First, rob'd in white, the Nymph intent adores,
With head uncover'd, the Cofmetic pow'rs.
A heav'nly Image in the glass appears,
To that the bends, to that her eyes the rears;
Th' inferior Prieftefs, at her altar's fide,
Trembling, begins the facred rites of Pride.
Et nunc dilectum fpeculum, pro more retectum,
Emicat in menfa, quæ fplendet pyxide denfa:
Tum primum lympha fe purgat candida Nympha,
Jamque fine menda, coeleftis imago videnda,
Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet ocellos.
Hæc ftupet explorans, ceu cultus numen adorans.
Inferior claram Pythoniffà apparet ad aram,
Fertque tibi caute, dicatque Superbia ! laute,
Dona venufta; oris, quæ cunétis, plena laboris,
Excerpta explorat, dominamque deamque decorat.
Pyxide devota, fe pandit hic India tota,
Et tota ex ifta tranfpirat Arabia cifta;.
Teltudo hic flectit, dum fe mea Lefbia pectit;
Atque clephas lente, te pectit Lesbia dente;
Hunc maculis noris, nivei jacet ille coloris.
Hic jacet et munde, mundus muliebris abunde;
Spinula refplendens æris longo ordine pendens,
Pulvis fuavis odore, et epiftola fuavis amore.
Induit arma ergo Veneris pulcherrima virgo;
Pulchrior in præfens tempus de tempore crefcens;
Jam reparat rifus, jam furgit gratia vifus,
Jam promit cultu, mirac'la latentia vultu ;
Pigmina jam mifcet, quo plus fua Purpura glifcet,
Et geminans bellis fplendet mage fulgor ocellis.
Stant Lemures muti, Nymphæ intentique faluti,
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.
Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here
The various off'rings of the world appear;
From each she nicely culls with curious toil,
And decks the Goddess with the glitt'ring fpoil.
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 fhining 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 bufy Sylphs furround their darling care, 145
These set the head, and thofe divide the hair,
Some fold the fleeve, whilst others plait the gown;
And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own.
VER. 145. The bufy Sylphs, etc.] Antient Traditions of the Rabbi's relate, that feveral of the fallen Angels became amorous of Women, and particularize fome; among the reft Afael, who lay with Naamah, the wife of Noah, or of Ham; and who continuing impenitent, ftill prefides over the Women's Toilets. Berefhi Rabbi in Genef. vi. 2.
OT with more glories, in th' etherial plain,
The Sun firft rifes o'er the purpled main, Than, iffuing forth, the rival of his beams Launch'd on the bofom of the filver Thames, Fair Nymphs, and well-dreft Youths around her fhone,
But ev'ry eye was fix'd on her alone.
On her white breaft a fparkling Crofs fhe wore,
Which Jews might kifs, and Infidels adore.
Her lively looks a fprightly mind disclose,
Quick as her eyes, and as unfix'd as thofe :
Favours to none, to all the fmiles extends;
Oft the rejects, but never once offends.
Bright as the fun, her eyes the gazers ftrike,
And, like the fun, they fhine on all alike.
VER. 4. Launch'd on the bofom] From hence the poem continues in the firft Edition, to 46.
The reft the winds difpers'd in empty air;
all after, to the end of this Canto, being additional. P.
Yet graceful eafe, and sweetness void of pride 15 Might hide her faults, if Belles had faults to hide : If to her fhare fome female errors fall,
Look on her face and you'll forget 'em all.
This Nymph, to the deftruction of mankind, Nourish'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind In equal curls, and well confpir'd to deck With fhining ringlets the fmooth iv'ry neck. Love in these labyrinths his flaves detains, And mighty hearts are held in flender chains. With hairy fpringes we the birds betray, Slight lines of hair furprize the finny prey,
Fair treffes man's imperial race infnare,
And beauty draws us with a fingle hair.
Th' advent'rous Baron the bright locks admir'd; He faw, he wish'd, and to the prize aspir'd. 3o Refolv'd to win, he meditates the way,
By force to ravish, or by fraud betray;
VER. 25. With hairy fpringes] In allufion to Anacreon's
VER. 28. with a fingle hair] In allufion to thofe lines of Hudibras, applied to the fame purpose,
And tho' it be a two foot Trout,
'Tis with a fingle hair pull'd out.
For when fuccefs a Lover's toil attends,
Few afk, if fraud or force attain'd his ends.
For this, ere Phoebus rofe, he had implor'd 35
Propitious heav'n, and ev'ry pow'r ador'd,
But chiefly Love ---to Love an Altar built,
Of twelve vaft French Romances, neatly guilt.
There lay three garters, half a pair of gloves;
And all the trophies of his former loves;
With tender billet-doux he lights the pyre,
And breathes three am'rous fighs to raise the fire.
Then proftrate falls, and begs with ardent eyes
Soon to obtain and long poffefs the prize:
The pow'rs gave ear, and granted half his pray'r,
The reft, the winds difpers'd in empty air.
But now secure the painted veffel glides, The fun-beams trembling on the floating tides: While melting music steals upon the sky, And foften'd founds along the waters die; Smooth flow the waves, the Zephyrs gently play, Belinda fmil'd, and all the world was gay. All but the Sylph---with careful thoughts oppreft, Th'impending woe fat heavy on his breast.
VER. 45. The pow'rs gave ear,] Virg. Æn. xi. P.
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