In describing this Siren, singing and smiling, coaxing and cajoling, the author, with modest pride, asks his readers all round, has he once forgotten the laws of politeness, and showed the monster's hideous tail above water? 
In describing this Siren, singing and smiling, coaxing and cajoling, I modestly ask - have I once forgotten the laws of politeness, and showed the monster's hideous tail above water? 