote once more to Addison, now Secretary of State, congratulating Addison upon his post and the Whigs for having chosen one man on his merits. In 1718 Swift wrote to Oxford’s son that time had sweetened him. “My servants tell all our neighbourhood that I grow gentler every day, and am content only to call my footman a fool for that which when you knew me first I would have broke his head.” And in December 1719 Swift wrote to Bolingbroke a letter in which his humour played again over his passion.
“I can now express in a hundred words what would formerly have cost me ten. I can write epigrams of fifty distichs which might be squeezed into one. I have gone the round of all my stories three or four times with the younger people, and begin them again. I give hints how significant a person I have been, and nobody believes me. I pretend to pity them, but am inwardly angry.... If I boast of having been valued three hundred miles off, it is of no more use than if I told how handsome I was when I was young.... If I can prevail on any one to personate a hearer and admirer, you would wonder what a favourite he grows. He is sure to have the first glass out of the bottle and the best bit I can carve. Nothing has convinced me so[Pg 146] much that I am of a little subaltern spirit, inopis atque pusilli animi, as to reflect how I am forced into the most trifling amusements to divert the vexation of former thoughts and present objects.”
In another man this might have sounded like humility. In Swift it has, somehow, the imagined sound of a searchlight falling into a dark corner.
He was now almost Swift again. Looking back over his career as a wit he wrote an ironic letter of advice to a young poet, assuring him that poetry did not demand religion or learning or even sense of those who practised it. Ireland, he argued, must have a Grub Street. Ireland must have a poet laureate, a professor of poetry, a city bard for Dublin, a poet in fee for every parish. It might have more. “What if every one so qualified were obliged to add one more than usual to the number of his domestics, and besides a fool and a chaplain (which are often united in one person) would retain a poet in his family?” Looking back over his career as a parson Swift wrote a sober letter of advice to a young clergyman. To him, not to the poet, Swift said that “proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.”
Both these letters dealt with what for Swift was play. He resumed his work in a pamphlet urging all the Irish, as a protest against the ruinous export laws, to make a “universal use of Irish manufacture,” “utterly rejecting and renouncing everything wearable that[Pg 147] comes from England.” Officials fumed. He was, they claimed, trying to divide the two kingdoms. The printer was brought to trial. When the jury acquitted him the Lord Chief Justice sent them back nine times, till they were willing to leave the verdict to the mercy of the judge. Though the case was dropped when the next Lord Lieutenant came over, the damage was done. Swift, having once more tasted Whig blood, was on his way to becoming an Irish patriot.
2
But before he gathered all his forces he had to go through his final conflict with Stella’s rival. The drama reaching its climax was already much too long.
He had met Vanessa (Esther Vanhomrigh) early in 1708 in London, where her mother was living with her children. It pleased the mother to call the daughter younger than she was, and it did not displease the daughter. She was a sleepy girl, still, at twenty, undecided between the nursery and the drawing-room, moody, idle, intelligent. Swift, at first considering her a child, discovered in her a mind, and was irresistibly, humorously impelled to shape it. “She had good principles,” he wrote three years later, “and I have corrected all her faults.” She had, however, the passion of sleepy women, not the obedience of Stella.
To that passion Swift was blind, first carelessly, then deliberately. No doubt he felt it. He had put his entire[Pg 148] energy into his pride. His senses, no matter how cold towards women, must have learned that the relationship with Stella, no matter how close and kind, was sometimes dry and mild. She was nearly a wife, and some routine had got into their companionship. Vanessa was younger. Vanessa was new. Swift, for all his prudence, enjoyed the tumult in her disposition. Because he held her, as he seems always to have done, at a safe arm’s-length, he was obtuse to her eagerness. Obtuse and insufficiently concerned. Being forty, he could not quite resist such warmth from a girl, did not have quite the courage to put out such a fire or leave it. Too scrupulous or too temperate to make the full use of Vanessa’s passion, he went on idling within its perilous range. He was surprised when he found that he had on his hands a mistress as extraordinary as the wife he had in Ireland.
Stella the extraordinary wife. Vanessa the extraordinary mistress. Swift the extraordinary husband and lover. No other terms will bound the extraordinary triangle. Gossip then and gossip since has wasted its strength in trying to find out whether Swift was technically lover or husband to either of the women. What if he was? What if he was not? The drama remains the same.
Stella was for nearly forty years, child and woman, “the truest, most virtuous and valuable friend that I,” Swift said, “or perhaps any other person, ever was[Pg 149] blessed with.” Call Stella his wife or be pedantic. Vanessa was for fifteen years his occasional companion, his delight, his torment, to whom he wrote—in bad French—that there was no merit nor any proof of his good taste in his finding in her all that nature had given any mortal in the way of honour, virtue, sense, wit, tenderness, agreeableness, and firmness of spirit. Call Vanessa his mistress or be pedantic. One side of Swift looked towards a wife, one towards a mistress. He maintained between them a singular course, but it was no more singular than his character. He was, after all, only one man loved by two women.
The friendship begun in 1708 between Swift and Vanessa, anxious to be possessed but willing to be taught, was kept up during that stay in England and, by letters, during his next absence in Ireland. When he returned to become a Tory in 1710 he had so lavish a welcome from the Vanhomrighs that their house became almost his. He lived near them, dined with them often and then more often, and had a small room there in which to read and write.
Stella, hearing about them, seems to have sniffed. “You say they are of no consequence,” he answered her. “Why, they keep as good female company as I do male. I see all the drabs of quality at this end of the town with them.” He spoke in his journal rather of the mother or of the whole family than of Vanessa.
When, having taken to Chelsea in the spring of[Pg 150] 1711, he walked more or less daily to London and back, he kept his best gown and periwig at the Vanhomrigh house, and called twice a day to change. Vanessa, with the family, possibly visited him in Chelsea, as she probably did at Kensington in the summer of the year after. The Vanhomrighs certainly visited Swift at Windsor in September 1712, and Vanessa was on some score disappointed. “Why then,” he wrote, “you should not have come, and I knew that as well as you.”
So far any strong feelings there may have been in either of them had not risen into words. He teased her for her dawdling, for her chiding, for her jealousy of her younger sister, for her habit of coaxing him for political secrets. She complained, rather childishly, of his neglect of her when he was out of London. Their letters might have been between Swift and any young woman of his acquaintance.
But when he went to Ireland in June 1713, sick of England, Vanessa could not endure the stern break which suited him. The four letters she wrote before she got an answer were disconsolate. “I find no conversation on earth comparable but yours.” She had heard of his illness. “Oh! what would I give to know how you do at this instant. My fortune is too hard. Your absence was enough, without this cruel addition.” “How could you be so cruel, to defer telling me the thing of the world I wished most to know? If you[Pg 151] think I write too much, your only way is to tell me so, or at least to write to me again, that I may know you don’t quite forget me; for I very much fear that I never employ a thought of yours now, except when you are reading my letters, which makes me ply you with them.... If you are very happy it is ill-natured of you not to tell me, except ’tis what is inconsistent with mine.”
Swift could not mistake this last clause. In seven words Vanessa made plain that she was wondering whether he could be happy without her, asking whether he was by any dreadful chance happy with some one else, announcing that she thought of him and her as having their happiness in common. His answer put cold oceans between them.
“I had your last spleenatic letter. I told you when I left England I would endeavour to forget everything there, and would write as seldom as I could. I did indeed design one general round of letters to my friends, but my health has not yet suffered me. I design to pass the greatest part of the time I stay in Ireland here in the cabin where I am now writing; neither will I leave the kingdom till I am called for; and if they have no further service for me I will never see England again. At my first coming I thought I should have died with discontent, and was horribly melancholy while they were installing me. But it begins to wear off and change to dulness. My river walk is extremely pretty,[Pg 152] and my canal in great beauty, and I see trouts playing in it.”
Her ardour, that is, he saw as spleen. He meant to forget her along with all the others. If he were to go back it would be to politics. He was dull but not melancholy. Vanessa would be glad to know that there were fish in his canal.
Politics called Swift back in September, to London and to Vanessa. There are no letters belonging to that winter, but there is the poem, apparently written then, in which Swift told the story of Cadenus (that is Decanus, dean) and Vanessa.
He began lightly, with the graces of a contemporary wit. The shepherds and the nymphs, he said, had gone to law before the court of Venus, the nymphs accusing the shepherds of resisting love, the shepherds defending themselves by the counter-accusation that, thanks to the nymphs, “modern love” was no longer
“A fire celestial, chaste, refined,
Conceived and kindled in the mind,”
but had become a “gross desire,” moving through caprice and folly. Venus, unable to decide the suit, had undertaken an experiment, and had endowed Vanessa, happily new-born, with all the virtues which the Queen of Love—or Swift—thought most “lovely in the female kind”: “a sweetness above all perfumes,” a cleanliness “incapable of outward stains,” a mind as[Pg 153] modest as “the speech of prudes,” and a “gentle, soft, engaging air.” Not yet satisfied, Venus had fooled Pallas into thinking that the baby was a boy, and had obtained for her the other virtues “for manly bosoms chiefly fit”: “knowledge, judgment, wit,” “justice, truth, and fortitude,” “honour which no breath can stain,” “open heart and bounteous hand,” and, since “meat must be with money bought,” as Pallas knew, “some small regard for state and wealth” and a useful fortune of five thousand pounds.
The romantic Venus, when all this was done, had looked for the restoration of her power. The realistic Pallas—
“For how can heavenly wisdom prove
An instrument to earthly love?”—
had, though enraged by the deceit, left “all things to their natural course.” And Pallas was justified. The beaux, when Vanessa came to town, listened to her hermaphroditic discourses—
“Through nature and through art she ranged,
And gracefully her subject changed”—
and thought her tiresome. The belles, disgusted by her lack of interest in clothes and gossip, thought her old-fashioned.
“To copy her few nymphs aspired;
Her virtues fewer swains admired.”
[Pg 154]
Vanessa hardened her heart and turned her back on the world.
Was the actual Vanessa, when she had read this far, pleased with the figure she cut in the fable? Or did the actual Cadenus, if he read it to her, notice that she twisted in her chair?
The verses went on. Cupid, zealous for his mother’s credit, resolved to conquer the adamant Vanessa. At first he wasted shaft after shaft. Cadenus, the girl’s tutor, protected her by “placing still some book betwixt” her and the mischievous god. Cupid saw he must include the tutor in his revenge. At a time when Cadenus—
“Grown old in politics and wit,
Caressed by ministers of state,
Of half mankind the dread and hate”—
was reading to her, on her demand, from his “poetic works,” Cupid shot a dart of such length that it pierced the volume and, carrying with it “some lines more moving than the rest,” reached Vanessa’s heart. Unlucky Vanessa.
“Cadenus, common forms apart,
In every scene had kept his heart,
Had sighed and languished, vowed and writ,
For pastime, or to shew his wit,
But books and time and state affairs
Had spoiled his fashionable airs.[Pg 155]
He now could praise, esteem, approve,
But understood not what was love.
His conduct might have made him styled
A father, and the nymph his child.
That innocent delight he took
To see the virgin mind her book
Was but the master’s secret joy
In school to hear the finest boy.”
Not having seen the malevolent arrow, he was amazed at the sudden change in his pupil. She seemed to listen more than ever but she could not keep her mind on what he said. Modestly he conjectured that he had bored her with studies too grave for her “tender sex and age.” He should have known better. “Nature must be nature still.” If she would excuse him, he would take his leave. But Vanessa, it soon appeared, had learned what he had taught her.
“Now, said the nymph, to let you see
My actions with your rules agree,
That I can vulgar forms despise,
And have no secrets to disguise ...
Your lessons found the weakest part,
Aimed at the head but reached the heart.”
Cadenus was overwhelmed with “shame, disappointment, guilt, surprise.” He could not doubt her words, but he thought he must pretend to, out of policy. The difference in their ages was too great. Love[Pg 156] between them would be a scandal. He told her she must not seem so tragic when, as he knew, she was only joking.
Vanessa was too good a disputant to be put off. Reason, she insisted, was her guide in love. In loving him she was only loving the virtues and merits which she had observed in him and had made her own. Her love was as strong as self-love, for it was that. She had seen him full of “love, esteem, and awe” for dead geniuses. Surely he would have felt the same emotions if he had lived when they did. Then consider her case. She lived in the same age with a great genius. It was as much her duty as her instinct to adore him.
“Cadenus answers every end,
The book, the author, and the friend.
The utmost her desires will reach
Is but to learn what he can teach.
His converse is a system fit
Alone to fill up all her wit,
While every passion of her mind
In him is centred and confined.”
In that flood of reasons Cadenus wavered. They were his own reasons, thrown back at him with his skill. He could not think them bad reasons. He was proud of his pupil for her eloquence. His pride, called up by her, stayed to caress him. If he had been preferred to all the “colonels, lords, and beaux” by “so[Pg 157] bright a nymph” whom he had never thought of courting, he must have the qualities which she saw in him.
“’Tis an old maxim in the schools
That flattery’s the food of fools,
Yet now and then your men of wit
Will condescend to take a bit.”
Cadenus could not withstand her tribute. Love, of course, was out of the question.
“Love why do we one passion call
When ’tis a compound of them all?
Where hot and cold, where sharp and sweet,
In all their equipages meet,
Where pleasure mixed with pains appear,
Sorrow with joy, and hope with fear,
Wherein his dignity and age
Forbid Cadenus to engage.”
But he could offer friendship, “a constant, rational delight,” which was rooted in virtue and so could last, as shifting love could not. “Gratitude, respect, esteem”: those she could have to make up for his want of passion. He talked high about friendship.
Vanessa brought him down. If he was to give her “devotion, duty, and respect,” their rôles would be changed. She would, however, take him at his word. He could be pupil and she be tutor, though she could see already that he would have a hard time with the[Pg 158] science she had in mind for him. Any fool knew more than Cadenus about love.
The actual Vanessa, reading or listening, must have nodded, not with sleep. Did she stamp when the poem broke off?
“But what success Vanessa met
Is to the world a secret yet.
Whether the nymph to please her swain
Talks in a high romantic strain,
Or whether he at last descends
To act with less seraphic ends,
Or, to compound the business, whether
They temper love and books together,
Must never to mankind be told,
Nor shall the conscious Muse unfold.”
Did the reader or the listener follow the last lines of the fable, in which, with another flourish of contemporary grace, Venus decided against the shepherds, said her experiment had failed, left the world in the hands of her son, “harnessed her doves, and flew to heaven”?
The tragedy of Vanessa was that Swift saw their drama as a comedy. Experience had fortified him against this scene. With Stella—
“When men began to call me fair
You interposed your timely care”—
Swift had already played Cadenus. If his temper had ever inclined him to love, or if his years had left him[Pg 159] more audacity, or if he had been less absorbed in the great campaign of his pride, he might have responded to Vanessa—or if, of course, he had felt for her that kind of passion which makes the sun, or the moon, of a fresh love seem to shine on an earth just created. He met none of these conditions. He had an impulse to regulate her mind, but not to possess her person. He even believed that the desire he had was more important than the one he lacked. Cold towards Vanessa as flesh and blood, he was warm only towards the idea of being loved by her.
It was his pride which glowed. If, at the declaration, he had either loved or hated Vanessa he would have known what to do. He would have taken her or he would have gone from her, in the storm of any consequences. As it was, he let his pride seduce him as she could not. Its device was simple. It argued with him, as no doubt Vanessa did, that her fiery need of him obliged him to be kind. He hesitated. She was quick to snatch at her advantage. Give her the present, and she would not worry about the future. Give her what he could give, and she would not ask for more. These were promises which no shrewd man would have trusted. He would have seen through them to what lay behind: the hope that if he could be held he could be won: the assurance that any kindness he might show would be more than kindness, would be the selfishness which she longed to find in him. Swift was not shrewd.[Pg 160] Moved if not convinced, he agreed to do what he could to please her, not realizing how much it was to indulge himself.
Then, almost as if to clear himself of a last annoying suspicion, he told the story of Cadenus and Vanessa in the bold but humorous light in which he saw it. Such lucidity as his would have overpowered a stronger woman than Vanessa. Whether his version was at all points accurate or not, she had to fall into the place which his comedy had assigned her.
But she could struggle. The rest of her life was largely taken up by her efforts to get out of the poem and nearer to the poet. Swift, having made the blunder of undertaking to meet love with kindness, could never undo it. Vanessa pursued him like the ghost of his blunder. In August 1714, when he had sullenly retired to Berkshire, she surprised him with a visit. “You should not have come by Wantage for a thousand pound. You used to brag you were very discreet. Where is it gone?” As soon as he had settled in Ireland, Vanessa followed. Her mother, having died, had left the daughters something of a fortune, including a handsome house at Celbridge eleven miles out of Dublin. From her house in the country or from occasional lodgings in town Vanessa implored him.
“Once I had a friend that would see me sometimes, and either commend what I did or advise me what to do, which banished all my uneasiness. But now, when[Pg 161] my misfortunes are increased by being in a disagreeable place, amongst strange, prying, deceitful people, whose company is so far from an amusement that it is a very great punishment, you fly me, and give me no reason but that we are amongst fools and must submit. I am very well satisfied that we are amongst such, but know no reason for having my happiness sacrificed to their caprice. You once had a maxim, which was to act what was right and not mind what the world said. I wish you would keep to it now. Pray what can be wrong in seeing and advising an unhappy young woman? I can’t imagine. You can’t but know that your frowns make my life insupportable. You have taught me to distinguish and then you leave me miserable.”
Swift answered only that he had “ever feared the tattle of this nasty town, and told you so.” He begged her to be easy if he saw her still less often. “These are accidents in life that are necessary and must be submitted to.”
Vanessa was not so frantic that she could mistake disinclination for discretion. “You bid me be easy, and you’d see me as often as you could. You had better said as often as you could get the better of your inclinations so much, or as often as you remembered that there was such a one in the world. If you continue to treat me as you do you will not be made uneasy by me long. ’Tis impossible to describe what I have suffered since I saw[Pg 162] you last. I am sure I could have bore the rack better than those killing, killing words of yours. Sometimes I have resolved to die without seeing you more; but those resolves, to your misfortune, did not last long.... The reason I write to you is because I cannot tell it you, should I see you. For when I begin to complain, then you are angry, and there is something in your look so awful that it strikes me dumb.... I say as little as ever I can. Did you but know what I thought I am sure it would move you. Forgive me, and believe I cannot help telling you this and live.”
There are ways to get rid of importunate Vanessas, but they are ways unknown to men who can try to be kind to women desperately in love with them. Swift, with his variations of temper, was the worst man in the world for this Vanessa. In one letter he could write: “A fig for your letters and messages”; and in another: “I cannot see you, I fear, today, having affairs of my place to do; but pray think it not want of friendship or tenderness, which I will always continue to the utmost.” Vanessa, prying into every sentence to see what might be hidden in it, turning every word over and over with a lover’s feverish research, could arrive at the security neither of hope nor of despair.
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守财与风险提示：今日属猪人需合理规划开支，减少非必要消费，理性购物；不轻易借贷给他人，防止钱财无法收回；工作中保持积极主动，提升工作能力，利于正财稳定增长；维护好人际关系，贵人助力可带来更多求财机会。
开运建议：今日财神吉位正南方，可在此方位摆放绿色盆栽，增强食神生财气场；穿戴黑色、蓝色衣物，契合亥猪五行属水的特质；晚上 7 点至 9 点梳理财务账目、制定储蓄计划，利于财富稳步积累
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