Tis but their Sylph, the wise Celestials know,
Tho Honour is the word with Men below,
Some nymphs there are, too conscious of their

face,
For life predestin'd to the Gnomes embrace. 80
These swell their prospects and exalt their pride,
When offers are disdain’d, and love deny’d:
Then gay Ideas croud the vacant brain,
While Peers, and Dukes, and all their sweeping train,
And Garters, Stars, and Coronets appear,

85 And in soft sounds, Your Grace falutes their ear. 'Tis these that early taint the female soul, Instruct the eyes of young Coquettes to roll, Teach Infant-cheeks a bidden blush to know, And little hearts to flutter at a Beau:

90 Oft, when the World imagine women stray, The Sylphs thro' mystic mazes guide their way, Thro' all the giddy circle they pursue, And old impertinence expel by new, What tender maid but mult a victim fall

95 To one man's treat, but for another's ball ? When Florio speaks what virgin could withstand, If gentle Damon did not squeeze her hand ? With varying vanities, from ev'ry part, They shift the moving Toyshop of their hearts

K 4

Where

Ver.78. Tho? Honour is the word with Men below.] Parody of Homer.

VER. 79. too conscious of their face,] i. e, too sensible of their beauty,

IOL

Where wigs with wigs, with sword-knots sword.

knots strive,
Beaux banish beaux, and coaches coaches drive.
This erring mortals Levity may call,
Oh blind to truth ! the Sylphs contrive it all.

Of these am I, who thy protection claim, 105 A watchful sprite, and Ariel is my name.

. Late, as I rang'a the crystal wilds of air, In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star I saw, alas ! fome dread event impend, Ere to the main this morning sun descend, But heav'n reveals not what, or how, or where : Warn’d by the Sylph, oh pious maid, beware! This to disclofe is all thy guardian can: Beware of all, but most beware of Man ! He said; when Shock, who thought she slept

too long, Leap'd up, and wak'd his mistress with his tongue. 'Twas then Belinda, if report say true, Thy eyes first open'd on a Billet-doux ; Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no sooner read, But all the Vision vanish'd from thy head.

115

I 20

And

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

IMITATIONS.
VER. 101.

Jam clypeus clypeis, umbone repellitur umbo,
Enfe minax enfis, pede pes et cufpide cuspis, etc. Stat.
And now, unveild, the Toilet stands display'd,
Each silver Vase in mystic order laid.
First, rob’d in white, the Nymph intent adores,
With head uncover'd, the Cosmetic pow'rs.
A heav'nly Image in the glass appears, 125
To that she bends, to that her

eyes
The

Th'

rears ;

Ver. 121. And now, unveild, etc.] The translation of these verses, containing the description of the toilette, by. our Author's friend Dr. Parnelle, deserve for their hu-. mour, to be here inserted. P.

Et nunc dilectum speculum, pro more. reteétum,
Enicat in mensa, quæ fplendet pyxide denia :
Tum primum lympha, fe purgat candida Nympha,
Jamque fine menda, cælestis imago videnda,
Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet ocellos.
Hæc ftupet explorans, ceu cultûs numen adorans.
Inferior claram Pythoniffa apparet ad aram,
Fertque tibi caute, dicatque Superbia ! laute,
Dona venufta ; oris, quæ cunctis, plena laboris,
Excerpta explorat, dominamque deamque decorat,
Pyxide devota, se pandit hic India tota,
Et tota ex ista transpirat Arabia cista;
Testudo hic flectit, dum se mea Lesbia pectit;
Atque elephas lente, te pectit Lesbia dente ;
Hunc maculis noris, nivei jacet ille coloris.
Hic jacet et munde, mundus muliebris abunde ;
Spinula resplendens æris longo ordine pendens,
Pulvis suavis odore, et epiftola suavis amore.
Induit arma ergo Veneris pulcherrima virgo ;
Pulchrior in præfens tempus de tempore crescens ;
Jam reparat risus, jam surgit gratia vifus,
Jam promit cultu, miracola latentia vultu ;
Pigmina jam mifcet, quo plus fua Purpura glifcet,
Et geminans bellis splendet mage fulgor ocellis.
Stant Lemures muti, Nymphæ intentique falati,
Hic figit Zonam, capiti locat ille Coronam,
Hæc manicis formam, plicis dat et altera normam ;
Et tibi vel Betty, tibi vel nitidiffima Letty!
Gloria factorum temere conceditur horum.

Th’ inferior Priestess, at her altar's fide,
Trembling, begins the facred ritęs of Pride.
Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here.
The various off'rings of the world appear ;

130
From each the 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 Tortoise here and Elephant unite, 135
Transform'd to combs, the fpeckled, and the white.
Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux.
Now awful Beauty puts on all its arms;
The fair each moment rises in her charms, 140
Repairs her smiles, awakens ev'ry grace,
And calls forth all the wonders of her face;
Sees by degrees a purer blush arise,
And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes.
The busy Sylphs surround their darling care, 145
These 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.

VER. 145. The busy Sylphs, etc.] Antient Traditions of the Rabbi's relate, that several of the fallen Angels became amorous of Women, and particularly fome;

among the rest Afael, who lay with Naamah, the wife of Noah, or of Ham ; and who coatinuing impenitent, still prelides over the Women's Toilets. Berelhi Rabbi in Genel. vi. 2. P.

THE T H E

RAPE of the LOCK.

CAN TO II.

N

TOT with more glories, in th' etherial plain,

The Sun first rises o'er the purpled main, Than, issuing forth, the rival of his beams Launch'd on the bosom of the silver Thames. Fair Nymphs, and well-drest Youths around her shone,

S But ev'ry eye was fix'd on her alone. On her white breast a sparkling Cross the wore, Which Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore. Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose, Quick as her eyes, and as unfix'd as those : Favours to none, to all she smiles extends ; Oft she rejects, but never once offends. Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike,

, And, like the sun, they shine on all alike. Yet graceful ease, and sweetness void of pride 55 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.

This VARIATIONS. VER. 4. Launch'd on the boom] From hence the poem continues, in the first Edition, co v. 46.

The rest the winds dispers'd in empty air, all after, to the end of this Canto, being additional. P.