English

ALEXANDER POPE

THE RAPE OF THE LOCK

 is S S P edition published , is based on the edition originally published by

L S: L, .

© P D

E N   E E ———————————

 e edition that this volume is based on is one of the rare oc- curances in publishing history, the creation of what is considered an ideal edition, in which the text, typography and illustrations compliment each other perfectly.  ere are only a handful of such books which include; the Kelmscott Press edition of Chau- cer, Baskerville’s Milton, and Oscar Wilde’s Salome illustrated Salome illustrated Salome by Beardsley. I can only hope that I have done this book justice.

 e pagination, page layout & illustration placement have been retained for this edition.  e front cover has been re- produced based on the original design by Aubrey Beardsley. All preparation work done by Frater Nec Temere Nec Timide for Frater Nec Temere Nec Timide for Frater Nec Temere Nec Timide

S S P.

Questions, comments or suggestionsQuestions, comments or suggestionsQ can be directed to the Editor c/o:

[email protected]

 e Rape of the Lock

 e Rape of the Lock AN HEROICOMICAL POEM

IN FIVE CANTOS

W W W ALEXANDER POPE

 W   W   W W   W    WW 

AUBREY BEARDSLEY

“Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos; Sed juvat, hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis.”—M. “A tonso est hoc nomen adepta capillo.”—O

m Sovereign

Sanctuary

Press



EDMUND GOSSE

  



“THE R APE OF THE LOCK”

T H E D R AWT H E D R AWT H E D R A I N G S  

T D . . . . . . .   T B-D . . . . . . . .  T T . . . . . . . . .  T B’ P . . . . . . .  T B . . . . . . . . .  T R   L . . . . . .  T C  S . . . . . . .  T B   B   B . .  T N  S . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . .

ADVERTISEMENT

THE R APE OF THE LOCK was fi rst publishedHE R APE OF THE LOCK was fi rst publishedHE R APE OF THE LOCKin the year , by Bernard Lintott, at the sign of the Cross-Keys, between the two Temple Gates, Fleet Street. It was then in two cantos. It was occasioned by a frolic, carried rather beyond the bounds of good breeding, in which Lord Petre cut off a lock of Mrs. Arabella Fermor’s hair.  e poem was undertaken at Mr. Caryl’s request (see Pope’s notes), in order to reconcile the two families, this incident having caused a considerable estrangement between them.

 e great success of this jeu d’esprit induced Pope tojeu d’esprit induced Pope tojeu d’esprit extend it from the original two cantos—comprising some  lines—to fi ve, by the addition of the “machinery” of Sylphs and Gnomes.

 ose readers anxious to be acquainted with the original form of the work will fi nd its extent indicated in the author’s notes to the poem, which is here printed in its extended form, with Pope’s fi nal revisions.

To MRS. AR ABELLA FER MOR

M,

IT will be vain to deny that I have some Value for thisPiece, since I dedicate it to You. Yet You may bear me W itness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good Sense and good Humour enough, to laugh not only at their Sex’s little unguarded Follies, but at their own. But as it was communicated with the Air of a Secret, it soon found its Way into the Way into the W World. AnWorld. AnW imperfect Copy having been off ered to a Bookseller, You had the Good-Nature for my Sake to consent to the Publication of one more correct :  is I was forced to before I had executed half my Design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to compleat it.

 e Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by theMachinery, Madam, is a term invented by theMachinery Criticks, to signify that Part which the Deities, Angels, or Daemons, are made to act in a Poem : For the ancient Poets are in one Respect like many modern Ladies : Let an Action be never so trivial in itself, they always make it

appear of the utmost Importance.  ese Machines I determin’d to raise on a very new and odd Foundation, the Rosicrucian Doctrine of Spirits.

I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard Words before a Lady: but ’tis so much the Concern of aWords before a Lady: but ’tis so much the Concern of aW Poet to have his Works understood, and particularly byWorks understood, and particularly byW your Sex, that You must give me leave to explain two or three diffi cult Terms.

 e Rosicrucians are a People I must bring You acquainted with.  e best Account I know of them is in a French Book called Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in itsLe Comte de Gabalis, which both in itsLe Comte de Gabalis Title and Size is so like a Novel, that many of the Fair Sex have read it for one by Mistake. According to these Gentlemen the four Elements are inhabited by Spirits, which they call Sylphs, Sylphs, Sylphs Gnomes, Gnomes, Gnomes Nymphs, and Nymphs, and Nymphs Salamanders.  e Gnomes, or Daemons of Earth, delight in Mischief:Gnomes, or Daemons of Earth, delight in Mischief:Gnomes but the Sylphs, whose Habitation is Air, are the best-condi-Sylphs, whose Habitation is Air, are the best-condi-Sylphs tioned Creatures imaginable. For they say, any Mortals may enjoy the most intimate Familiarities with these gentle Spirits, upon a Condition very easy to all true Adepts, anAdepts, anAdepts inviolate Preservation of Chastity.

As to the following Canto’s, all the Passages of them are as Fabulous, as the Vision at the Beginning, or the Trans-

    xii

 .   xiii

formation at the End ; (except the Loss of your Hair, which I always name with Reverence.)  e Human Persons are as Fictitious as the Airy ones; and the Character of Belinda, as it is now manag’d, resembles You in nothing but in Beauty.

If this Poem had as many Graces as there are in Your Person, or in Your Mind, yet I could never hope it should pass thro’ the World half so Uncensured as You have done.World half so Uncensured as You have done.W But let its Fortune be what it will, mine is happy enough, to have given me this Occasion of assuring You that I am, with the truest Esteem, Madam, Your most Obedient Humble Servant, Humble Servant, Humble Servant A. POPE.

THE RAPE OF THE LOCK

CANTO I

WHATWHATW dire Off ence from am’rous Causes springs,W WW W hat mighty Contests rise from trivial  ings, I sing— is verse to C, Muse ! is due :  is, ev’n Belinda may vouchsafe to view :Belinda may vouchsafe to view :Belinda

    

Slight is the subject, but not so the Praise, If She inspire, and He approve my Lays.

Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou’d compel A well-bred Lord t’ assault a gentle Lord t’ assault a gentle Lord Belle ? O say what stranger cause, yet unexplor’d, Cou’d make a gentle Belle reject a Belle reject a Belle Lord ? In tasks so bold, can little Men engage, And in soft Bosoms, dwells such mighty Rage ?

Sol through white Curtains shot a tim’rous Ray, And ope’d those eyes that must eclipse the Day : Now Lap-dogs give themselves the rousing Shake, And sleepless Lovers, just at Twelve, awake :  rice rung the Bell, the Slipper knock’d the Ground, And the press’d Watch return’d a silver sound.Watch return’d a silver sound.W Belinda still her downy Pillow prest,Belinda still her downy Pillow prest,Belinda Her guardian Sylph prolong’d the balmy rest.Sylph prolong’d the balmy rest.Sylph ’Twas He had summon’d to her silent Bed  e morning-dream that hover’d o’er her Head. A Youth more glitt’ring than a Birth-night Beau ( at ev’n in slumber caus’d her Cheek to glow) Seem’d to her Ear his winning Lips to lay, And thus in W hispers said, or seem’d to say.

Fairest of Mortals, thou distinguish’d Care











  











Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air ! If e’er one Vision touch’d thy infant  ought, Of all the Nurse and all the Priest have taught, Of airy Elves by Moonlight Shadows seen,  e silver Token, and the Circled Green, Or Virgins visited by Angel-pow’rs, W ith Golden Crowns and Wreaths of heav’nly Flow’rs ;Wreaths of heav’nly Flow’rs ;W Hear and believe! thy own Importance know, Nor bound thy narrow Views to things below. Some secret Truths, from Learned Pride conceal’d, To Maids alone and Children are reveal’d : W hat tho’ no Credit doubting W its may give?  e Fair and Innocent shall still believe. Know, then, unnumber’d Spirits round thee fl y,  e light Militia of the lower sky :Militia of the lower sky :Militia  ese, tho’ unseen, are ever on the W ing, Hang o’er the Box, and hover round the Box, and hover round the Box RingRing.Ring  ink what an Equipage thou hast in Air, And view with scorn Two Pages and a Two Pages and a Two Pages Chair.Chair.Chair As now your own, our Beings were of old, And once inclos’d in Woman’s beauteous Mold ;Woman’s beauteous Mold ;W  ence, by a soft Transition, we repair From earthly Vehicles to these of Air.  ink not, when Woman’s transient Breath is fl ed,Woman’s transient Breath is fl ed,W  at all her Vanities at once are dead.

    

Succeeding Vanities she still regards, And tho’ she plays no more, o’erlooks the Cards. Her Joy in gilded Chariots, when alive, And love of Ombre, after Death survive.Ombre, after Death survive.Ombre For when the Fair in all their Pride expire, To their fi rst Elements their Souls retire :  e Sprites of fi ery Termagants in Flame Mount up, and take a Salamander’s name.Salamander’s name.Salamander’s Soft yielding Minds to Water glide away,Water glide away,W And sip, with Nymphs, their elemental Tea.Nymphs, their elemental Tea.Nymphs  e graver Prude sinks downward to a Gnome,Gnome,Gnome In search of Mischief still on Earth to roam.  e light Coquettes in Sylphs aloft repair,Sylphs aloft repair,Sylphs And sport and fl utter in the Fields of Air.

Know further yet ; whoever fair and chaste Rejects Mankind, is by some Sylph embrac’d :Sylph embrac’d :Sylph For Spirits, freed from mortal Laws, with ease Assume what Sexes and what Shapes they please. W hat guards the Purity of melting Maids, In Courtly Balls, and Midnight Masquerades, Safe from the treach’rous Friend, the daring Spark,  e Glance by Day, the W hisper in the Dark, W hen kind Occasion prompts their warm desires, W hen music softens, and when Dancing fi res ?











  

’Tis but their Sylph, the wise Celestials know,Sylph, the wise Celestials know,Sylph  o’ Honour is the word with Men below.Honour is the word with Men below.Honour

Some Nymphs there are, too conscious of their Face, For Life predestin’d to the Gnomes’ embrace.Gnomes’ embrace.Gnomes’  ese swell their Prospects and exalt their Pride, W hen Off ers are disdain’d, and Love deny’d.  en gay Ideas crowd the vacant Brain, W hile Peers, and Dukes, and all their sweeping Train, And Garters, Stars, and Coronets appear, And in soft sounds, Your Grace salutes their Ear.Your Grace salutes their Ear.Your Grace ’Tis these that early taint the female soul, Instruct the eyes of young Coquettes to roll,Coquettes to roll,Coquettes Teach Infant Cheeks a bidden Blush to know, And little Hearts to fl utter at a Beau.

Oft, when the World imagine World imagine W Women stray,Women stray,W  e Sylphs thro’ Mystic mazes guide their Sylphs thro’ Mystic mazes guide their Sylphs Way,Way,W  ro’ all the giddy Circle they pursue, And old Impertinence expel by new. W hat tender Maid but must a victim fall To one Man’s Treat, but for another’s Ball ? W hen Florio speaks what Virgin could withstand, If gentle Damon did not squeeze her Hand ? W ith varying Vanities, from ev’ry Part,









    

 ey shift the moving Toyshop of their Heart ; W here W igs with W igs, with Sword-knots Sword-knots

strive, Beaux banish Beaux, and Coaches Coaches drive.  is erring Mortals Levity may call, Oh blind to Truth ! the Sylphs contrive it all.Sylphs contrive it all.Sylphs

Of these am I, who thy Protection claim, A watchful Sprite, and Ariel is my name.Ariel is my name.Ariel Late, as I rang’d the crystal W ilds of Air, In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star I saw, alas! some dread Event impend, Ere to the Main this morning’s Sun descend, But Heav’n reveals not what, or how, or where: Warn’d by the Warn’d by the W Sylph, oh pious Maid, beware!Sylph, oh pious Maid, beware!Sylph  is to disclose is all thy Guardian can. Beware of all, but most beware of Man!

He said : when Shock, who thought she slept too long,Shock, who thought she slept too long,Shock Leap’d up, and wak’d his Mistress with his Tongue. ’Twas then, Belinda, if Report say true,  y Eyes fi rst open’d on a Billet-doux ; WoundsWoundsW , ounds, ounds Charms, and Charms, and Charms Ardors were no sooner read,Ardors were no sooner read,Ardors But all the Vision vanish’d from thy Head.

And now, unveil’d, the Toilet stands display’d, Each Silver Vase in mystic Order laid.











  

First, rob’d in W hite, the Nymph intent adores, W ith Head uncover’d, the Cosmetic pow’rs.Cosmetic pow’rs.Cosmetic A heav’nly Image in the Glass appears, To that she bends, to that her Eyes she rears ;  ’ inferior Priestess, at her Altar’s side, Trembling begins the sacred Rites of Pride. Unnumber’d Treasures ope at once, and here  e various Off ’rings of the World appear ;World appear ;W From each she nicely culls with curious Toil, And decks the Goddess with the glitt’ring Spoil.  is Casket India’s glowing Gems unlocks,India’s glowing Gems unlocks,India’s And all Arabia breathes from yonder Box. Arabia breathes from yonder Box. Arabia  e Tortoise here and Elephant unite, Transformed to Combs, the speckled and the white.Combs, the speckled and the white.Combs Here Files of Pins extend their shining Rows, Puff s, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux. Now awful Beauty puts on all its Arms ;  e Fair each moment rises in her Charms, Repairs her Smiles, awakens ev’ry Grace, And calls forth all the Wonders of her Face ;Wonders of her Face ;W Sees by Degrees a purer Blush arise, And keener Lightnings quicken in her Eyes.  e busy Sylphs surround their darling Care ;Sylphs surround their darling Care ;Sylphs  ese set the Head, and those divide the Hair, Some fold the Sleeve, whilst others plait the Gown ; And Betty’s prais’d for labours not her own.Betty’s prais’d for labours not her own.Betty’s











CANTO II

NOT with more Glories, in th’ Etherial Plain, e Sun fi rst rises o’er the purpled Main,  an, issuing forth, the Rival of his Beams Launch’d on the Bosom of the Silver  ames. Fair Nymphs, and well-drest Youths around her shone. But ev’ry Eye was fi x’d on her alone.Eye was fi x’d on her alone.E On her white Breast a sparkling Cross she wore,Cross she wore,Cross W hich Jews might kiss, and Infi dels adore.Jews might kiss, and Infi dels adore.Jews Her lively Looks a sprightly Mind disclose, Quick as her Eyes, and as unfi x’d as those :Eyes, and as unfi x’d as those :E Favours to none, to all she Smiles extends, Oft she rejects, but never once off ends. Bright as the Sun, her Eyes the Eyes the E Gazers strike, And, like the Sun, they shine on all alike. Yet graceful Ease, and Sweetness void of Pride, Might hide her Faults, if Belles had Belles had Belles Faults to hide : If to her share some Female Errors fall, Look on her Face, and you’ll forget ’em all.

 is Nymph, to the Destruction of Mankind,







Nourish’d two Locks, which graceful hung behind In equal Curls, and well conspir’d to deck W ith shining Ringlets the smooth iv’ry neck. Love in these Labyrinths his Slaves detains, And mighty Hearts are held in slender Chains. W ith hairy sprindges we the W ith hairy sprindges we the W Birds betray, Slight lines of Hair surprise the Finny Prey, Fair Tresses Tresses T Man’s Imperial Race insnare, And Beauty draws us with a single Hair.

 ’ Advent’rous Baron the bright Locks admir’d ; He saw, he wish’d, and to the Prize aspir’d : Resolv’d to win, he meditates the way, By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray ; For when Success a Lover’s Toil attends,Toil attends,T Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain’d his Ends.

For this, ere Phœbus rose, he had implor’dPhœbus rose, he had implor’dPhœbus Propitious Heav’n, and ev’ry Pow’r ador’d, But chiefl y Love—to Love an Altar built,Love an Altar built,Love Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt.French Romances, neatly gilt.French  ere lay three Garters, half a Pair of Gloves; And all the Trophies of his former Trophies of his former T Loves; W ith tender Billet-doux he lights the Billet-doux he lights the Billet-doux Pyre, And breathes three am’rous Sighs to raise the Fire.

  











    

 en prostrate falls, and begs with ardent EyesEyesE Soon to obtain, and long possess the Prize :  e Pow’rs gave Ear, and granted half his Pray’r,  e rest, the W inds dispers’d in empty Air.

But now secure the painted Vessel glides,Vessel glides,V  e Sun-beams trembling on the fl oating Tydes,Tydes,T W hile melting Musick steals upon the Sky, And soften’d Sounds along the Waters die.Waters die.W Smooth fl ow the Waves, the Zephyrs gently play,Waves, the Zephyrs gently play,W Belinda smil’d, and all the Belinda smil’d, and all the Belinda World was gay.World was gay.W All but the Sylph—W —W — ith careful  oughts opprest,  ’ impending Woe sat heavy on his Woe sat heavy on his W Breast. He summons strait his Denizens of Air ;  e lucid Squadrons round the Sails repair : Soft o’er the Shrouds Aerial W hispers breathe,  at seem’d but Zephyrs to the Train beneath.Train beneath.T Some to the Sun their Insect-W nsect-W nsect- ings unfold, Waft on the Waft on the W Breeze, or sink in Clouds of Gold. Transparent Forms, too fi ne for mortal Sight,  eir fl uid Bodies half dissolv’d in Light. Loose to the W ind their airy Garments fl ew,  in glitt’ring Textures of the fi lmy Textures of the fi lmy T Dew ; Dipt in the richest Tincture of the Skies, W here Light disports in ever-mingling Dies,











  

W hile ev’ry Beam new transient Colours fl ings, Colours that change whene’er they wave their W ings. Amid the Circle, on the gilded mast, Superior by the Head, was Ariel plac’d ;Ariel plac’d ;Ariel His Purple Pinions op’ning to the Sun, He rais’d his Azure Wand, and thus begun.Wand, and thus begun.W

Ye Sylphs and Sylphs and Sylphs Sylphids, to your chief give ear,Sylphids, to your chief give ear,Sylphids Fays, Fays, Fays Fairies, Fairies, Fairies Genii, Elves, and Elves, and Elves Daemons, hear !Daemons, hear !Daemons Ye know the Spheres and various Tasks assign’dTasks assign’dT By Laws Eternal to th’ Aerial Kind. Some in the Fields of purest Aether play,Aether play,Aether And bask and whiten in the Blaze of Day. Some guide the Course of wand’ring Orbs on high, Or roll the Planets thro’ the boundless Sky. Some less refi n’d, beneath the Moon’s pale Light Pursue the Stars that shoot athwart the Night ; Or suck the Mists in grosser Air below, Or dip their Pinions in the painted Bow, Or brew fi erce Tempests on the wintry Tempests on the wintry T Main, Or o’er the Glebe distil the kindly Rain. Others on Earth o’er human Race preside, Watch all their Watch all their W Ways, and all their actions guide :Ways, and all their actions guide :W Of these the Chief the Care of Nations own, And guard with Arms Divine the British  rone.











Our humbler Province is to tend the Fair, Not a less pleasing, tho’ less glorious Care. To save the Powder from too rude a Gale, Nor let th’ imprison’d Essences exhale ; To draw fresh Colours from the vernal Flow’rs ; To steal from Rainbows e’er they drop in Show’rs A brighter Wash; to curl their waving Wash; to curl their waving W Hairs, Assist their Blushes, and inspire their Airs ; Nay oft, in Dreams, Invention we bestow, To change a Flounce, or add a Flounce, or add a Flounce Furbelo !

 is Day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair,  at e’er deserv’d a watchful Spirit’s care ; Some dire Disaster, or by Force, or Slight, But what, or where, the Fates have wrapt in Night. W hether the Nymph shall break Diana’s law,Diana’s law,Diana’s Or some frail China jar receive a China jar receive a China Flaw, Or stain her Honour or her new Brocade, Forget her Pray’rs, or miss a Masquerade, Or lose her Heart, or Necklace, at a Ball ; Or whether Heav’n has doom’d that Shock must fall.Shock must fall.Shock Haste, then, ye Spirits ! to your Charge repair ;  e fl utt’ring Fan be Zephyretta’s Care ;  e Drops to thee, Brillante, we consign ;Brillante, we consign ;Brillante And, Momentilla, let the Watch be thine ;Watch be thine ;W

    









  











Do thou, Crispissa, tend her fav’rite Lock ; Ariel himself shall be the guard of Ariel himself shall be the guard of Ariel Shock.

To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special Sylphs, of special Sylphs Note, We trust th’ important charge, the We trust th’ important charge, the W Petticoat : Oft have we known that seven-fold Fence to fail,  o’ stiff with Hoops, and arm’d with Ribs of W hale ; Form a strong line about the silver bound, And guard the wide circumference around.

W hatever Spirit, careless of his Charge, His Post neglects, or leaves the Fair at large, Shall feel sharp Vengeance soon o’ertake his Sins, Be stop’d in VialsVialsV , or transfi xt with ials, or transfi xt with ials Pins ;Pins ;P Or plung’d in lakes of bitter WashesWashesW lie,ashes lie,ashes Or wedg’d whole Ages in a Bodkin’s Eye :odkin’s Eye :odkin’s Gums and Gums and Gums Pomatums shall his Flight restrain,Pomatums shall his Flight restrain,Pomatums W hile clogg’d he beats his silken W ings in vain ; Or Alom-Stypticks with contracting Pow’rStypticks with contracting Pow’rStypticks Shrink his thin Essence like a rivel’d Flower. Or, as Ixion fi x’d, the Wretch shall feelWretch shall feelW  e giddy Motion of the whirling Mill, Midst Fumes of burning Chocolate shall glow, And tremble at the Sea that froths below !

    



He spoke ; the Spirits from the Sails descend ; Some, Orb in Orb, around the Nymph extend, Some thrid the mazy Ringlets of her Hair, Some hang upon the Pendants of her Ear ; W ith beating Hearts the dire Event they wait, Anxious, and trembling for the Birth of Fate.

CANTO III

CLOSE by those Meads, for ever crown’d with Flow’rs,W here  ames with Pride surveys his rising Tow’rs,  ere stands a Structure of Majestic Fame, W hich from the neighb’ring Hampton takes its Name. Here Britain’s Statesmen oft the Fall foredoomBritain’s Statesmen oft the Fall foredoomBritain’s Of foreign Tyrants, and of Nymphs at home ; Here  ou, great Anna ! whom three Realms obey,Anna ! whom three Realms obey,Anna ! Dost sometimes Counsel take—and sometimes Tea.

Hither the Heroes and the Nymphs resort, To taste awhile the Pleasures of a Court ; In various Talk th’ instructive Hours they past, W ho gave a Ball, or paid the Ball, or paid the Ball Visit last :Visit last :Visit One speaks the Glory of the British Queen, And one describes a charming Indian Screen ; A third interprets Motions, Looks, and Eyes ; At every Word a Reputation dies.Word a Reputation dies.W Snuff , or the Snuff , or the Snuff Fan, supply each Pause of Chat, W ith singing, laughing, ogling, and all that.and all that.and all that







    

Mean while, declining from the Noon of Day,  e Sun obliquely shoots his burning Ray ;  e hungry Judges soon the Sentence sign, And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine ;Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine ;W  e Merchant from th’ Exchange returns in Peace,Exchange returns in Peace,Exchange And the long Labours of the Toilet cease. Belinda now, whom Belinda now, whom Belinda  irst of Fame invites, Burns to encounter two adventrous Knights, At Ombre singly to decide their Ombre singly to decide their Ombre Doom ; And swells her Breast with Conquests yet to come. Straight the three Bands prepare in Arms to join, Each Band the number of the Sacred Nine. Soon as she spreads her Hand, th’ Aerial Guard Descend, and sit on each important ard : First Ariel perch’d upon a Ariel perch’d upon a Ariel Matadore,Matadore,Matadore  en each, according to the Rank they bore ; For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient Sylphs Race, Are, as when women, wond’rous fond of Place.

Behold, four Kings in Kings in Kings Majesty rever’d, W ith hoary Whiskers and a forky Whiskers and a forky W Beard ; And four fair Queens whose ueens whose ueens Hands sustain a Flow’r,  ’ expressive Emblem of their softer Pow’r ; Four Knaves in Knaves in Knaves Garbs succinct, a trusty Band ; Caps on their heads, and Halberds in their hand ;











  

And particolour’d Troops, a shining Troops, a shining T Train,Train,T Draw forth to combat on the Velvet Velvet V Plain.

 e skilful Nymph reviews her Force with Care ; Let Spades be Trumps !Trumps !T she said, and rumps ! she said, and rumps ! Trumps they were.Trumps they were.T

Now move to War her sable War her sable W Matadores,Matadores,Matadores In show like Leaders of the swarthy Moors. Spadillio fi rst, unconquerable Lord ! Led off two captive Trumps, and swept the Trumps, and swept the T Board. As many more Manillio forc’d to yield, And march’d a Victor from the verdant Victor from the verdant V Field. Him Basto follow’d, but his Fate more hard Gain’d but one Trump and one Trump and one T Plebeian card. W ith his broad Sabre next, a Chief in Years,Years,Y  e hoary Majesty of Spades appears ;Spades appears ;Spades Puts forth one manly Leg, to sight reveal’d,  e rest, his many-colour’d Robe conceal’d.  e Rebel-Knave, who dares his Knave, who dares his Knave Prince engage, Proves the just Victim of his Victim of his V Royal Rage. Ev’n mighty Pam, that Kings and Queens o’erthrew, And mow’d down Armies in the Fights of Lu, Sad Chance of War ! now destitute of War ! now destitute of W Aid, Falls undistinguish’d by the Victor Victor V Spade !Spade !S

 us far both Armies to Belinda yield ;Belinda yield ;Belinda











    

Now to the Baron Fate inclines the Field. His warlike Amazon her Host invades,  ’ Imperial Consort of the Crown of Spades.  e Club’s black Tyrant fi rst her Club’s black Tyrant fi rst her Club’s Victim dy’d,Victim dy’d,V Spite of his haughty Mien, and barb’rous Pride : W hat boots the Regal Circle on his Head, His Giant Limbs, in State unwieldy spread ;  at long behind he trails his pompous Robe, And, of all Monarchs, only grasps the Globe ?

 e Baron now his Diamonds pours apace ;Diamonds pours apace ;Diamonds  ’ embroider’d King who shows but half his King who shows but half his King Face, And his refulgent Queen, with Pow’rs combin’d, Of broken Troops an easy Troops an easy T Conquest fi nd. Clubs, Clubs, Clubs Diamonds, Diamonds, Diamonds Hearts, in wild Hearts, in wild Hearts Disorder seen, W ith  rongs promiscuous strow the level Green.  us when dispers’d a routed Army runs, Of Asia’s Troops, and Troops, and T Afric’s Sable Sons, W ith like Confusion diff erent Nations fl y, Of various Habits, and of various Dye,  e pierc’d Battalions dis-united fall, In Heaps on Heaps ; one Fate o’erwhelms them all.

 e Knave of Diamonds tries his wily Knave of Diamonds tries his wily Knave of Diamonds Arts, And wins (oh shameful Chance !) the Queen of Hearts.









  

At this, the Blood the Virgin’s Virgin’s V Cheek forsook, A livid Paleness spreads o’er all her Look ; She sees, and trembles at th’ approaching Ill, Just in the Jaws of Ruin, and Codille.Codille.Codille And now (as oft in some distemper’d State) On one nice Trick depends the gen’ral Trick depends the gen’ral Trick Fate. An Ace of Hearts steps forth :  e Ace of Hearts steps forth :  e Ace King unseenKing unseenKing Lurk’d in her Hand, and mourn’d his captive Queen. He springs to Vengeance with an eager Pace, And falls like  under on the prostrate Ace.Ace.Ace  e Nymph exulting fi lls with Shouts the Sky ;  e Walls, the Walls, the W Woods, and long Woods, and long W Canals reply.

Oh thoughtless Mortals ! ever blind to Fate, Too soon dejected, and too soon elate ! Sudden, these Honours shall be snatch’d away, And curs’d for ever this Victorious Victorious V Day.

For lo ! the Board with Cups and Spoons is crown’d,  e Berries crackle, and the Mill turns round ; On shining Altars of Japan they raise  e silver Lamp; the fi ery Spirits blaze : From silver Spouts the grateful Liquors glide, W hile China’s earth receives the smoking Tyde.China’s earth receives the smoking Tyde.China’s At once they gratify their Scent and Taste,Taste,T











    

And frequent Cups prolong the rich Repast. Straight hover round the Fair her Airy Band ; Some, as she sipp’d, the fuming Liquor fann’d, Some o’er her Lap their careful Plumes display’d, Trembling, and conscious of the rich Brocade. Coff ee (which makes the Coff ee (which makes the Coff ee Politician wise, And see through all things with his half-shut Eyes)Eyes)E Sent up in Vapours to the Vapours to the V Baron’s Brain New Stratagems, the radiant Lock to gain. Ah cease, rash Youth ! desist ere ’tis too late,Youth ! desist ere ’tis too late,Y Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla’s Fate !Scylla’s Fate !Scylla’s Chang’d to a Bird, and sent to fl it in Air, She dearly pays for Nisus’ injur’d Nisus’ injur’d Nisus’ Hair !

But when to Mischief Mortals bend their W ill, How soon they fi nd fi t Instruments of Ill ! Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting Clarissa drew with tempting Clarissa Grace A two-edg’d Weapon from her shining Weapon from her shining W Case ; So Ladies in Romance assist their Knight, Present the Spear, and arm him for the Fight. He takes the Gift with rev’rence, and extends  e little Engine on his Fingers’ Ends ;  is just behind Belinda’s Neck he spread As o’er the fragrant Steams she bends her Head : Swift to the Lock a thousand Sprights repair,











   A thousand W ings, by turns, blow back the Hair ; And thrice they twitch’d the Diamond in her Ear,  rice she look’d back, and thrice the Foe drew near. Just in that instant, anxious Ariel soughtAriel soughtAriel  e close Recesses of the Virgin’s thought ; As on the Nosegay in her Breast reclin’d, He watch’d th’ Ideas rising in her Mind, Sudden he view’d, in spite of all her Art, An Earthly Lover lurking at her Heart. Amaz’d, confus’d, he found his Power expir’d, Resign’d to Fate, and with a Sigh retir’d.

 e Peer now spreads the glittering Peer now spreads the glittering Peer Forfex wide,Forfex wide,Forfex T’ inclose the Lock ; now joins it, to divide. Ev’n then, before the fatal Engine clos’d, A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos’d ;Sylph too fondly interpos’d ;Sylph Fate urged the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain,Sylph in twain,Sylph (But Airy Substance soon unites again)  e meeting Points the sacred Hair dissever From the fair Head, for ever and for ever !

 en fl ash’d the living Lightnings from her Eyes,Eyes,E And Screams of Horror rend th’ aff righted Skies. Not louder Shrieks to pitying Heav’n are cast, W hen Husbands, or when Lapdogs breathe their last,









    

Or when rich China Vessels fal’n from high,Vessels fal’n from high,V In glitt’ring Dust and painted Fragments lie !

Let Wreaths of Wreaths of W Triumph now my Triumph now my T Temples twine,Temples twine,T ( e Victor cry’d) the glorious Prize is mine !Victor cry’d) the glorious Prize is mine !V W hile Fish in Streams, or Birds delight in Air, Or in a Coach and Six the British Fair,British Fair,British As long as Atalantis shall be read,Atalantis shall be read,Atalantis Or the small Pillow grace a Lady’s Bed, W hile Visits shall be paid on solemn Visits shall be paid on solemn Visits Days, W hen num’rous Wax-lights in bright Wax-lights in bright W Order blaze, W hile Nymphs take Treats, or Treats, or T Assignations give, So long my Honour, Name, and Praise shall live !

W hat Time would spare, from Steel receives its date, And Monuments, like Men, submit to Fate ! Steel cou’d the Labour of the Gods destroy, And strike to Dust th’ Imperial Tow’rs of Tow’rs of T Troy ; Steel cou’d the Works of mortal Works of mortal W Pride confound, And hew Triumphal Triumphal T Arches to the Ground. W hat Wonder then, fair Wonder then, fair W Nymph ! thy Hair shou’d feel  e conqu’ring Force of unresisted Steel ?









CANTO IV

BUT anxious Cares the pensive Nymph oppress’d,And secret Passions labour’d in her Breast. Not youthful Kings in Battle seiz’d alive, Not scornful Virgins who their Virgins who their V Charms survive, Not ardent Lovers robb’d of all their Bliss, Not ancient Ladies when refus’d a Kiss, Not Tyrants fi erce that unrepenting die,Tyrants fi erce that unrepenting die,T Not Cynthia when her Cynthia when her Cynthia ManteauManteauM ’s pinn’d awry,anteau’s pinn’d awry,anteau E’er felt such Rage, Resentment, and Despair, As  ou, sad Virgin ! for thy ravish’d Hair.

For, that sad moment, when the Sylphs withdrew,Sylphs withdrew,Sylphs And Ariel weeping from Ariel weeping from Ariel Belinda fl ew,Belinda fl ew,Belinda Umbriel, a dusky, melancholy Umbriel, a dusky, melancholy Umbriel Sprite, As ever sully’d the fair Face of Light, Down to the Central Earth, his proper Scene, Repair’d to search the gloomy Cave of Spleen.

Swift on his sooty Pinions fl its the Gnome,Gnome,Gnome







    

And in a Vapour reach’d the dismal Vapour reach’d the dismal V Dome. No cheerful Breeze this sullen Region knows,  e dreaded East is all the East is all the East W ind that blows. Here in a Grotto, shelter’d close from Air, And screen’d in Shades from Day’s detested Glare, She sighs for ever on her pensive Bed, Pain at her Side, and Megrim at her Head.

Two Handmaids wait the  rone : Alike in Place, But diff ’ring far in Figure and in Face. Here stood Ill-nature like an Ill-nature like an Ill-nature ancient MaidMaidM ,aid,aid Her wrinkled form in Black and lack and lack W hiteW hiteW array’d ;hite array’d ;hite W ith store of Pray’rs, for Mornings, Nights, and Noons, Her Hand is fi ll’d ; her Bosom with Lampoons.

 ere Aff ectation, with a sickly Mien, Shows in her Cheek the Roses of Eighteen, Practis’d to Lisp, and hang the Head aside, Faints into Airs, and languishes with Pride ; On the rich Quilt sinks with becoming Quilt sinks with becoming Q Woe,Woe,W Wrapt in a Wrapt in a W Gown, for Sickness, and for Show.  e Fair ones feel such Maladies as these, W hen each new Night-Dress gives a new Disease.

A constant Vapour o’er the Vapour o’er the Vapour Palace fl ies ; Strange Phantoms rising as the Mists arise ;











   Dreadful, as Hermits’ Dreams in haunted Shades, Or bright, as Visions of expiring Visions of expiring V Maids. Now glaring Fiends, and Snakes on rolling Spires, Pale Spectres, gaping Tombs, and Tombs, and T Purple Fires : Now Lakes of liquid Gold, Elysian Scenes, And Crystal Domes, and Angels in Machines.

Unnumber’d  rongs on ev’ry side are seen, Of Bodies chang’d to various forms by Spleen. Here living Teapots stand, one Teapots stand, one Teapots Arm held out, One bent ; the Handle this, and that the Spout : A Pipkin there, like Homer’s Tripod walks ;Homer’s Tripod walks ;Homer’s Tripod Here sighs a Jar, and there a Goose-pye talks ; Men prove with Child, as pow’rful Fancy works, And Maids turn’d Bottels, call aloud for Corks.

Safe past the Gnome thro’ this fantastic Gnome thro’ this fantastic Gnome Band, A Branch of healing Spleenwort in his Spleenwort in his Spleenwort Hand.  en thus addrest the Pow’r—Hail wayward Queen ; W ho rule the Sex to Fifty from Fifteen, Parent of Vapours and of Vapours and of V Female W it, W ho give th’ HystericHystericH or ysteric or ysteric PoeticPoeticP Fit, On various Tempers act by various ways,Tempers act by various ways,T Make some take Physic, others scribble Plays ; W ho cause the Proud their Visits to delay,Visits to delay,V And send the Godly in a Pett, to pray.









    

A Nymph there is, that all thy Pow’r disdains, And thousands more in equal Mirth maintains. But oh ! if e’er thy Gnome could spoil a Gnome could spoil a Gnome Grace, Or raise a Pimple on a beauteous Face, Like Citron-WLike Citron-WLike Citron- aters Waters W Matrons’ Cheeks infl ame, Or change Complexions at a losing Game ; If e’er with airy Horns I planted Heads, Or rumpled Petticoats, or tumbled Beds, Or caus’d Suspicion when no Soul was rude, Or discompos’d the Head-Dress of a Prude, Or e’er to costive Lap-Dog gave Disease, Which not the Tears of brightest Tears of brightest T Eyes could ease :Eyes could ease :E Hear me, and touch Belinda with Belinda with Belinda Chagrin ;  at single Act gives half the World the World the W Spleen.

 e Goddess with a discontented Air Seems to reject him, tho’ she grants his Pray’r. A wond’rous Bag with both her Hands she binds, Like that where once Ulysses held the Ulysses held the Ulysses W inds ;  ere she collects the Force of Female ungs, Sighs, Sobs, and Passions, and the War of War of W Tongues.Tongues.T A Vial next she fi lls with fainting Fears, Soft Sorrows, melting Griefs, and fl owing Tears.Tears.T  e Gnome rejoicing bears her Gnome rejoicing bears her Gnome Gift away, Spreads his black W ings, and slowly mounts to Day.











   Sunk in  alestris’ Arms the Nymph he found,

Her Eyes dejected and her Eyes dejected and her E Hair unbound. Full o’er their Heads the swelling Bag he rent, And all the Furies issu’d at the Vent.Vent.V Belinda burns with more than mortal Belinda burns with more than mortal Belinda Ire, And fi erce  alestris fans the rising Fire. O wretched Maid ! she spread her Hands, and cry’d, (W hile Hampton’s Ecchoes, wretched Maid ! reply’d) Was it for this you took such constant Was it for this you took such constant W Care  e Bodkin, CombCombC , and omb, and omb EssenceEssenceE to prepare ;ssence to prepare ;ssence For this your Locks in Paper-Durance bound, For this with tort’ring Irons wreath’d around ! For this with Fillets strain’d your tender Head, And bravely bore the double Loads of Lead ? Gods ! shall the Ravisher display your Hair, W hile the Fops envy, and the Ladies stare ! Honour forbid ! at whose unrivall’d Honour forbid ! at whose unrivall’d Honour Shrine Ease, Pleasure, Virtue, all our Virtue, all our V Sex resign. Methinks already I your Tears survey,Tears survey,T Already hear the horrid  ings they say, Already see you a degraded Toast,Toast,T And all your Honour in a W hisper lost ! How shall I, then, your hapless Fame defend ? ’T will then be Infamy to seem your Friend ! And shall this Prize, th’ inestimable Prize,











Expos’d thro’ Crystal to the gazing Eyes,Eyes,E And heighten’d by the Diamond’s circling Rays, On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze ? Sooner shall Grass in Hide-Park CircusPark CircusP grow,ark Circus grow,ark Circus And W its take Lodgings in the sound of Bow ; Sooner let Earth, Air, Sea, to Chaos fall,Chaos fall,Chaos Men, Monkeys, Lap-dogs, Parrots, perish all !

She said ; then raging to Sir Plume repairs,Plume repairs,Plume And bids her Beau demand the precious Hairs : (Sir Plume of Plume of Plume Amber Snuff -box justly vain, And the nice Conduct of a Clouded Clouded C CaneCaneC )ane)ane W ith earnest Eyes and round unthinking Eyes and round unthinking E Face, He fi rst the Snuff -box open’d, then the Case, And thus broke out—“My Lord, why, what the devil ! “Z——ds ! damn the lock ! ’fore Gad, you must be civil ! “Plague on’t ! ’tis past a Jest—nay prithee, Pox ! “Give her the hair”—he spoke, and rapp’d his Box.

It grieves me much (reply’d the Peer again) W ho speaks so well should ever speak in vain. But by this Lock, this sacred Lock I swear, (W hich never more shall join its parted Hair ; W hich never more its Honours shall renew, Clipp’d from the lovely Head where late it grew)

    











 at while my Nostrils draw the vital Air,  is Hand, which won it, shall for ever wear. He spoke, and speaking, in proud Triumph spreadTriumph spreadT  e long-contended Honours of her Head.

But Umbriel, hateful Umbriel, hateful Umbriel Gnome ! forbears not so ;Gnome ! forbears not so ;Gnome ! He breaks the Vial whence the Sorrows fl ow.  en see ! the Nymph in beauteous Grief appears, Her Eyes half-languishing, half-drown’d in Tears ; On her heav’d Bosom hung her drooping Head, W hich, with a Sigh, she rais’d ; and thus she said.

For ever curs’d be this detested Day, W hich snatch’d my best, my fav’rite Curl away ! Happy ! ah ten times happy had I been, If Hampton-Court these Eyes had never seen !Hampton-Court these Eyes had never seen !Hampton-Court Yet am not I the fi rst mistaken Maid, By love of Courts to num’rous Ills betray’d.Courts to num’rous Ills betray’d.Courts Oh had I rather unadmir’d remain’d In some lone Isle, or distant Northern land ; W here the gilt Chariot never mark’d the way,Chariot never mark’d the way,Chariot W here none learn Ombre, none e’er taste Ombre, none e’er taste Ombre Bohea !  ere kept my Charms conceal’d from mortal Eye, Like Roses, that in Desarts bloom and die. W hat mov’d my Mind with youthful Lords to rome ?

  









Oh had I stay’d, and said my Pray’rs at home ! ’T was this, the Morning Omens did foretel ;Omens did foretel ;Omens  rice from my trembling Hand the Patch-box fell ;Patch-box fell ;Patch-box  e tott’ring China shook without a China shook without a China W ind. Nay, Poll sat mute, and Poll sat mute, and Poll Shock was most Unkind !Shock was most Unkind !Shock A Sylph too warn’d me of the  reats of Fate,Sylph too warn’d me of the  reats of Fate,Sylph In mystic Visions, now believ’d too late ! See the poor Remnants of these slighted Hairs ! My Hands shall rend what ev’n thy Rapine spares.  ese, in two sable Ringlets taught to break, Once gave new Beauties to the snowy Neck.  e Sister-Lock now sits uncouth, alone, And in its Fellow’s Fate foresees its own ; Uncurl’d it hangs, the fatal Sheers demands ; And tempts once more thy sacrilegious Hands. Oh hadst thou, Cruel ! been content to seize Hairs less in sight, or any Hairs but these !

    









CANTO V

She said :  e pitying Audience melt in Tears,But Fate and Fate and Fate Jove had stopp’d the Jove had stopp’d the Jove Baron’s Ears.Baron’s Ears.Baron’s In vain  alestris with Reproach assails, For who can move when fair Belinda fails ?Belinda fails ?Belinda Not half so fi x’d the Trojan could remain, W hile Anna begg’d and Anna begg’d and Anna Dido rag’d in vain.  en grave Clarissa graceful wav’d her Fan ;Clarissa graceful wav’d her Fan ;Clarissa Silence ensu’d, and thus the Nymph began.

Say, why are Beauties prais’d and honour’d most,  e W ise Man’s Passion, and the Vain Man’s Toast ? W hy deck’d with all that Land and Sea aff ord, W hy Angels call’d, and Angel-like ador’d ? W hy round our Coaches crowd the white-gloved Beaux, W hy bows the Side-box from its inmost Rows ? How vain are all these Glories, all our Pains, Unless good Sense preserve what Beauty gains :  at Men may say, when we the Front-box grace,







Behold the fi rst in Virtue as in Face ! Oh ! if to dance all Night, and dress all Day, Charm’d the Small-pox, or chas’d old Age away ; W ho would not scorn what Housewife’s Cares produce, Or who would learn one earthly  ing of Use ? To patch, nay ogle, might become a Saint, Nor could it sure be such a Sin to paint. But since, alas ! frail Beauty must decay, Curl’d or uncurl’d, since Locks will turn to grey ; Since painted, or not painted, all shall fade, And she who scorns a Man, must die a Maid ; W hat then remains but well our Pow’r to use, And keep good Humour still whate’er we lose ? And trust me, dear ! good Humour can prevail, W hen Airs, and Flights, and Screams, and Scolding fail. Beauties in vain their pretty Eyes may roll ; Charms strike the Sight, but Merit wins the Soul.”

So spoke the Dame, but no Applause ensu’d ; Belinda frown’d, Belinda frown’d, Belinda  alestris call’d her Prude. To Arms, to Arms ! the fi erce Virago cries, And swift as Lightning to the Combate fl ies. All side in Parties, and begin th’ Attack ; Fans clap, Silks rustle, and tough W halebones crack ; Heroes and Heroines Shouts confus’dly rise,

    











And bass, and treble Voices strike the Skies. No common Weapons in their Hands are found,Weapons in their Hands are found,W Like Gods they fi ght, nor dread a mortal Wound.Wound.W

So when bold Homer makes the Gods engage,Homer makes the Gods engage,Homer And heav’nly Breasts with human Passions rage ; ’Gainst Pallas, Pallas, Pallas Mars ; Latona, Hermes, Arms ; And all Olympus rings with loud Alarms.Olympus rings with loud Alarms.Olympus Jove’s  under roars, Heav’n trembles all around ;Jove’s  under roars, Heav’n trembles all around ;Jove’s Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing Deeps resound ;Neptune storms, the bellowing Deeps resound ;Neptune Earth shakes her nodding Tow’rs, the Ground gives way,Earth shakes her nodding Tow’rs, the Ground gives way,Earth And the pale Ghosts start at the Flash of Day !

Triumphant Umbriel on a Sconce’s HeightUmbriel on a Sconce’s HeightUmbriel Clapp’d his glad W ings, and sate to view the Fight, Propp’d on the Bodkin Spears the Sprites survey  e growing Combat, or assist the Fray.

W hile thro’ the Press enrag’d  alestris fl ies, And scatters Death around from both her Eyes, A Beau and WitlingWitlingW perish’d in the  rong,itling perish’d in the  rong,itling One dy’d in Metaphor, and one in Metaphor, and one in Metaphor SongSong.Song O cruel Nymph ! a living death I bear,

  









Cry’d Dapperwit, and sunk beside his Chair.Dapperwit, and sunk beside his Chair.Dapperwit A mournful Glance Sir Fopling upwards cast,Fopling upwards cast,Fopling  ose eyes are made so killing—was his last : ose eyes are made so killing—was his last : ose eyes are made so killing  us on Meander’s fl ow’ry Margin liesMeander’s fl ow’ry Margin liesMeander’s  ’ expiring Swan, and as he sings he dies.

W hen bold Sir Plume had drawn Plume had drawn Plume Clarissa down, Chloe stepp’ d in, and kill’d him with a Frown ; She smil’d to see the doughty Hero slain, But, at her Smile, the Beau reviv’d again.

Now Jove suspends his golden Scales in Air,Jove suspends his golden Scales in Air,Jove Weighs the Men’s Weighs the Men’s W W its against the Lady’s Hair ;  e doubtful Beam long nods from side to side ; At length the W its mount up, the Hairs subside.

See, fi erce Belinda on the Belinda on the Belinda Baron fl ies, W ith more than usual Lightning in her Eyes : Nor fear’d the Chief th’ unequal Fight to try, W ho sought no more than on his Foe to die. But this bold Lord with manly Strength endu’d, She with one Finger and a  umb subdu’d : Just where the Breath of Life his Nostrils drew,

    









A charge of Snuff the wily Virgin threw ;Snuff the wily Virgin threw ;Snuff  e Gnomes direct, to ev’ry Atome just,Gnomes direct, to ev’ry Atome just,Gnomes  e pungent Grains of titillating Dust. Sudden, with starting Tears each Eye o’erfl ows, And the high Dome re-ecchoes to his Nose.

Now meet thy Fate, incens’d Belinda cry’d,Belinda cry’d,Belinda And drew a deadly Bodkin from her Side. ( e same, his ancient Personage to deck, Her great great Grandsire wore about his Neck, In three Seal-Rings ; which after melted down, Form’d a vast Buckle for his Buckle for his Buckle W idow’s Gown : Her infant Grandame’s WhistleWhistleW next it grew,histle next it grew,histle  e Bells she jingled, and the WhistleWhistleW blew ;histle blew ;histle  en in a Bodkin grac’d her Mother’s hairs, W hich long she wore, and now Belinda wears.)Belinda wears.)Belinda

Boast not my Fall (he cry’d) insulting Foe !  ou by some other shalt be laid as low, Nor think, to die dejects my lofty Mind. All that I dread, is leaving you behind ! Rather than so, ah let me still survive, And burn in Cupid’s Flames—but burn alive.Cupid’s Flames—but burn alive.Cupid’s

  









Restore the Lock ! she cries; and all aroundRestore the Lock ! she cries; and all aroundRestore the Lock ! Restore the Lock ! the Vaulted Roofs rebound.Restore the Lock ! the Vaulted Roofs rebound.Restore the Lock ! Not fi erce Othello in so loud a Strain Roar’d for the Handkerchief that caus’d his Pain. But see how oft Ambitious Aims are cross’d, And Chiefs contend ’till all the Prize is lost !  e Lock, obtain’d with Guilt, and kept with Pain, In ev’ry place is sought, but sought in vain : W ith such a Prize no Mortal must be blest, So Heav’n decrees ! with Heav’n who can contest ?

Some thought it mounted to the Lunar Sphere, Since all things lost on Earth are treasur’d there.  ere Heroe’s W its are kept in pond’rous Vases, And Beau’s in Snuff -boxes and Snuff -boxes and Snuff -boxes Tweezer-cases.  ere broken Vows and Death-bed Alms are found, And Lovers’ Hearts with Ends of Riband bound ;  e Courtier’s Promises, and Sick Man’s Pray’rs,  e Smiles of Harlots, and the Tears of Heirs, Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea ; Dried Butterfl ies, and Tomes of Casuistry.

But trust the Muse—she saw it upward rise,  o’ mark’d by none but quick Poetic eyes :

    









(So Rome’s great Founder to the Heav’ns withdrew,Rome’s great Founder to the Heav’ns withdrew,Rome’s To Proculus alone confess’d in view.)Proculus alone confess’d in view.)Proculus A sudden Star, it shot through liquid Air, And drew behind a radiant Trail of Hair.Trail of Hair.Trail of Hair Not Berenice’s Locks fi rst rose so bright,Berenice’s Locks fi rst rose so bright,Berenice’s  e Skies bespangling with dishevel’d Light.  e Sylphs behold it kindling as it fl ies,Sylphs behold it kindling as it fl ies,Sylphs And pleas’d pursue its progress through the Skies.

 is the Beau-monde shall from the Beau-monde shall from the Beau-monde Mall survey,Mall survey,Mall And hail with Musick its propitious Ray.Musick its propitious Ray.Musick  is the blest Lover shall for Venus take,Venus take,Venus And send up Vows from Rosamonda’s Lake.Rosamonda’s Lake.Rosamonda’s  is Partridge soon shall view in cloudless Skies,Partridge soon shall view in cloudless Skies,Partridge W hen next he looks through Galilæo’s Eyes ;Galilæo’s Eyes ;Galilæo’s And hence th’ Egregious W izard shall foredoom  e fate of Louis, and the fall of Louis, and the fall of Louis Rome.Rome.Rome

 en cease, bright Nymph ! to mourn thy ravish’d Hair, W hich adds new Glory to the shining Sphere ! Not all the Tresses that fair Head can boast Shall draw such Envy as the Lock you lost. For, after all the Murders of your Eye, W hen, after Millions slain, yourself shall die ;

  











W hen those fair Suns shall set, as set they must, And all those Tresses shall be laid in dust ;  is Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame,Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame,Lock And ’midst the stars inscribe Belinda’s Name !Belinda’s Name !Belinda’s

    



Notes

NOTES, INCLUDING THOSE BY THE AUTHOR

Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos ; Sed juvat, hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis.— Mart.Mart.Mart

IT appears by this motto that the following poem was written orpublished at the lady’s request. But there are some further circum- stances not unworthy relating. Mr. Caryl (a gentleman who was secretary to Queen Mary, wife of James II., whose fortunes he followed into France, author of the comedy of Sir Solomon Single,Sir Solomon Single,Sir Solomon Single and of several translations in Dryden’s miscellanies), originally proposed the subject to him, in a view of putting to an end, by this piece of ridicule, to a quarrel that was risen between two noble families, those of Lord Petre and of Mrs. Fermor, on the trifl ing occasion of his having cut a lock of her hair.  e author sent it to the lady, with whom he was acquainted ; and she took it so well as to give about copies of it.  at fi rst sketch (we learn from one of his letters) was written in less than a fortnight, in , in two Cantos only, and it was so printed ; fi rst, in a miscellany of Bernard Lintott’s, without the name of the author. But it was received so well, that he made it more considerable the next year by the addition of the machinery of the Sylphs, and extended it to fi ve Cantos. We shall give the reader the pleasure of seeing in what manner these additions were inserted, so as to seem not to be added, but to grow out of the poem.



CANTO I

VVV . . Caryl ] In the fi rst edition, C——1. VVV . -. It was in the fi rst Editions,

And dwells such Rage in softest Bosoms then, And lodge such daring Souls in Little Men ?—P.

VVV . , etc. stood thus in the fi rst Edition, Sol through white Curtains did his Beams display, And op’d those Eyes which brighter shine than they ; Shock just had giv’n himself the rowzing Shake,Shock just had giv’n himself the rowzing Shake,Shock And Nymphs prepared their Chocolate to take ;Chocolate to take ;Chocolate  rice the wrought Slipper knock’d against the Ground, And striking Watches the tenth Hour resound.—P.

Ver. . Belinda still, etc.] All the Verses from hence to theBelinda still, etc.] All the Verses from hence to theBelinda still, etc End of the Canto were added afterwards.—P.

Ver. -. “Quae gratia currum Armorumque fuit vivus, quae cura nitentes Pascere equos, eadem sequitur tellure repostos.”

Virg. Æn. vi.—P. Ver. . In the clear Mirror]  e Language of the Platonists,In the clear Mirror]  e Language of the Platonists,In the clear Mirror

the Writers of the intelligible World of Spirits, etc.—P. Ver. . And now unveil’ d, etc.]  e Translation of these

Verses, containing the Description of the Toilet, by our Author’s Friend, Dr. Parnell, deserve, for their Humour, to be here inserted. —P.

“Et nunc dilectum speculum, pro more retectum, Emicat in mensa, quae splendet pyxidae densa : Turn primum lympha se purgat Candida Nympha, Jamque sine menda, ccelestis imago videnda, Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet ocellos. Hac stupet explorans, ceu cultus numen adorans. Inferior claram Pythonissa apparet ad aram, Fertque tibi caute, dicatque superbia ! laute

  Dona venusta ; oris, quae cunctis, plena laboris, Excerpta explorat, dominamque deamque decorat. Pyxide devota, se. pandit hie India tota, Et tota ex istS. transpirat Arabia cista. Testudo hie fl ectit, dum se mea Lesbia pectit; Atque elephas lente te pectit, Lesbia, dente ; Hunc maculis ndris, nivei jacet ille coloris. Hie jacet et munde mundus muliebris abunde ; Spinula resplendens aeris longo ordine pendens, Pulvis suavis odore, et epistola suavis amore. Induit arma ergo Veneris pulcherrima virgo, Pulchrior in praesens tempus de tempore crescens : Jam reparat risus, jam surgit gratia visus, Jam promit cultu miracula latentia vultu ; Pigmina jam miscet, quo plus sua purpura gliscet, Et geminans bellis splendet mage fulgor ocellis. Stant Lemures muti, nymphae itentique saluti, Hie fi git zonam, capiti locat ille coronam, Haec manicis formam, plicis dat et altera normam ; Et tibi vel Betty, tibi vel nitidissima Letty ! Gloria factorum temere conceditur horum.”

V. V. V .  e busy Sylphs, etc.] Ancient Traditions of the Rabbi’s relate, that several of the fallen Angels became amorous of Women, and particularize some: among the rest Asael, who lay with Naamah, the wife of Noah, or of Ham ; and who, continuing impenitent, still presides over the women’s Toilets.—Bereshi Rabbi in Genes. vi. .—P.

CANTO II

V. V. V . Launch’d on the Bosom, etc.] From hence the Poem continues, in the fi rst Edition, to ver. ,

 e rest, the Winds dispers’d in empty Air ; all after, to the End of the Canto, being additional.—P,

 V. V. V . With a single hairWith a single hairW ] In allusion to those lines ofith a single hair] In allusion to those lines ofith a single hair

Hudibras, applied to the same purpose, “And tho’ it be a two foot Trout, ‘Tis with a single hair pull’d out.”—W‘Tis with a single hair pull’d out.”—W‘Tis with a single hair pull’d out.”— .

V. V. V . In the Second Edition, here followed :  ere lay the Sword-knot Sylvia’s hands had sown, With Flavia’s Busk that oft had rapp’d his own : A Fan, a Garter, half a Pair of Gloves, etc.

V. V. V .  e Pow’rs gave Ear] Virg. Æn. xi.—P. e Pow’rs gave Ear] Virg. Æn. xi.—P. e Pow’rs gave Ear V. V. V . And guard with Arms]  e poet was too judiciousAnd guard with Arms]  e poet was too judiciousAnd guard with Arms

to desire this should be understood as a compliment. He intended it for a mere piece of raillery; such as he more openly pursues on another occasion ; when he says,

“Where’s now the Star which lighted Charles to rise ? With that which followed Julius to the skies. Angels, that watch’d the Royal Oak so well, How chanc’d you slept when luckless Sorrel fell ? “—WHow chanc’d you slept when luckless Sorrel fell ? “—WHow chanc’d you slept when luckless Sorrel fell ? “— .

V. V. V . Whether the nymph, etc.Whether the nymph, etc.W ]  e disaster, which makes the subject of this poem, being a trifl e, taken seriously; it natu- rally led the Poet into this fi ne satire on the female estimate of human mischances.

CANTO III

V. V. V . Close by those Meads]  e First Edition continuesClose by those Meads]  e First Edition continuesClose by those Meads from this Line to Ver.  of this Canto.—P.

V. , V. , V . Originally in the First Edition, In various Talk the cheerful Hours they past, Of, who was bit, or who capotted last.—P.

V. V. V . And the long Labours of the Toilet cease] All thatAnd the long Labours of the Toilet cease] All thatAnd the long Labours of the Toilet cease follows of the Game at Ombre, was added since the First Edition, till Ver. , which connected thus,

Sudden the Board with Cups and Spoons is crown’d.—P.

  V. V. V . Sudden the Board ] From hence, the First Edition

continues to Ver. 134.—P. V. V. V . And think of Scylla’s Fate ! ] Vide Ovid, Metam.

viii.—P. V. V. V . In the First Edition it was thus,

As o’er the fragrant Stream she bends her Head.—P.

V. V. V . First he expands the glitt’ring Forfex wide, T’ inclose the Lock ; then joins it to divide :  e meeting Points the sacred Hair dissever From the fair Head, for ever, and for ever !

All that is between was added afterwards.—P. V. -V. -V . In the earlier Editions,

Not louder Shrieks by Dames to Heav’n are cast When Husbands, or when Monkeys, breath their last.

V. , V. , V .

“Dum juga mentis aper, fl uvios dum piscis amabit, Semper honos, nomenque tuum, laudesque manebunt.” Virg.—P.

V. V. V . Atalantis] A famous book written about that timeAtalantis] A famous book written about that timeAtalantis by a woman: full of Court and Party scandal ; and in a loose eff eminacy of style and sentiment, which well suited the debauched taste of the better vulgar.—Wtaste of the better vulgar.—Wtaste of the better vulgar.—W.W

Mrs. Manley, the author of it, was the daughter of Sir Roger Manley, Governor of Guernsey, and the author of the fi rst volume of the famous Turkish Spy, published, from his papers, by Dr. Midgley. She was known and admired by all the wits of the times. She died in the house of Alderman Barber, Swift’s friend ; and was said to have been the mistress of the alderman.

V. . “Ille quoque eversus mons est, etc. Quid faciant crines, cum ferro talia cedant ? ”

Catull, de com, Berenices.



CANTO IV

V. V. V . “At regina gravi,” etc. Virg. Aen. iv. V. V. V . For that sad Moment] All the lines from hence toFor that sad Moment] All the lines from hence toFor that sad Moment

the th Verse, that describe the House of Spleen, are not in the First Edition ; instead, followed only these, W hile her rack’d Soul Repose and Peace requires,  e fi erce  alestris fans the rising Fires. And continued at the th Verse of this Canto.—P.

V. V. V . Homer’s Tripod walks] See Horn. Iliad, xviii., ofHomer’s Tripod walks] See Horn. Iliad, xviii., ofHomer’s Tripod walks Vulcan’s walking Tripods.—P.

V. V. V . And there a Goose-pye talks] Alludes to a real Fact,And there a Goose-pye talks] Alludes to a real Fact,And there a Goose-pye talks a Lady of Distinction imagined herself in this Condition.—P.

V. V. V . Sir Plume repairs] Sir George Brown. He wasSir Plume repairs] Sir George Brown. He wasSir Plume repairs the only one of the Party who took the thing seriously. He was angry that the Poet should make him talk nothing but nonsense ; and in truth one could not well blame him.—Wand in truth one could not well blame him.—Wand in truth one could not well blame him.—W.W

V. V. V . But by this Lock] In allusion to Achilles’ Oath inBut by this Lock] In allusion to Achilles’ Oath inBut by this Lock Homer, II. i.—P.

V. V. V . But Umbriel, hateful Gnome ! forbears not so ;Gnome ! forbears not so ;Gnome ! He breaks the Vial whence the Sorrows fl ow.Vial whence the Sorrows fl ow.Vial

 ese two Lines are additional; and assign the Cause of the diff erent Operation on the Passions of the two Ladies.  e Poem went on before without that Distinction, as without any Machinery, to the end of the Canto.—P.

CANTO V

V. V. V .  en grave Clarissa] A new Character introduced into the subsequent Editions, to open more clearly the Moral of the Poem, in a Parody of the Speech of Sarpedon to Glaucus in Homer.—P.

 

V. -V. -V .  ese lines fi rst occur in the th ed. of . V. V. V . So spoke the Dame] It is a Verse frequently repeatedSo spoke the Dame] It is a Verse frequently repeatedSo spoke the Dame

in Homer after any Speech. “So spoke——and all the heroes applauded.”—P.

V. V. V . To Arms, to Arms ! ] From hence the First EditionTo Arms, to Arms ! ] From hence the First EditionTo Arms, to Arms ! goes on to the Conclusion, except a very few short Insertions added, to keep the Machinery in View to the End of the Poem.—P.

V. V. V . So when bold Homer] Homer, II. xx.—P.So when bold Homer] Homer, II. xx.—P.So when bold Homer V. V. V . Triumphant Umbriel ]  ese four Lines are added for

the Reason before mentioned. Minerva in like manner, during the Battle of Ulysses with the

Suitors in the Odyss., perches on a Beam of the Roof to behold it.—P.

V. V. V .  ose Eyes are made so killing]  e words of a Song ose Eyes are made so killing]  e words of a Song ose Eyes are made so killing in the Opera of Camilla.—P.

V. V. V .  us on Meander’s fl ow’ry Margin lies] “Sic ubi fata vocant, udis abjectus in herbis, Ad vada Maeandri concinit albus olor.” Ovid. Ep.—P.

V. V. V . Now Jove] Vide Homer, II. viii., and Virg. Aen.Now Jove] Vide Homer, II. viii., and Virg. Aen.Now Jove xii.—P.

V. V. V .  e Gnomes direct]  ese two Lines added for the e Gnomes direct]  ese two Lines added for the e Gnomes direct same Reason.—P.

V. V. V .  e same, his ancient Personage to deck] In Imitation e same, his ancient Personage to deck] In Imitation e same, his ancient Personage to deck of the Progress of Agamemnon’s Sceptre in Homer, II. ii.—P.

V. V. V . Since all things lost] Vide Ariosto, Canto xxxiv.—P.Since all things lost] Vide Ariosto, Canto xxxiv.—P.Since all things lost V. V. V . “Flammiferumque trahens spatioso limite crinem

Stella micat.” Ovid.—P. V. V. V .  e Sylphs behold]  ese two Lines added for the e Sylphs behold]  ese two Lines added for the e Sylphs behold

same Reason, to keep in View the Machinery of the Poem.—P. V. V. V .  is Partridge] John Partridge was a ridiculous

Star-gazer, who, in his Almanac, never failed to predict the Down- fall of the Pope, and the King of France, then at War with theWar with theW English.—P.