self, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. These machines I determined to raise on a very new and odd foundation, the Rosicrusian doctrine of spirits. I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a lady; but it 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 Rosicrusians 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 for 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-conditioned creatures imaginable: for they say, any mortal 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 BeVolume I. L linda, as it is now managed, 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 through the world half so uncensured 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, A. POPE THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capitios; CANTO I. MART. WHAT dire offence from am'rous causes springs, Say what strange motive, Goddess! could compel A well-bred ford t' assault a gentle belle? say what stranger cause, yet unexplor'd, 5 ΤΟ Sol through white curtains shot a tim❜rous ray, Thrice rung the bell, the slipper knock'd the ground, Her guardian sylph prolong'd the balmy rest: The morning-dream that hover'd o'er her head: 20 A youth more glitt'ring than a birthnight-beau, Or virgins visited by angel pow'rs, 25 -- 30 35 With golden crowns and wreaths of heav'nly flow'rs; 40 These, though unseen, are ever on the wing, 45 And once inclos'd in woman's beauteous mould; Thence, by a soft transition, we repair From earthly vehicles to those of air. 50 Think not, when woman's transient breath is fled, Succeeding vanities she still regards, And though she plays no more, o'erlooks the cards. Her joy in gilded chariots, when alive, 55 And love of Ombre, after death survive. 70 "Know further yet; whoever fair and chaste These swell their prospects and exalt their pride, 75 80 |