The fkilful Nymph reviews her force with care: Let Spades be trumps! she said, and trumps they were. Now move to war her fable Matadores, In fhow like leaders of the fwarthy Moors. Spadillio first, unconquerable Lord! 46 Led off two captive trumps, and fwept the board. And march'd a victor from the verdant field. years, The reft, his many-colour'd robe conceal'd. 51 55 бо Ev'n mighty Pam, that Kings and Queens o'erthrew Thus far both armies to Belinda yield; L 2 65 What VER. 47. Now move to war, etc.] The whole idea of this defcription of a game at Ombre, is taken from Vida's defcription of a game at Chefs, in his poem intit. Scacchia Ludus. What boots the regal circle on his head, 71 75 Th' embroider'd King who fhows but half his face, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild diforder feen, 81 85 In heaps on heaps; one fate o'erwhelms them all. 99 At this, the blood the virgin's cheek forfook, 100 O thought O thoughtless mortals! ever blind to fate, Too foon dejected, and too foon elate. Sudden, these honours fhall be fratch'd away, And curs'd for ever this victorious day. For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crown'd, The berries crackle, and the mill turns round; 106 On fhining Altars of Japan they raise III The filver lamp; the fiery spirits blaze: L 3 120 Chang'd VER. 122. and think of Scylla's Fate !] Vide Ovid Metam. viii. P. VARIATIONS. VER. 105. Sudden the board, etc.] From hence, the firft Edition continues to v. 134. VER. IOI. IMITATIONS. P. Nefcia mens hominum fati fortifque futuræ, Virg. Chang'd to a bird, and fent to flit in air, 124 But when to mischief mortals bend their will, How foon they find fit inftruments of ill? Juft then, Clariffa drew with tempting grace A two-edg❜d weapon from her fhining case: So Ladies in Romance affift their Knight, Present the fpear, and arm him for the fight. 136 He takes the gift with rev'rence, and extends The little engine on his finger's ends; This juft behind Belinda's neck he spread, As o'er the fragrant fteams fhe bends her head. Swift to the Lock a thousand Sprites repair, A thousand wings, by turns, blow back the hair; And thrice they twitch'd the diamond in her ear; Thrice fhe look'd back, and thrice the foe drew near. Juft in that inftant, anxious Ariel fought VARIATIONS. VER. 134. In the first Edition it was thus, All that is between was added afterwards. 135 140 The v. 154. P. The Peer now spreads the glitt'ring Forfex wide, '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; 150 Fate urg'd the sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain, (But airy substance, soon unites again) The meeting points the facred hair diffever 154 Then flash'd the living lightning from her eyes, As long as Atalantis fhall be read, While visits shall be paid on folemn days, 160 165 When num'rous wax-lights in bright order blaze, While nymphs take treats, or affignations give, 169 So long my honour, name, and praise fhall live! VER. 152. But airy fubftance] See Milton, lib. vi. of Satan cut afunder by the Angel Michael. P. VER. 165. Atalantis] A famous book written about that time by a woman: full of Court, and Party-scandal; and in a loose effeminacy of style and fentiment, which well fuited the debauched taste of the better Vulgar. VER. 163, 170. IMITATIONS. Dum juga montis aper, fluvios dum piscis amabit, Virg. |