MADAM, THE RAPE OF THE LOCK AN HEROI-COMICAL POEM Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos; Sed juvat, hoc precibus me tribuisse tuis. MART. [Epigr. XII. 84.] TO MRS. ARABELLA FERMOR 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 humour 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 forc'd to, before I had executed half my design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to compleat it. The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to signify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Dæmons 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 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 't is 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 call'd 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 Dæmons of Earth delight in mischief; but the Sylphs whose habitation is in the Air, are the best-condition'd 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 Canto's, 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 Mind, yet I could never hope it should pass thro' the world half so Uncensur'd as You have done. But let its fortune be what it will, mine is happy enough, to have given me this occasion of assuring you that I am, with the truest esteem, MADAM, Your most obedient, Humble Servant, your A. POPE WHAT dire offence from am'rous causes springs, Say what strange motive, Goddess! could compel -And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty Rage? Thrice rung the bell, the slipper knock'd the ground, Her guardian SYLPH prolong'd the balmy rest: Fairest of mortals, thou distinguish'd care Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air! 5 IO 15 20 25 If e'er one vision touch'd thy infant thought, Of all the Nurse and all the Priest have taught; 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 flow'rs; Nor bound thy narrow views to things below. These, tho' unseen, are ever on the wing, Hang o'er the Box, and hover round the Ring. Think not, when Woman's transient breath is fled 50 Succeeding vanities she still regards, And tho' she plays no more, o'erlooks the cards. 55 60 And sip, with Nymphs, their elemental Tea. graver Prude sinks downward to a Gnome, In search of mischief still on Earth to roam. The light Coquettes in Sylphs aloft repair, "Know further yet; whoever fair and chaste 65 70 75 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: While Peers, and Dukes, and all their sweeping train, 85 And in soft sounds, Your Grace salutes their ear. Oft, when the world imagine women stray, And old impertinence expel by new. 90 |