But in an age when perfection of form was admired more than originality of matter or poetic inspiration he won a wide reputation. Among his other poems are Windsor Forest, the Essay on Man (a philosophical poem), and The Dunciad, an attack on various persons for literary and personal grudges. He also translated Homer and edited Shakespeare. ALEXANDER POPE (1688-1744) THE RAPE OF THE LOCK AN HEROI-COMICAL POEM. Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos; Sed juvat, hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis.1 MARTIAL. TO MRS. ARABELLA FERMOR. MADAM, It will be in vain to deny that I have some regard for this piece, since I dedicate it to You. Yet you may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good sense and good humor enough to laugh not only at their sex's little unguarded follies, but at their own. But as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it soon found its way into the world. An imperfect copy having been offer'd to a Bookseller, you had the good-nature, for my sake, to consent to the publication of one more correct: This I was forced to, before I had executed half my design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it. The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics to signify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Demons are made to act in a Poem: for the ancient Poets are in one respect like many modern Ladies: let an action be never so trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. These I did not wish, Belinda, to harm thy locks, but I am glad to have granted this to thy prayers. (Quoted with change of name from Martial, Epigrams, XII, 84) Machines I determined to raise, on a very new and odd foundation, the Rosicrucian doctrine of Spirits. I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis so much the concern of a Poet to have his works understood, and particularly by your Sex, that you must give me leave to explain two or three difficult terms. The Rosicrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best account I know of them is in a French book, called Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in its title and size is so like a Novel that many of the fair sex have read it for one by mistake. According to these Gentlemen, the four Elements are inhabited by Spirits, which they call Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs, and Salamanders. The Gnomes or Demons of Earth delight in mischief; but the Sylphs, whose habitation is in the Air, are the best conditioned Creatures imaginable. For they say, any mortals may enjoy the most intimate familiarities with these gentle Spirits, upon a condition very easy to all true Adepts, an inviolate preservation of Chastity. As to the following Cantos, all the passages of them are as fabulous as the Vision at the beginning, or the Transformation at the end; (except the loss of your Hair, which I always mention with. reverence). The Human persons are as fictitious as the airy ones; and the character of Belinda, as it is now manag'd, resembles you in nothing but in Beauty. If this Poem had as many Graces as there are in your Person or in your Mind, yet I could never hope it should pass II below. O say what stranger cause, yet unexplor'd, Nor bound thy narrow views to things Sol thro' white curtains shot a tim❜rous ray, And oped those eyes that must eclipse the day; Some secret truths, from learned pride conceal'd, To Maids alone and Children are reveal'd. What tho' no credit doubting Wits may Now lap-dogs give themselves the rousing Know, then, unnumber'd Spirits round Thence, by a soft transition, we repair From earthly Vehicles to these of air. 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, And love of Ombre,' after death survive. For when the Fair in all their pride expire, To their first Elements their Souls retire. The Sprites of fiery Termagants in Flame Mount up, and take a Salamander's 90 And little hearts to flutter at a Beau. "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 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 A watchful sprite, and Ariel is my name. Warn'd by the Sylph, oh pious maid, beware! This to disclose 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 Yet graceful ease, and sweetness void of pride, The pow'rs gave ear, and granted half his pray'r; Might hide her faults, if Belles had faults The rest, the winds dispers'd in empty air. But now secure the painted vessel to hide; Smooth flow the waves, the Zephyrs gently play, Belinda smil'd, and all the world was gay. All but the Sylph-with careful thoughts opprest, Th' impending woe sat heavy on his breast. He summons strait his Denizens of air; The lucid squadrons round the sails repair: Soft o'er the shrouds aërial whispers breathe, That seem'd but Zephyrs to the train beneath. Some to the sun their insect-wings unfold, Waft on the breeze, or sink in clouds of gold; бо 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, Where light disports in ever-mingling dyes, While ev'ry beam new transient colors flings, Colors that change whene'er they wave their wings. Amid the circle, on the gilded mast, Superior by the head, was Ariel plac'd; His purple pinions op'ning to the sun, 71 He rais'd his azure wand, and thus begun: "Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your chief give ear! |