This erring mortals Levity may call,
Oh blind to truth! the Sylphs contrive it all.
Of thefe am I, who thy protection claim,
A watchful sprite, and Ariel is my name.
Late, as I rang'd the cryftal wilds of air,
In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star
I faw, alas! fome dread event impend,
Ere to the main this morning fun defcend;

But heav'n reveals not what, or how, or where :
Warn'd by the Sylph, oh pious maid, beware!
This to difclofe is all thy guardian can :
Beware of all, but moft beware of Man!

105

110

He faid; when Shock, who thought the flept too

long, 115 Leap'd up, and wak'd his miftrefs with his tongue. 'Twas then, Belinda, if report fay true,

Thy eyes
Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no fooner read,
But all the Vision vanish'd from thy head.

firft open'd on a Billet-doux;

120

VER. 108. In the clear Mirror] The Language of the Platonifts, the writers of the intelligible world of Spirits, etc.

VER. 113. This to difclofe, etc.] There is much pleafantry in the conduct of this scene. The Roficrufian Doctrine was delivered only to Adepts, with the utmoft caution, and under the most folemn feal of fecrecy. It is here communicated to a Woman, and in that way of conveyance a Woman mcft delights to make the fubject of her converfation, that is to fay, her Dreams.

And now, unveil'd, the Toilet ftands difplay'd,
Each filver Vafe in myftic order laid.

First, rob'd in white, the Nymph intent adores,
With head uncover'd, the Cofmetic pow'rs.
A heav'nly Image in the glafs appears,

To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears;
Th' inferior Prieftefs, at her altar's fide,
Trembling, begins the facred rites of Pride.
Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here
The various off`rings of the world appear;
From each fhe nicely culls with curious toil,
And decks the Goddess with the glitt'ring spoil.
This casket India's glowing gems unlocks,
And all Arabia breathes from yonder box.
The Tortoife here and Elephant unite,

125

130

135

Transform'd to combs, the speckled, and the white.
Here files of pins extend their fhining rows,
Puffs, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux.
Now awful beauty puts on all its arms;
The fair each moment rifes in her charms,
Repairs her fmiles, awakens ev'ry grace,
And calls forth all the wonders of her face;
Sees by degrees a purer blush arise,

140

And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes.
The bufy Sylphs furround their darling care, 145
These set the head, and those divide the hair,

VER. 145. The bufy Sylphs, etc.] Ancient Traditions of the Rabbi's relate, that several of the fallen Angels became amorous VOL. I.

L

Some fold the fleeve, whilst others plait the gown ; And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own.

of Women, and particularize fome; among the reft Afael, who lay with Naamah, the wife of Noah, or of Ham; and who continuing impenitent, ftill prefides over the Women's Toilets. Berefhi Rabbi in Genef, vi. 2.

THE

RAPE of the LOCK.

CANTO II.

WOT with more glories, in th' etherial plain,.
The Sun firft rifes o'er the purpled main,

Than, issuing forth, the rival of his beams

Launch'd on the bofom of the filver Thames. Fair Nymphs, and well-dreft Youths around her fhone,

But ev'ry eye was fix'd on her alone.

On her white breast a sparkling Cross she wore,
Which Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore.
Her lively looks a fprightly mind difclofe,
Quick as her eyes, and as unfix'd as those :
Favours to none, to all the smiles extends ;
Oft fhe rejects, but never once offends.
Bright as the fun, her eyes the gazers ftrike,
And, like the fun, they fhine on all alike.

VARIATIONS.

VER. 4. Launch'd on the bofom] From hence the poem continues in the firft Edition, to 46.

The reft the winds difpers'd in empty air; all after, to the end of this Canto, being additional.

Yet graceful eafe, and sweetness void of pride 15 Might hide her faults, if Belles had faults to hide : If to her share some female errors fall,

Look on her face and you'll forget 'em all.

21

This Nymph, to the destruction of mankind, Nourish'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind In equal curls, and well confpir'd to deck With fhining ringlets the fmooth iv'ry neck. Love in these labyrinths his flaves detains, And mighty hearts are held in flender chains. With hairy fpringes we the birds betray, Slight lines of hair furprize the finny prey, Fair treffes man's imperial race enfnare, And beauty draws us with a fingle hair.

25

30

Th' advent'rous Baron the bright locks admir'd; He faw, he wifh'd, and to the prize afpir'd. Refolv'd to win, he meditates the way, By force to ravifh, or by fraud betray; For when fuccess a Lover's toil attends, Few afk, if fraud or force attain'd his ends. For this, ere Phoebus rofe, he had implor'd 35 Propitious heav'n, and ev'ry pow'r ador'd; But chiefly Love to Love an Altar built, Of twelve vaft French Romances, neatly gilt. There lay three garters, half a pair of gloves; And all the trophies of his former loves. With tender billet-doux he lights the pyre, And breathes three am'rous fighs to raise the fire.

40