And party-colour'd troops, a shining train, 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, In show like leaders of the swarthy Moors. Spadillio first, unconquerable lord! Led off two captive trumps, and swept the board. 50 As many more Manillio forced to yield, And march'd a victor from the verdant field. Him Basto follow'd, but his fate more hard Proves the just victim of his royal rage. 60 Ev'n mighty Pam, that kings and queens o'erthrew, And mow'd down armies in the fights of Loo, Sad chance of war! now destitute of aid, 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. The Club's black tyrant first her victim died, Spite of his haughty mien and barb'rous pride: 70 What boots the regal circle on his head, 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 fight. 130 He takes the gift with rev'rence, and extends The little engine on his fingers' ends; 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 she look'd back, and thrice the foe drew near. 138 Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought The close recesses of the virgin's thought: As on the nosegay in her breast reclin'd, He watch'd th' ideas rising in her mind, Sudden he view'd, in spite of all her art, An earthly Lover lurking at her heart. Amazed, confused, he found his power expired, Resign'd to fate, and with a sigh retired. The Peer now spreads the glittʼring forfex wide, T' inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide. Ev'n then, before the fatal engine closed, 151 (But airy substance soon unites again). The meeting points the sacred hair dissever From the fair head, for ever, and for ever! Here in a grotto shelter'd close from air, And screen'd in shades from day's detested glare, She sighs for ever on her pensive bed, But diff'ring far in figure and in face. Her wrinkled form in black and white array'd! With store of prayers for mornings, nights, and noons, Her hand is fill'd; her bosom with lam 60 Who rule the sex to fifty from fifteen: Who cause the proud their visits to delay, A nymph there is that all your power 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, 'T will then be infamy to seem your friend! And shall this prize, th' inestimable prize, Exposed thro' crystal to the gazing eyes, And heighten'd by the diamond's circling rays, On that rapacious hand for ever blaze? Sooner let earth, air, sea, to chaos fall, all!' 120 She said; then raging to Sir Plume re pairs, And bids her beau demand the precious hairs |