He faid; when Shock, who thought the flept too long, 115. Leap'd up, and wak'd his mistress with his tongue. 'Twas then, Belinda, if report fay true, Thy eyes first open'd on a Billet-doux ; Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no fooner read, But all the Vifion vanish'd from thy head. And now, unveil'd, the Toilet stands display'd, Each filver vafe in myftic order laid. 120 First, rob'd in white, the Nymph intent adores, 125 To that the bends, to that her eyes fhe rears; 130 135 Transform'd to combs, the fpeckled and the white. And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes. 140 feal of fecrecy. Is is here communicated to a Woman, and in that way of conveyance a Woman moft delights to make the subject of her converfation, that is to fay, her Dreams. 145 The bufy Sylphs furround their darling care, VER. 145. The busy Sylphs, etc.] Ancient Traditions of the Rabbi's relate, that feveral of the fallen Angels became amorous 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, Bereshi Rabbi in Genef. vi. 2. THE RAPE of the LOCK. N CANTO IL T with more glories, in th' etherial plain, Than, iffuing forth, the rival of his beams Launch'd on the bofom of the filver'd Thames. Fair Nymphs, and well-drefs'd Youths, around her fhone, But ev'ry eye was fix'd on her alone. 6 On her white breaft a sparkling Crofs fhe wore, Which Jews might kifs, and Infidels adore. Might hide her faults, if Belles had faults to hide : If to her share fome female errors fall, Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all. This Nymph, to the destruction of mankind, Nourish'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind 20 In equal curls, and well confpir'd to deck With fhining ringlets the fmooth iv'ry neck. VARIATIONS. VER. 4. Launch'd on the bofom] From hence the poem continues, in the first edition, to ver. 46. The reft the winds difpers'd in empty air; all after, to the end of this Canto, being additional, Love in these labyrinths his flaves detains, And Beauty draws us with a fingle hair. Th' advent'rous Baron the bright locks admir'd; He faw, he wish'd, and to the prize afpir'd, Refolv'd to win, he meditates the way, By force to ravish, or by fraud betray; For when fuccefs a Lover's toil attends, Few afk, if fraud or force attain'd his ends. For this, ere Phoebus rofe, he had implor'd 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, 25 30 35 40' And breathes three am'rous fighs to raise the fire. Then proftrate falls, and begs with ardent eyes The pow'rs gave ear, and granted half his pray'r, 45 But now fecure the painted veffel glides, IMITATIONS. V&R. 45. The pow'rs gave ear,] Virg. Æn. xi. 50 He fummons ftrait his Denizens of air; 55 The lucid fquadrons round the fails repair: Superior by the head, was Ariel plac'd; Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your chief give ear, 65 Some in the fields of pureft æther play, 70 75 80 Or dip their pinions in the painted bow, Or brew fierce tempefts on the wintry main, 85 Or o'er the glebe distil the kindly rain. Watch all their ways, and all their actions guide: |