Pope, Rape of the Lock

The
RAPE of the LOCK.
an
heroi-comical
P O E M.

In Five Canto’s.

Alexander Pope

Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos, Sed juvat hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis. Martial.	“Belinda, I did not want to violate your locks, but I am glad to have given that much to your prayers.” Martial, 12.84.
Canto I
What dire Offence from am’rous° Causes springs,	related to love
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things,
I sing — This Verse to C——, Muse! is due;
This, ev’n Belinda may vouchsafe° to view:	agree
Slight is the Subject, but not so the Praise,
If She inspire, and He approve my Lays.°	poem
Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou’d compel
A well-bred Lord t’ assault a gentle Belle?
Oh say what stranger Cause, yet unexplor’d,
Cou’d make a gentle Belle reject a Lord? [1.10]
And dwells such Rage° in softest Bosoms then?	does such rage dwell
And lodge such daring Souls in Little Men?
Sol° thro’ white Curtains shot a tim’rous Ray,	the sun
And op’d those Eyes that must eclipse the Day;
Now Lapdogs give themselves the rowzing Shake,
And sleepless Lovers, just at Twelve, awake:
Thrice rung the Bell, the Slipper knock’d the Ground,
And the press’d Watch return’d a silver Sound.
Belinda still her downy Pillow prest,
Her Guardian Sylph° prolong’d the balmy Rest. [1.20]	fairy, spirit
’Twas he had summon’d to her silent Bed
The Morning-Dream that hover’d o’er her Head.
A Youth more glitt’ring than a Birth-night Beau,°	fashionable man dressed for a party
(That ev’n in Slumber caus’d her Cheek to glow)
Seem’d to her Ear his winning Lips to lay,
And thus in Whispers 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 Thought,
Of all the Nurse and all the Priest have taught, [1.30]
Of airy Elves by Moonlight Shadows seen,
The silver Token, and the circled Green,
Or Virgins visited by Angel-Pow’rs,
With Golden Crowns and Wreaths of heav’nly Flowers,
Hear and believe! thy own Importance know,
Nor bound° thy narrow Views to Things below.	and don’t limit
Some secret Truths from Learned Pride conceal’d,
To Maids alone and Children are reveal’d:
What tho’ no Credit° doubting Wits may give?	belief
The Fair and Innocent shall still believe. [1.40]
Know then, unnumbered Spirits round thee fly,
The light Militia of the lower Sky;
These, tho’ unseen, are ever on the Wing,
Hang o’er the Box,° and hover round the Ring.	expensive theater seats
Think what an Equipage° thou hast in Air,	group of attendants
And view with scorn Two Pages — and a Chair.	footboys
As now your own, our Beings were of old,°	once upon a time
And once inclos’d in Woman’s beauteous Mold;°	physical body
Thence,° by a soft Transition, we repair°	from there — go
From earthly Vehicles to these of Air. [1.50]
Think not, when Woman’s transient Breath is fled,
That 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,	golden carriages
And Love of Ombre,° after Death survive.	a card game
For when the Fair in all their Pride expire,
To their first Elements the Souls retire:°	return
The Sprights° of fiery Termagants° in Flame	spirits — obnoxious women
Mount up, and take a Salamander’s Name. [1.60]
Soft yielding Minds to Water glide away,
And sip with Nymphs, their Elemental Tea.
The graver° Prude sinks downward to a Gnome,	more serious
In search of Mischief still on Earth to roam.
The light Coquettes° in Sylphs aloft repair,°	flirts — go
And sport and flutter in the Fields of Air.
Know farther yet; Whoever fair and chaste°	beautiful and virginal
Rejects Mankind, is by some Sylph embrac’d:
For Spirits, freed from mortal Laws, with ease
Assume what Sexes and what Shapes they please. [1.70]
What guards the Purity of melting° Maids,	overwhelmed
In Courtly Balls,° and Midnight Masquerades,	fancy dances
Safe from the treach’rous Friend, and daring Spark,°	fashionable man
The Glance by Day, the Whisper in the Dark;
When kind Occasion° prompts° their warm Desires,	opportunity — starts up
When Musick softens, and when Dancing fires?
’Tis but their Sylph, the wise Celestials know,
Tho’ Honour is the Word with Men below.°	on earth
Some Nymphs there are, too conscious of their Face,
For Life predestin’d to the Gnomes Embrace. [1.80]
These swell° their Prospects° and exalt their Pride,	exaggerate — future
When Offers are disdain’d, and Love deny’d.
Then gay° Ideas crowd the vacant Brain;	frivolous
While Peers° and Dukes, and all their sweeping Train,	noblemen
And Garters, Stars, and Coronets appear,
And in soft Sounds, Your Grace salutes° their Ear.	greets
’Tis these that early taint the Female Soul,
Instruct the Eyes of young Coquettes° to roll,	flirts
Teach Infants Cheeks a bidden° Blush to know,	called for
And little Hearts to flutter at a Beau.° [1.90]	attractive man
Oft when the World imagine Women stray,
The Sylphs thro’ mystick Mazes guide their Way,
Thro’ all the giddy Circle they pursue,
And old Impertinence° expel by new.	rudeness
What tender Maid but must a Victim fall
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 Heart; [1.100]
Where Wigs with Wigs, with Sword-knots Sword-knots strive,
Beaus banish Beaus, and Coaches Coaches drive.
This erring° Mortals Levity° may call,	mistaken — frivolousness
Oh blind to Truth! the Sylphs contrive° it all.	plan
Of these am I, who thy Protection claim,
A watchful Sprite,° and Ariel is my Name.	spirit
Late,° as I rang’d the Crystal Wilds of Air,	recently
In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star
I saw, alas! some dread° Event impend,°	terrible — hang over
E’re° to the Main° this Morning Sun descend. [1.110]	before — sea
But Heav’n reveals not what, or how, or where:
Warn’d by thy Sylph, oh Pious Maid beware!
This to disclose° is all thy Guardian can.	to reveal this
Beware of all, but most beware of Man!
He said; when Shock,° who thought she slept too long,	name of a lapdog
Leapt 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.°	love letter
Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no sooner read,
But all the Vision vanish’d from thy Head. [1.120]
And now, unveil’d, the Toilet° stands display’d,	dressing table
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,
To that she bends, to that her Eyes she rears;°	raises
Th’ inferior Priestess, at her Altar’s side,
Trembling, begins the sacred Rites of Pride.
Unnumber’d Treasures ope at once, and here
The various Off’rings of the World appear; [1.130]
From each she nicely° culls° with curious Toil,	carefully, precisely — removes
And decks° the Goddess with the glitt’ring Spoil.	dresses
This Casket India’s glowing Gems unlocks,
And all Arabia breathes from yonder Box.
The Tortoise here and Elephant unite,
Transform’d to Combs, the speckled and the white.
Here Files of Pins extend their shining Rows,
Puffs, Powders, Patches,° Bibles, Billet-doux.	artificial beauty spots
Now awful° Beauty puts on all its Arms;°	awe-inspiring — armor
The Fair each moment rises in her Charms, [1.140]
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.	come to life
The busy Sylphs surround their darling Care;
These set the Head, and those divide the Hair,
Some fold the Sleeve, while others plait the Gown;
And Betty’s° prais’d for Labours not her own.	the maid
Canto II
Not with more Glories, in th’ Etherial Plain,
The Sun first rises o’er the purpled Main,°	ocean
Than issuing forth, the Rival of his Beams
Lanch’d on the Bosom of the Silver Thames.°	London’s major river
Fair Nymphs, and well-drest Youths around her shone,
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.	atheists
Her lively Looks a sprightly Mind disclose,
Quick as her Eyes, and as unfix’d as those: [2.10]
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,
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 Nymph, to the Destruction of Mankind,
Nourish’d two Locks, which graceful hung behind [2.20]
In equal Curls, and well conspir’d to deck°	decorate
With shining Ringlets her smooth Iv’ry Neck.
Love in these Labyrinths his Slaves detains,
And mighty Hearts are held in slender Chains.
With hairy Sprindges° we the Birds betray,	snares
Slight Lines of Hair surprize the Finny Prey,°	fish
Fair Tresses° Man’s Imperial Race insnare,	locks of hair
And Beauty draws us with a single Hair.
Th’ Adventrous Baron the bright Locks admir’d,
He saw, he wish’d, and to the Prize aspir’d: [2.30]
Resolv’d° to win, he meditates the way,	determined
By Force to ravish,° or by Fraud betray;	carry off
For when Success a Lover’s Toil attends,°	accompanies
Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain’d his Ends.
For this, e’re° Phœbus° rose, he had implor’d	before — the sun
Propitious° Heav’n, and ev’ry Pow’r ador’d,	favorable
But chiefly Love — to Love an Altar built,
Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt.32
There lay three Garters, half a Pair of Gloves;
And all the Trophies of his former Loves. [2.40]
With tender Billet-doux° he lights the Pyre,	love letters
And breathes three am’rous° Sighs to raise the Fire.	loving
Then prostrate° falls, and begs with ardent Eyes	face-down
Soon to obtain, and long possess the Prize:
The Pow’rs gave Ear, and granted half his Pray’r,
The rest, the Winds dispers’d in empty Air.
But now secure the painted Vessel glides,
The Sun-beams trembling on the floating Tydes,
While melting Musick steals upon° the Sky,	sneaks up on
And soften’d Sounds along the Waters die. [2.50]
Smooth flow the Waves, the Zephyrs° gently play,	light breezes
Belinda smil’d, and all the World was gay.°	carefree
All but the Sylph — With careful Thoughts opprest,
Th’ impending° Woe sate° heavy on his Breast.	threatening — sat
He summons strait° his Denizens° of Air;	right away — citizens
The lucid° Squadrons round the Sails repair:	bright
Soft o’er the Shrouds Aerial Whispers breathe,
That seem’d but Zephyrs to the Train° beneath.	followers
Some to the Sun their Insect-Wings unfold,
Waft on the Breeze, or sink in Clouds of Gold. [2.60]
Transparent Forms, too fine for mortal Sight,
Their fluid Bodies half dissolv’d in Light.
Loose to the Wind their airy Garments flew,
Thin glitt’ring Textures of the filmy Dew;
Dipt in the richest Tincture° of the Skies,	color, dye
Where Light disports° in ever-mingling Dies,	plays
While ev’ry Beam new transient° Colours flings,	changing
Colours that change whene’er they wave their Wings.
Amid the Circle, on the gilded Mast,
Superior° by the Head, was Ariel plac’d; [2.70]	high up
His Purple Pinions° opening to the Sun,	wings
He rais’d his Azure° Wand, and thus begun.	sky-blue
Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your Chief give Ear,
Fays, Fairies, Genii, Elves, and Dæmons° hear!	(all supernatural beings)
Ye know the Spheres and various Tasks assign’d,
By Laws Eternal, to th’ Aerial Kind.
Some in the Fields of purest æther play,
And bask and whiten in the Blaze of Day.
Some guide the Course of wandring Orbs° on high,	planets
Or roll the Planets thro’ the boundless Sky. [2.80]
Some less refin’d, beneath the Moon’s pale Light
Hover, and catch the shooting stars by Night;
Or suck the Mists in grosser° Air below,	heavier, denser
Or dip their Pinions° in the painted Bow,	wings
Or brew fierce Tempests° on the wintry Main,°	storms — sea
Or o’er the Glebe° distill the kindly Rain.	soil
Others on Earth o’er human Race preside,
Watch all their Ways, and all their Actions guide:
Of these the Chief the Care of Nations own,
And guard with Arms Divine the British Throne. [2.90]
Our humbler Province° is to tend the Fair,°	responsibility — beautiful
Not a less pleasing, tho’ less glorious Care.
To save the Powder from too rude° a Gale,°	strong — wind
Nor let th’ imprison’d Essences° exhale,	perfumes
To draw fresh Colours from the vernal° Flow’rs,	green, growing
To steal from Rainbows ere° they drop in Show’rs	before
A brighter Wash; to curl their waving Hairs,
Assist their Blushes, and inspire their Airs;
Nay oft, in Dreams, Invention° we bestow,	imagination
To change a Flounce, or add a Furbelo.° [2.100]	decorative parts of a gown
This Day, black Omens threat the brightestFair
That e’er deserv’d a watchful Spirit’s Care;
Some dire Disaster, or° by Force, or Slight,	either
But what, or where, the Fates have wrapt in Night.
Whether the Nymph shall break Diana’s Law,
Or some frail China Jar receive a Flaw,
Or stain her Honour, or her new Brocade,°	(a kind of fabric)
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. [2.110]	Belinda’s lapdog
Haste° then ye Spirits! to your Charge° repair;°	hurry — responsibility — go
The flutt’ring Fan be Zephyretta’s Care;
The Drops° to thee, Brillante, we consign;°	diamond earrings — entrust
And Momentilla, let the Watch be thine;
Do thou, Crispissa, tend her fav’rite Lock;
Ariel himself shall be the Guard of Shock.
To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special Note,
We trust th’ important Charge, the Petticoat.°	underwear
Oft have we known that sev’nfold Fence to fail;
Tho’ stiff with Hoops, and arm’d with Ribs of Whale. [2.120]
Form a strong Line about the Silver Bound,
And guard the wide Circumference around.
Whatever spirit, careless of his Charge,
His Post neglects, or leaves the Fair at large,
Shall feel sharp Vengeance soon o’ertake his Sins,
Be stopt in Vials, or transfixt with Pins.
Or plung’d in Lakes of bitter Washes lie,
Or wedg’d whole Ages in a Bodkin’s° Eye:	hairpin
Gums and Pomatums° shall his Flight restrain,	hair gels
While clog’d he beats his silken Wings in vain; [2.130]
Or Alom-Stypticks° with contracting Power	astringent substances
Shrink his thin Essence like a rivell’d Flower.
Or as Ixion fix’d, the Wretch shall feel
The giddy Motion of the whirling Mill,
In Fumes of burning Chocolate° shall glow,	(always a drink at this time)
And tremble at the Sea that froaths 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; [2.140]	earrings
With beating Hearts the dire Event° they wait,	terrible outcome
Anxious, and trembling for the Birth of Fate.
Canto III
Close by those Meads° for ever crown’d with Flow’rs,	meadows
Where Thames with Pride surveys his rising Tow’rs,
There stands a Structure of Majestick Frame,
Which from the neighb’ring Hampton° takes its Name.	Hampton Court, a palace
Here Britain’s Statesmen oft the Fall foredoom°	predict
Of Foreign Tyrants, and of Nymphs at home;
Here Thou, great Anna!° whom three Realms obey,	Queen Anne
Dost sometimes Counsel° take — and sometimes Tea.	advice
Hither° the Heroes and the Nymphs resort,	to hear
To taste awhile the Pleasures of a Court; [3.10]
In various Talk th’ instructive hours they past,
Who gave the Ball,° or paid the Visit last:	hosted the dance
One speaks the Glory of the British Queen,
And one describes a charming Indian Screen.°	portable room divider
A third interprets Motions, Looks, and Eyes;
At ev’ry Word a Reputation dies.
Snuff,° or the Fan, supply each Pause of Chat,	powdered tobacco for snorting
With singing, laughing, ogling,° and all that.	staring
Mean while declining from the Noon of Day,
The Sun obliquely° shoots his burning Ray; [3.20]	from an angle
The hungry Judges soon the Sentence sign,
And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine;
The Merchant from th’ exchange° returns in Peace,	stock exchange
And the long Labours of the Toilette° cease —	dressing table
Belinda now, whom Thirst of Fame invites,
Burns to encounter two adventrous Knights,
At Ombre singly to decide their Doom;°	fate
And swells her Breast with Conquests yet to come.
Strait° the three Bands° prepare in Arms to join,	at once — groups
Each Band the number of the Sacred Nine.° [3.30]	the Muses
Soon as she spreads her Hand, th’ Aerial Guard
Descend, and sit on each important Card,
First Ariel perch’d upon a Matadore,
Then each, according to the Rank they bore;
For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient Race,
Are, as when Women, wondrous fond of place.
Behold, four Kings in Majesty rever’d,
With hoary° Whiskers and a forky Beard;	snow-white
And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a Flow’r,
Th’ expressive Emblem of their softer Pow’r; [3.40]
Four Knaves° in Garbs succinct,° a trusty Band,	jacks — wrapped up
Caps on their heads, and Halberds° in their hand;	battle axes
And Particolour’d° Troops, a shining Train,°	multicolored — followers
Draw forth to Combat on the Velvet Plain.
The skilful Nymph reviews her Force with Care;
Let Spades be Trumps, she said, and Trumps they were.
Now move to War her Sable° Matadores,	black
In Show like Leaders of the swarthy° Moors.°	dark — North Africans
Spadillio° first, unconquerable Lord!	the ace of spades
Led off two captive Trumps, and swept the Board. [3.50]
As many more Manillio forc’d to yield,
And march’d a Victor from the verdant Field.
Him Basto follow’d, but his Fate more hard
Gain’d but one Trump and one Plebeian° Card.	unimportant
With his broad Sabre next, a Chief in Years,
The hoary° Majesty of Spades appears;	old
Puts forth one manly Leg, to sight reveal’d;
The rest his many-colour’d Robe conceal’d.
The Rebel-Knave, who dares his Prince engage,
Proves° the just Victim of his Royal Rage. [3.60]	turns out to be
Ev’n mighty Pam that Kings and Queens o’erthrow,
And mow’d down Armies in the Fights of Lu,°	a card game
Sad Chance of War! now, destitute° of Aid,	lacking
Falls undistinguish’d by the Victor Spade.
Thus far both Armies to Belinda yield;
Now to the Baron Fate inclines the Field.
His warlike Amazon her Host invades,
Th’ Imperial Consort° of the Crown of Spades.	queen
The Club’s black Tyrant first her Victim dy’d,
Spite of his haughty Mien,° and barb’rous Pride: [3.70]	appearance
What boots° the Regal° Circle on his Head,	benefits — royal
His Giant Limbs in State unwieldy spread?
That long behind he trails his pompous Robe,
And of all Monarchs only grasps the Globe?
The Baron now his Diamonds pours apace;°	quickly
Th’ embroider’d King who shows but half his Face,
And his refulgent° Queen, with Pow’rs combin’d,	shining
Of broken Troops an easie Conquest find.
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild Disorder seen,
With Throngs promiscuous° strow the level Green. [3.80]	mixed
Thus when dispers’d a routed° Army runs,	defeated
Of Asia’s Troops, and Africk’s Sable° Sons,	black
With like Confusion different Nations fly,
In various habits and of various Dye,°	color
The pierc’d Battalions dis-united fall,
In Heaps on Heaps; one Fate o’erwhelms them all.
The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily Arts,°	clever tricks
And wins (oh shameful Chance!) the Queen of Hearts.
At this, the Blood the Virgin’s Cheek forsook,°	abandoned
A livid° Paleness spreads o’er all her Look; [3.90]	ghastly white
She sees, and trembles at th’ approaching Ill,
Just in the Jaws of Ruin, and Codille.
And now, (as oft° in some distemper’d State)	often
On one nice Trick depends the gen’ral Fate.
An Ace of Hearts steps forth: The King unseen
Lurk’d in her Hand, and mourn’d his captive Queen.
He springs to Vengeance with an eager pace,
And falls like Thunder on the prostrate° Ace.	lying on its face
The Nymph exulting° fills with Shouts the Sky,	victorious
The Walls, the Woods, and long Canals reply.° [3.100]	echo
Oh thoughtless Mortals! ever blind to Fate,
Too soon dejected,° and too soon elate!°	depressed — thrilled
Sudden these Honours shall be snatch’d away,
And curs’d for ever this Victorious Day.
For lo! the Board° with Cups and Spoons is crown’d,	table
The Berries° crackle, and the Mill° turns round.	coffee beans — grinder
On shining Altars of Japan° they raise	Asian-style varnish
The silver Lamp; the fiery Spirits blaze.
From silver Spouts the grateful Liquors° glide,	pleasing liquids
And China’s Earth receives the smoking Tyde. [3.110]
At once they gratify° their Scent and Taste,	please
While frequent Cups prolong the rich Repast.°	meal
Strait° hover round the Fair her Airy Band;	nearby
Some, as she sip’d, the fuming Liquor fann’d,
Some o’er her Lap their careful Plumes display’d,
Trembling, and conscious of the rich Brocade.°	fabric
Coffee, (which makes the Politician wise,
And see thro’ all things with his half shut Eyes)
Sent up in Vapours to the Baron’s Brain
New Stratagems,° the radiant Lock to gain. [3.120]	schemes
Ah cease rash Youth! desist e’er° ’tis too late,	before
Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla’s Fate!
Chang’d to a Bird, and sent to flit in Air,
She dearly pays for Nisus’ injur’d Hair!
But when to Mischief Mortals bend their Will,
How soon they find fit Instruments of Ill!°	evil
Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting Grace
A two-edg’d Weapon from her shining Case;
So Ladies in Romance° assist their Knight,	adventure stories
Present the Spear, and arm him for the Fight. [3.130]
He takes the Gift with rev’rence, and extends
The little Engine° on his Finger’s Ends:	device
This 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,°	spirits — hurry
A thousand Wings, by turns, blow back the Hair,
And thrice they twitch’d the Diamond in her Ear,
Thrice she look’d back, and thrice the Foe drew near.
Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought
The close Recesses of the Virgin’s Thought; [3.140]
As on the Nosegay° in her Breast reclin’d,	bunch of flowers
He watch’d th’ Ideas rising in her Mind,
Sudden he view’d, in spite of all her Art,°	effort
An Earthly Lover lurking at her Heart.
Amaz’d, confus’d, he found his Pow’r expir’d,
Resign’d to Fate, and with a Sigh retir’d.
The Peer° now spreads the glitt’ring Forfex° wide,	baron — scissors (Latin)
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;° [3.150]	foolishly — came between
Fate urg’d° the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain,	pushed
(But Airy Substance soon unites again)
The meeting Points that sacred Hair dissever
From the fair Head, for ever and for ever!
Then flash’d the living Lightnings from her Eyes,
And Screams of Horror rend° th’ affrighted Skies.	tear apart
Not louder Shrieks to pitying Heav’n are cast,
When Husbands or when Lap-dogs breath their last,
Or when rich China Vessels, fal’n from high,
In glittring Dust and painted Fragments lie! [3.160]
Let Wreaths of Triumph now my Temples twine,°	wrap around
(The Victor cry’d) the glorious Prize is mine!
While Fish in Streams, or Birds delight in Air,
Or in a Coach and Six° the British Fair,	fancy carriage drawn by six horses
As long as Atalantis shall be read,
Or the small Pillow grace a Lady’s Bed,
While Visits shall be paid on solemn Days,
When numerous Wax-lights in bright Order blaze,
While Nymphs take Treats, or Assignations° give,	meeting times
So long my Honour, Name, and Praise shall live! [3.170]
What Time wou’d spare, from Steel receives its date,°	end
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 Troy.
Steel cou’d the Works of mortal Pride confound,°	topple
And hew° Triumphal Arches to the Ground.	chop down
What Wonder then, fair Nymph! thy Hairs shou’d feel
The conqu’ring Force of unresisted Steel?
Canto IV
But anxious Cares the pensive° Nymph opprest,	thoughtful
And secret Passions labour’d in her Breast.
Not youthful Kings in Battel seiz’d alive,
Not scornful Virgins who their Charms survive,
Not ardent° Lovers robb’d of all their Bliss,	passionate
Not ancient Ladies when refus’d a Kiss,
Not Tyrants fierce that unrepenting die,
Not Cynthia when her Manteau’s° pinn’d awry,°	jacket — crooked
E’er felt such Rage, Resentment and Despair,
As Thou, sad Virgin! for thy ravish’d° Hair. [4.10]	carried off
For, that sad moment, when the Sylphs withdrew,
And Ariel weeping from Belinda flew,
Umbriel, a dusky melancholy Spright,°	dark, gloomy spirit
As ever sully’d° the fair face of Light,	dirtied
Down to the Central Earth, his proper Scene,
Repairs° to search the gloomy Cave of Spleen.	travels
Swift on his sooty° Pinions° flitts the Gnome,	black — wings
And in a Vapour reach’d the dismal Dome.°	building
No cheerful Breeze this sullen° Region knows,	gloomy
The dreaded East is all the Wind that blows. [4.20]
Here, in a Grotto, sheltred 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.	Migraine
Two Handmaids wait the Throne: Alike in Place,
But diff’ring far in Figure and in Face.
Here stood Ill-nature like an ancient Maid,
Her wrinkled Form in Black and White array’d;°	dressed
With store of Pray’rs, for Mornings, Nights, and Noons,
Her Hand is fill’d; her Bosom with Lampoons.° [4.30]	nasty poems
There Affectation with a sickly Mien°	appearance
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° Woe,	attractive
Wrapt in a Gown, for Sickness, and for Show.
The Fair ones feel such Maladies as these,
When each new Night-Dress gives a new Disease.
A constant Vapour o’er the Palace flies;
Strange Phantoms rising as the Mists arise; [4.40]
Dreadful, as Hermit’s Dreams in haunted Shades,
Or bright as Visions of expiring Maids.
Now glaring Fiends,° and Snakes on rolling Spires,	devils
Pale Spectres, gaping Tombs, and Purple Fires:
Now Lakes of liquid Gold, Elysian° Scenes,	like paradise
And Crystal Domes, and Angels in Machines.
Unnumber’d Throngs on ev’ry side are seen
Of Bodies chang’d to various Forms by Spleen.
Here living Teapots stand, one Arm held out,
One bent; the Handle this, and that the Spout: [4.50]
A Pipkin there like Homer’s Tripod walks;
Here sighs a Jar, and there a Goose Pie talks;
Men prove° with Child, as pow’rful Fancy works,	turn out to be
And Maids turn’d° Bottels, call aloud for Corks.	transformed into
Safe past the Gnome thro’ this fantastick° Band,	incredible
A Branch of healing Spleenwort in his hand.
Then thus addrest the Pow’r — Hail wayward° Queen!	disobedient, strange, stubborn
Who rule the Sex° to Fifty from Fifteen,	womankind
Parent of Vapors and of Female Wit,
Who give th’ Hysteric or Poetic Fit, [4.60]
On various Tempers act by various ways,
Make some take Physick,° others scribble Plays;	medicine
Who cause the Proud their Visits to delay,
And send the Godly in a Pett,° to pray.	temper tantrum
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 Grace,
Or raise a Pimple on a beauteous Face,
Like Citron-Waters° Matron’s Cheeks inflame,	lemon-flavored brandy
Or change Complexions at a losing Game; [4.70]
If e’er with airy Horns I planted Heads,
Or rumpled Petticoats,° or tumbled Beds,	underwear
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,	constipated
Which not the Tears of brightest Eyes could ease:
Hear me, and touch Belinda with Chagrin;°	worry
That single Act gives half the World the Spleen.
The Goddess with a discontented Air
Seems to reject him, tho’ she grants his Pray’r. [4.80]
A wondrous Bag with both her Hands she binds,
Like that where once Ulysses held the Winds;
There she collects the Force of Female Lungs,
Sighs, Sobs, and Passions, and the War of Tongues.
A Vial next she fills with fainting Fears,
Soft Sorrows, melting Griefs, and flowing Tears.
The Gnome rejoicing bears her Gift away,
Spreads his black Wings, and slowly mounts to Day.
Sunk in Thalestris’° Arms the Nymph he found,	queen of the Amazons
Her Eyes dejected and her Hair unbound. [4.90]
Full o’er their Heads the swelling Bag he rent,°	tore open
And all the Furies issued° at the Vent.	came out
Belinda burns with more than mortal Ire,
And fierce Thalestris fans the rising Fire.
O wretched Maid! she spread her hands, and cry’d,
(While Hampton’s Ecchos, wretched Maid reply’d)
Was it for this you took such constant Care
The Bodkin, Comb, and Essence to prepare;
For this your Locks in Paper-Durance bound,
For this with tort’ring Irons° wreath’d around? [4.100]	curling irons
For this with Fillets° strain’d your tender Head,	headbands
And bravely bore the double Loads of Lead?
Gods! shall the Ravisher display your Hair,
While the Fops° envy, and the Ladies stare!	fashionable men
Honour forbid! at whose unrival’d Shrine
Ease, Pleasure, Virtue, All, our Sex resign.°	give up
Methinks already I your Tears survey,
Already hear the horrid things they say,
Already see you a degraded Toast,
And all your Honour in a Whisper lost! [4.110]
How shall I, then, your helpless Fame° defend?	reputation
’Twill then be Infamy° to seem your Friend!	disagrace
And shall this Prize, th’ inestimable Prize,
Expos’d thro’ Crystal to the gazing Eyes,
And heighten’d by the Diamond’s circling Rays,
On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze?
Sooner shall Grass in Hide Park Circus grow,
And Wits take Lodgings in the Sound of Bow;
Sooner let Earth, Air, Sea, to Chaos fall,
Men, Monkies, Lap-dogs, Parrots, perish all! [4.120]
She said; then raging to Sir Plume repairs,°	goes
And bids her Beau demand the precious Hairs:
(Sir Plume, of Amber Snuff-box justly vain,
And the nice Conduct of a clouded Cane)
With earnest Eyes, and round unthinking Face,
He first 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!	by God
“Plague on’t! ’tis past a Jest — nay prithee, Pox!
“Give her the Hair — he spoke, and rapp’d his Box. [4.130]
It grieves me much (reply’d the Peer again)
Who speaks so well shou’d ever speak in vain.
But by this Lock, this sacred Lock I swear,
(Which never more shall join its parted Hair,
Which never more its Honours shall renew,
Clipt from the lovely Head where late it grew)
That while my Nostrils draw the vital Air,
This Hand, which won it, shall for ever wear.
He spoke, and speaking, in proud Triumph spread
The long-contended Honours of her Head. [4.140]
But Umbriel, hateful Gnome! forbears° not so;	resists
He breaks the Vial whence° the Sorrows flow.	from which
Then 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,
Which, with a Sigh, she rais’d; and thus she said.
For ever curs’d be this detested Day,
Which 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! [4.150]
Yet am not I the first mistaken Maid,
By Love of Courts to num’rous Ills betray’d.
Oh had I rather un-admir’d remain’d
In some lone Isle, or distant Northern Land;
Where the gilt Chariot° never marks the way,	golden carriage
Where none learn Ombre, none e’er taste Bohea!°	a kind of tea
There kept my Charms conceal’d from mortal Eye,
Like Roses that in Desarts bloom and die.
What mov’d my Mind with youthful Lords to rome?
O had I stay’d, and said my Pray’rs at home! [4.160]
’Twas this, the Morning Omens seem’d to tell;
Thrice from my trembling hand the Patch-box° fell;	collection of artificial beauty-marks
The tott’ring China shook without a Wind,
Nay, Poll sate mute, and Shock was most Unkind!
A Sylph too warn’d me of the Threats of Fate,
In mystic Visions, now believ’d too late!
See the poor Remnants° of these slighted Hairs!	remains
My hands shall rend what ev’n thy Rapine° spares:	theft
These, in two sable° Ringlets taught to break,	black
Once gave new Beauties to the snowie Neck. [4.170]
The Sister-Lock now sits uncouth,° alone,	awkward
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: the pitying Audience melt in Tears,
But Fate and Jove had stopp’d the Baron’s Ears.
In vain Thalestris with Reproach assails,°	attacks with blame
For who can move when fair Belinda fails?
Not half so fixt the Trojan cou’d remain,
While Anna begg’d and Dido rag’d in vain.
Then grave° Clarissa graceful wav’d her Fan;	serious
Silence ensu’d, and thus the Nymph began.
Say, why are Beauties prais’d and honour’d most,
The wise Man’s Passion, and the vain Man’s Toast? [5.10]
Why deck’d with all that Land and Sea afford,°	offer
Why Angels call’d, and Angel-like ador’d?
Why round our Coaches crowd the white-glov’d Beaus,
Why bows the Side-box from its inmost Rows?
How vain are all these Glories, all our Pains,
Unless good Sense preserve what Beauty gains:
That Men may say, when we the Front-box grace,
Behold the first 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; [5.20]	a disfiguring and often deadly virus
Who would not scorn what Huswife’s° Cares produce,	housewife’s
Or who would learn one earthly Thing of Use?
To patch, nay ogle,° might become a Saint,	stare
Nor could it sure be such a Sin to paint.°	wear makeup
But since, alas! frail Beauty must decay,
Curl’d or uncurl’d, since Locks will turn to grey,
Since paint’d, or not paint’d, all shall fade,
And she who scorns a Man, must die a Maid;°	virgin
What then remains, but well our Pow’r to use,
And keep good Humour still whate’er we lose? [5.30]
And trust me, Dear! good Humour can prevail,
When 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 spake the Dame, but no Applause ensu’d;°	followed
Belinda frown’d, Thalestris call’d her Prude.
To Arms, to Arms! the fierce Virago° cries,	a masculine or warlike woman
And swift as Lightning to the Combate flies.
All side in Parties, and begin th’ Attack;
Fans clap, Silks russle, and tough Whalebones crack; [5.40]
Heroes and Heroins Shouts confus’dly rise,
And base, and treble Voices strike the Skies.
No common Weapons in their Hands are found,
Like Gods they fight, nor dread° a mortal Wound.	and don’t fear
So when bold Homer makes the Gods engage,
And heav’nly Breasts with human Passions rage;
’Gainst Pallas, Mars; Latona, Hermes arms;
And all Olympus rings with loud Alarms.
Jove’s Thunder roars, Heav’n trembles all around;
Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing Deeps resound;° [5.50]	echo
Earth shakes her nodding Tow’rs, the Ground gives way;
And the pale Ghosts start at the Flash of Day!
Triumphant Umbriel on a Sconce’s Height
Clapt his glad Wings, and sate° to view the Fight,	sat
Propt on their Bodkin° Spears, the Sprights survey	hairpin
The growing Combat, or assist the Fray.
While thro’ the Press enrag’d Thalestris flies,
And scatters Deaths around from both her Eyes,
A Beau and Witling perish’d in the Throng,
One dy’d in Metaphor, and one in Song. [5.60]
O cruel Nymph! a living Death I bear,
Cry’d Dapperwit, and sunk beside his Chair.
A mournful Glance Sir Fopling upwards cast,
Those Eyes are made so killing — was his last:
Thus on Meander’s flow’ry Margin° lies	bank, riverside
Th’ expiring Swan, and as he sings he dies.
When bold Sir Plume had drawn Clarissa down,
Chloe stept in, and kill’d him with a Frown;
She smil’d to see the doughty° Hero slain,	brave
But at her Smile, the Beau reviv’d again. [5.70]
Now Jove suspends° his golden Scales in Air,	hangs
Weighs the Mens Wits against the Lady’s Hair;
The doubtful Beam° long nods from side to side;	(part of a scale)
At length the Wits mount up, the Hairs subside.°	go down
See fierce Belinda on the Baron flies,°	attacks
With more than usual Lightning in her Eyes;
Nor fear’d the Chief th’ unequal Fight to try,
Who sought no more than on his Foe to die.
But this bold Lord, with manly Strength indu’d,°	endowed
She with one Finger and a Thumb subdu’d, [5.80]
Just where the Breath of Life his Nostrils drew,
A Charge of Snuff° the wily° Virgin threw;	powdered tobacco — clever
The Gnomes direct, to ev’ry Atome just,
The pungent Grains of titillating Dust.
Sudden, with starting Tears each Eye o’erflows,
And the high Dome re-ecchoes to his Nose.
Now meet thy Fate, incens’d° Belinda cry’d,	furious
And drew a deadly Bodkin° from her Side.	hairpin
(The same, his ancient Personage to deck,°	decorate
Her great great Grandsire° wore about his Neck [5.90]	grandfather
In three Seal-Rings which after, melted down,
Form’d a vast Buckle for his Widow’s Gown:
Her infant Grandame’s° Whistle next it grew,	grandmother’s
The Bells she gingled, and the Whistle blew;
Then in a Bodkin grac’d her Mother’s Hairs,
Which long she wore, and now Belinda wears.)
Boast not my Fall (he cry’d) insulting Foe!
Thou by some other shalt be laid as low.
Nor think, to die dejects my lofty Mind;
All that I dread, is leaving you behind! [5.100]
Rather than so, ah let me still survive,
And burn in Cupid’s Flames, — but burn alive.
Restore the Lock! she cries; and all around
Restore the Lock! the vaulted Roofs rebound.°	echo
Not fierce Othello° in so loud a Strain	character in Shakespeare’s play
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!	struggle
The Lock, obtain’d with Guilt, and kept with Pain,
In ev’ry place is sought,° but sought in vain: [5.110]	looked for
With such a Prize no Mortal must be blest,
So Heav’n decrees! with Heav’n who can contest?°	compete
Some thought it mounted to the Lunar Sphere,°	the moon
Since all things lost on Earth, are treasur’d there.
There Heroe’s Wits are kept in pondrous° Vases,	heavy
And Beau’s in Snuff-boxes and Tweezer-Cases.
There broken Vows, and Death-bed Alms° are found,	charity
And Lovers Hearts with Ends of Riband° bound;	ribbon
The Courtiers Promises, and Sick Man’s Pray’rs,
The Smiles of Harlots,° and the Tears of Heirs, [5.120]	whores
Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea;
Dry’d Butterflies, and Tomes of Casuistry.°	pointless logical arguments
But trust the Muse — she saw it upward rise,
Tho’ mark’d° by none but quick Poetic Eyes:	noticed
(So Rome’s great Founder to the Heav’ns withdrew,
To Proculus alone confess’d in view)
A sudden Star, it shot thro’ liquid° Air,	clear
And drew behind a radiant Trail of Hair.
Not Berenice’s Locks first rose so bright,
The heav’ns bespangling° with dishevel’d light. [5.130]	sparkling
The Sylphs behold it kindling as it flies,
And pleas’d pursue its Progress thro’ the Skies.
This the Beau-monde° shall from the Mall survey,	high society
And hail with Musick its propitious° Ray.	promising good fortune
This, the blest Lover shall for Venus take,
And send up Vows from Rosamonda’s Lake.
This Partridge soon shall view in cloudless Skies,
When next he looks thro’ Galilæo’s Eyes;
And hence th’ Egregious Wizard shall foredoom
The Fate of Louis, and the Fall of Rome. [5.140]
Then cease, bright Nymph! to mourn the ravish’d Hair
Which adds new Glory to the shining Sphere!°	sky
Not all the Tresses° that fair Head can boast	locks of hair
Shall draw such Envy as the Lock you lost.
For, after all the Murders of your Eye,
When, after Millions slain, your self shall die;
When those fair Suns shall sett, as sett they must,
And all those Tresses shall be laid in Dust;
This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate° to Fame,	make holy
And mid’st the Stars inscribe° Belinda’s Name! [5.150]	write

The Rape of the Lock

By Alexander Pope

Edited by Jack Lynch

Canto I

Canto II

Canto III

Canto IV

Canto V

Notes