ALEXANDER POPE (1688-1744) CONTENTS: 1. THE RAPE OF THE LOCK 2. ELOISA TO ABELARD ------------------------------------ THE RAPE OF THE LOCK Canto I WHAT dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs, What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things, I sing--This Verse to Caryll, Muse! is due; This, ev'n Belinda may vouchfafe to view: Slight is the Subject, but not so the Praise, If She inspire, and He approve my Lays. Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou'd compel A well-bred Lord t'assault a gentle Belle? Oh say what stranger Cause, yet unexplor'd, Cou'd make a gentle Belle reject a Lord? 1.10 And dwells such Rage in softest Bosoms then? And lodge such daring Souls in Little Men? Sol thro' white Curtains shot a tim'rous Ray, And op'd those Eyes that must eclipse the Day; Now Lapdogs give themselves the rowzing Shake, And sleepless Lovers, just at Twelve, awake: Thrice rung the Bell, the Slipper knock'd the Ground, And the press'd Watch return'd a silver Sound. Belinda still her downy Pillow prest, Her Guardian Sylph prolong'd the balmy Rest. 1.20 'Twas he had summon'd to her silent Bed The Morning-Dream that hover'd o'er her Head. A Youth more glitt'ring than a Birth-night Beau, (That ev'n in Slumber caus'd her Cheek to glow) Seem'd to her Ear his winning Lips to lay, And thus in Whispers said, or seem'd to say. Fairest of Mortals, thou distinguish'd Care Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air! If e'er one Vision touch'd thy infant Thought, Of all the Nurse and all the Priest have taught, 1.30 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 Flowers, Hear and believe! thy own Importance know, Nor bound thy narrow Views to Things below. Some secret Truths from Learned Pride conceal'd, To Maids alone and Children are reveal'd: What tho' no Credit doubting Wits may give? The Fair and Innocent shall still believe. 1.40 Know then, unnumbered Spirits round thee fly, The light Militia of the lower Sky; These, tho' unseen, are ever on the Wing, Hang o'er the Box, and hover round the Ring. Think what an Equipage thou hast in Air, And view with scorn Two Pages and a Chair. As now your own, our Beings were of old, And once inclos'd in Woman's beauteous Mold; Thence, by a soft Transition, we repair From earthly Vehicles to these of Air. 1.50 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 the Souls retire: The Sprights of fiery Termagants in Flame Mount up, and take a Salamander's Name. 1.60 Soft yielding Minds to Water glide away, And sip with Nymphs, their Elemental Tea. The graver Prude sinks downward to a Gnome, In search of Mischief still on Earth to roam. The light Coquettes in Sylphs aloft repair, And sport and flutter in the Fields of Air. Know farther yet; Whoever fair and chaste Rejects Mankind, is by some Sylph embrac'd: For Spirits, freed from mortal Laws, with ease Assume what Sexes and what Shapes they please. 1.70 What guards the Purity of melting Maids, In Courtly Balls, and Midnight Masquerades, Safe from the treach'rous Friend, and daring Spark, The Glance by Day, the Whisper in the Dark; When kind Occasion prompts their warm Desires, When Musick softens, and when Dancing fires? 'Tis but their Sylph, the wise Celestials know, Tho' Honour is the Word with Men below. Some Nymphs there are, too conscious of their Face, For Life predestin'd to the Gnomes' Embrace. 1.80 These swell their Prospects and exalt their Pride, When Offers are disdain'd, and Love deny'd. Then gay Ideas crowd the vacant Brain; While Peers and Dukes, and all their sweeping Train, And Garters, Stars, and Coronets appear, And in soft Sounds, Your Grace salutes their Ear. 'Tis these that early taint the Female Soul, Instruct the Eyes of young Coquettes to roll, Teach Infants Cheeks a bidden Blush to know, And little Hearts to flutter at a Beau. 1.90 Oft when the World imagine Women stray, The Sylphs thro' mystick 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 Heart; 1.100 Where Wigs with Wigs, with Sword-knots Sword-knots strive, Beaus banish Beaus, and Coaches Coaches drive. This erring Mortals Levity may call, Oh blind to Truth! the Sylphs contrive it all. Of these am I, who thy Protection claim, A watchful Sprite, and Ariel is my Name. Late, as I rang'd the Crystal Wilds of Air, In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star I saw, alas! some dread Event impend, E're to the Main this Morning Sun descend. 1.110 But Heav'n reveals not what, or how, or where: Warn'd by thy 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, Leapt up, and wak'd his Mistress with his Tongue. 'Twas then Belinda! if Report say true, Thy Eyes first open'd on a Billet-doux; Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no sooner read, But all the Vision vanish'd from thy Head. 1.120 And now, unveil'd, the Toilet stands display'd, Each Silver Vase in mystic Order laid. First, rob'd in White, the Nymph intent adores With Head uncover'd, the cosmetic Pow'rs. A heav'nly Image in the Glass appears, To that she bends, to that her Eyes she rears; Th' inferior Priestess, at her Altar's side, Trembling, begins the sacred Rites of Pride. Unnumber'd Treasures ope at once, and here The various Off'rings of the World appear; 1.130 From each she nicely culls with curious Toil, And decks the Goddess with the glitt'ring Spoil. 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 shining Rows, Puffs, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux. Now awful Beauty puts on all its Arms; The Fair each moment rises in her Charms, 1.140 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 busy Sylphs surround their darling Care; These set the Head, and those divide the Hair, Some fold the Sleeve, while others plait the Gown; And Betty's prais'd for Labours not her own. Canto II NOT with more Glories, in th' Etherial Plain, The Sun first rises o'er the purpled Main, Than issuing forth, the Rival of his Beams Lanch'd on the Bosom of the Silver Thames. Fair Nymphs, and well-drest Youths around her shone, But ev'ry Eye was fix'd on her alone. On her white Breast a sparkling Cross she wore, Which Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore. Her lively Looks a sprightly Mind disclose, Quick as her Eyes, and as unfix'd as those: 2.10 Favours to none, to all she Smiles extends, Oft she rejects, but never once offends. Bright as the Sun, her Eyes the Gazers strike, And, like the sun, they shine on all alike. Yet graceful Ease, and Sweetness void of Pride, Might hide her Faults, if Belles had faults to hide: If to her share some Female Errors fall, Look on her Face, and you'll forget 'em all. This Nymph, to the Destruction of Mankind, Nourish'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind 2.20 In equal Curls, and well conspir'd to deck With shining Ringlets her smooth Iv'ry Neck. Love in these Labyrinths his Slaves detains, And mighty Hearts are held in slender Chains. With hairy Sprindges we the Birds betray, Slight Lines of Hair surprize the Finny Prey, Fair Tresses Man's Imperial Race insnare, And Beauty draws us with a single Hair. Th' Adventrous Baron the bright Locks admir'd, He saw, he wish'd, and to the Prize aspir'd: 2.30 Resolv'd to win, he meditates the way, By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray; For when Success a Lover's Toil attends, Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain'd his Ends. For this, e're Phoebus rose, he had implor'd Propitious Heav'n, and ev'ry Pow'r ador'd, But chiefly Love---to Love an Altar built, Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt. There lay three Garters, half a Pair of Gloves; And all the Trophies of his former Loves. 2.40 With tender Billet-doux he lights the Pyre, And breathes three am'rous Sighs to raise the Fire. Then prostrate falls, and begs with ardent Eyes Soon to obtain, and long possess the Prize: The Pow'rs gave Ear, and granted half his Pray'r, The rest, the Winds dispers'd in empty Air. But now secure the painted Vessel glides, The Sun-beams trembling on the floating Tydes, While melting Musick steals upon the Sky, And soften'd Sounds along the Waters die. 2.50 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 sate heavy on his Breast. He summons strait his Denizens of Air; The lucid Squadrons round the Sails repair: Soft o'er the Shrouds Aerial 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. 2.60 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 Dies, While ev'ry Beam new transient Colours flings, Colours that change whene'er they wave their Wings. Amid the Circle, on the gilded Mast, Superior by the Head, was Ariel plac'd; 2.70 His Purple Pinions opening to the Sun, He rais'd his Azure Wand, and thus begun. Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your Chief give Ear, Fays, Fairies, Genii, Elves, and Daemons hear! Ye know the Spheres and various Tasks assign'd, By Laws Eternal, to th' Aerial Kind. Some in the Fields of purest AEther play, And bask and whiten in the Blaze of Day. Some guide the Course of wandring Orbs on high, Or roll the Planets thro' the boundless Sky. 2.80 Some less refin'd, beneath the Moon's pale Light Hover, and catch the shooting stars by Night; Or suck the Mists in grosser Air below, Or dip their Pinions in the painted Bow, Or brew fierce Tempests on the wintry Main, Or o'er the Glebe distill the kindly Rain. Others on Earth o'er human Race preside, Watch all their Ways, and all their Actions guide: Of these the Chief the Care of Nations own, And guard with Arms Divine the British Throne. 2.90 Our humbler Province is to tend the Fair, Not a less pleasing, tho' less glorious Care. To save the Powder from too rude a Gale, Nor let th' imprison'd Essences exhale, To draw fresh Colours from the vernal Flow'rs, To steal from Rainbows ere they drop in Show'rs A brighter Wash; to curl their waving Hairs, Assist their Blushes, and inspire their Airs; Nay oft, in Dreams, Invention we bestow, To change a Flounce, or add a Furbelo. 2.100 This Day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair That e'er deserv'd a watchful Spirit's Care; Some dire Disaster, or by Force, or Slight, But what, or where, the Fates have wrapt in Night. Whether the Nymph shall break Diana's Law, Or some frail China Jar receive a Flaw, Or stain her Honour, or her new Brocade, Forget her Pray'rs, or miss a Masquerade, Or lose her Heart, or Necklace, at a Ball; Or whether Heav'n has doom'd that Shock must fall. 2.110 Haste then ye Spirits! to your Charge repair; The flutt'ring Fan be Zephyretta's Care; The Drops to thee, Brillante, we consign; And Momentilla, let the Watch be thine; Do thou, Crispissa, tend her fav'rite Lock; Ariel himself shall be the Guard of Shock. To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special Note, We trust th' important Charge, the Petticoat: Oft have we known that sev'nfold Fence to fail; Tho' stiff with Hoops, and arm'd with Ribs of Whale. 2.120 Form a strong Line about the Silver Bound, And guard the wide Circumference around. Whatever spirit, careless of his Charge, His Post neglects, or leaves the Fair at large, Shall feel sharp Vengeance soon o'ertake his Sins, Be stopt in Vials, or transfixt with Pins; Or plung'd in Lakes of bitter Washes lie, Or wedg'd whole Ages in a Bodkin's Eye: Gums and Pomatums shall his Flight restrain, While clog'd he beats his silken Wings in vain; 2.130 Or Alom-Stypticks with contracting Power Shrink his thin Essence like a rivell'd Flower. Or as Ixion fix'd, the Wretch shall feel The giddy Motion of the whirling Mill, In Fumes of burning Chocolate shall glow, And tremble at the Sea that froaths below! He spoke; the Spirits from the Sails descend; Some, Orb in Orb, around the Nymph extend, Some thrid the mazy Ringlets of her Hair, Some hang upon the Pendants of her Ear; 2.140 With beating Hearts the dire Event they wait, Anxious, and trembling for the Birth of Fate. Canto III CLOSE by those Meads for ever crown'd with Flow'rs, Where Thames with Pride surveys his rising Tow'rs, There stands a Structure of Majestick Frame, Which from the neighb'ring Hampton takes its Name. Here Britain's Statesmen oft the Fall foredoom Of Foreign Tyrants, and of Nymphs at home; Here Thou, great Anna!* whom three Realms obey, Dost sometimes Counsel take--and sometimes Tea. Hither the Heroes and the Nymphs resort, To taste awhile the Pleasures of a Court; 3.10 In various Talk th' instructive hours they past, Who gave the Ball, or paid the Visit last: One speaks the Glory of the British Queen, And one describes a charming Indian Screen; A third interprets Motions, Looks, and Eyes; At ev'ry Word a Reputation dies. Snuff, or the Fan, supply each Pause of Chat, With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that. Mean while declining from the Noon of Day, The Sun obliquely shoots his burning Ray; 3.20 The hungry Judges soon the Sentence sign, And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine; The Merchant from th'Exchange returns in Peace, And the long Labours of the Toilette cease---- Belinda now, whom Thirst of Fame invites, Burns to encounter two adventrous Knights, At Ombre singly to decide their Doom; And swells her Breast with Conquests yet to come. Strait the three Bands prepare in Arms to join, Each Band the number of the Sacred Nine. 3.30 Soon as she spreads her Hand, th' Aerial Guard Descend, and sit on each important Card, First Ariel perch'd upon a Matadore, Then each, according to the Rank they bore; For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient Race, Are, as when Women, wondrous fond of place. Behold, four Kings in Majesty rever'd, With hoary Whiskers and a forky Beard; And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a Flow'r, Th' expressive Emblem of their softer Pow'r; 3.40 Four Knaves in Garbs succinct, a trusty Band, Caps on their heads, and Halberds in their hand; And Particolour'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. 3.50 As many more Manillio forc'd to yield, And march'd a Victor from the verdant Field. Him Basto follow'd, but his Fate more hard Gain'd but one Trump and one Plebeian Card. With his broad Sabre next, a Chief in Years, The hoary Majesty of Spades appears; Puts forth one manly Leg, to sight reveal'd; The rest his many-colour'd Robe conceal'd. The Rebel-Knave, who dares his Prince engage, Proves the just Victim of his Royal Rage. 3.60 Ev'n mighty Pam that Kings and Queens o'erthrow, And mow'd down Armies in the Fights of Lu, 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 dy'd, Spite of his haughty Mien, and barb'rous Pride: 3.70 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 apace; Th' embroider'd King who shows but half his Face, And his refulgent Queen, with Pow'rs combin'd, Of broken Troops an easie Conquest find. Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild Disorder seen, With Throngs promiscuous strow the level Green. 3.80 Thus when dispers'd a routed Army runs, Of Asia's Troops, and Africk's Sable Sons, With like Confusion different Nations fly, In various habits and of various Dye, The pierc'd Battalions dis-united fall, In Heaps on Heaps; one Fate o'erwhelms them all. The Knave of Diamonds now tries his wily Arts, And wins (oh shameful Chance!) the Queen of Hearts. At this, the Blood the Virgin's Cheek forsook, A livid Paleness spreads o'er all her Look; 3.90 She sees, and trembles at th' approaching Ill, Just in the Jaws of Ruin, and Codille*. And now, (as oft in some distemper'd State) On one nice Trick depends the gen'ral Fate. An Ace of Hearts steps forth: The King unseen Lurk'd in her Hand, and mourn'd his captive Queen. He springs to Vengeance with an eager pace, And falls like Thunder on the prostrate Ace. The Nymph exulting fills with Shouts the Sky, The Walls, the Woods, and long Canals reply. 3.100 Oh thoughtless Mortals! ever blind to Fate, Too soon dejected, and too soon elate! Sudden these Honours shall be snatch'd away, And curs'd for ever this Victorious Day. For lo! the Board with Cups and Spoons is crown'd, The Berries crackle, and the Mill turns round. On shining Altars of Japan they raise The silver Lamp; the fiery Spirits blaze. From silver Spouts the grateful Liquors glide, And China's Earth receives the smoking Tyde. 3.110 At once they gratify their Scent and Taste, While frequent Cups prolong the rich Repast. Strait hover round the Fair her Airy Band; Some, as she sip'd, the fuming Liquor fann'd, Some o'er her Lap their careful Plumes display'd, Trembling, and conscious of the rich Brocade. Coffee, (which makes the Politician wise, And see thro' all things with his half shut Eyes) Sent up in Vapours to the Baron's Brain New Stratagems, the radiant Lock to gain. 3.120 Ah cease rash Youth! desist e'er 'tis too late, Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla's Fate! Chang'd to a Bird, and sent to flit in Air, She dearly pays for Nisus' injur'd Hair!* But when to Mischief Mortals bend their Will, How soon they find fit Instruments of Ill! Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting Grace A two-edg'd Weapon from her shining Case; So Ladies in Romance assist their Knight, Present the Spear, and arm him for the Fight. 3.130 He takes the Gift with rev'rence, and extends The little Engine on his Finger's Ends: This just behind Belinda's Neck he spread, As o'er the fragrant Steams she bends her Head: Swift to the Lock a thousand Sprights 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. Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought The close Recesses of the Virgin's Thought; 3.140 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. Amaz'd, confus'd, he found his Pow'r expir'd, Resign'd to Fate, and with a Sigh retir'd. The Peer now spreads the glitt'ring Forfex wide, T'inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide. Ev'n then, before the fatal Engine clos'd, A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos'd; 3.150 Fate urg'd the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain, (But Airy Substance soon unites again) The meeting Points that sacred Hair dissever From the fair Head, for ever and for ever! Then flash'd the living Lightnings from her Eyes, And Screams of Horror rend th' affrighted Skies. Not louder Shrieks to pitying Heav'n are cast, When Husbands or when Lap-dogs breath their last, Or when rich China Vessels, fal'n from high, In glittring Dust and painted Fragments lie! 3.160 Let Wreaths of Triumph now my Temples twine, (The Victor cry'd) the glorious Prize is mine! While Fish in Streams, or Birds delight in Air, Or in a Coach and Six the British Fair, As long as Atalantis* shall be read, Or the small Pillow grace a Lady's Bed, While Visits shall be paid on solemn Days, When numerous Wax-lights in bright Order blaze, While Nymphs take Treats, or Assignations give, So long my Honour, Name, and Praise shall live! 3.170 What Time wou'd spare, from Steel receives its date, And Monuments, like Men, submit to Fate! Steel cou'd the Labour of the Gods destroy, And strike to Dust th' Imperial Tow'rs of Troy; Steel cou'd the Works of mortal Pride confound, And hew Triumphal Arches to the Ground. What Wonder then, fair Nymph! thy Hairs shou'd feel The conqu'ring Force of unresisted Steel? 7. Queen of England, 1702-14 92. the loss of a card game 122-4 When Scylla cut off her father's hair, he lost both his kingdom and his life 165. A scandalous novel by Delarivier Manley (1709) Canto IV BUT anxious Cares the pensive Nymph opprest, And secret Passions labour'd in her Breast. Not youthful Kings in Battel seiz'd alive, Not scornful Virgins who their Charms survive, Not ardent Lovers robb'd of all their Bliss, Not ancient Ladies when refus'd a Kiss, Not Tyrants fierce that unrepenting die, Not Cynthia when her Manteau's pinn'd awry, E'er felt such Rage, Resentment and Despair, As Thou, sad Virgin! for thy ravish'd Hair. 4.10 For, that sad moment, when the Sylphs withdrew, And Ariel weeping from Belinda flew, Umbriel, a dusky melancholy Spright, As ever sully'd the fair face of Light, Down to the Central Earth, his proper Scene, Repairs to search the gloomy Cave of Spleen. Swift on his sooty Pinions flitts the Gnome, And in a Vapour reach'd the dismal Dome. No cheerful Breeze this sullen Region knows, The dreaded East is all the Wind that blows. 4.20 Here, in a Grotto, sheltred close from Air, And screen'd in Shades from Day's detested Glare, She sighs for ever on her pensive Bed, Pain at her side, and Megrim* at her Head. Two Handmaids wait the Throne: Alike in Place, But diff'ring far in Figure and in Face. Here stood Ill-nature like an ancient Maid, Her wrinkled Form in Black and White array'd; With store of Pray'rs, for Mornings, Nights, and Noons, Her Hand is fill'd; her Bosom with Lampoons. 4.30 There Affectation with a sickly Mien Shows in her Cheek the Roses of Eighteen, Practis'd to Lisp, and hang the Head aside, Faints into Airs, and languishes with Pride; On the rich Quilt sinks with becoming Woe, Wrapt in a Gown, for Sickness, and for Show. The Fair ones feel such Maladies as these, When each new Night-Dress gives a new Disease. A constant Vapour o'er the Palace flies; Strange Phantoms rising as the Mists arise; 4.40 Dreadful, as Hermit's Dreams in haunted Shades, Or bright as Visions of expiring Maids. Now glaring Fiends, and Snakes on rolling Spires, Pale Spectres, gaping Tombs, and Purple Fires: Now Lakes of liquid Gold, Elysian Scenes, And Crystal Domes, and Angels in Machines. Unnumber'd Throngs on ev'ry side are seen Of Bodies chang'd to various Forms by Spleen. Here living Teapots stand, one Arm held out, One bent; the Handle this, and that the Spout: 4.50 A Pipkin there like Homer's Tripod walks; Here sighs a Jar, and there a Goose Pie talks; Men prove with Child, as pow'rful Fancy works, And Maids turn'd Bottels, call aloud for Corks. Safe past the Gnome thro' this fantastick Band, A Branch of healing Spleenwort in his hand. Then thus addrest the Pow'r--Hail wayward Queen! Who rule the Sex to Fifty from Fifteen, Parent of Vapors and of Female Wit, Who give th' Hysteric or Poetic Fit, 4.60 On various Tempers act by various ways, Make some take Physick, others scribble Plays; Who cause the Proud their Visits to delay, And send the Godly in a Pett, to pray. A Nymph there is, that all thy Pow'r 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, Like Citron-Waters Matron's Cheeks inflame, Or change Complexions at a losing Game; 4.70 If e'er with airy Horns I planted Heads, Or rumpled Petticoats, or tumbled Beds, Or caus'd Suspicion when no Soul was rude, Or discompos'd the Head-dress of a Prude, Or e'er to costive Lap-Dog gave Disease, Which not the Tears of brightest Eyes could ease: Hear me, and touch Belinda with Chagrin; That single Act gives half the World the Spleen. The Goddess with a discontented Air Seems to reject him, tho' she grants his Pray'r. 4.80 A wondrous Bag with both her Hands she binds, Like that where once Ulysses held the Winds; There she collects the Force of Female Lungs, Sighs, Sobs, and Passions, and the War of Tongues. A Vial next she fills with fainting Fears, Soft Sorrows, melting Griefs, and flowing Tears. The Gnome rejoicing bears her Gift away, Spreads his black Wings, and slowly mounts to Day. Sunk in Thalestris' Arms the Nymph he found, Her Eyes dejected and her Hair unbound. 4.90 Full o'er their Heads the swelling Bag he rent, And all the Furies issued at the Vent. Belinda burns with more than mortal Ire, And fierce Thalestris fans the rising Fire. O wretched Maid! she spread her hands, and cry'd, (While Hampton's Ecchos, wretched Maid reply'd) Was it for this you took such constant Care The Bodkin, Comb, and Essence to prepare; For this your Locks in Paper-Durance bound, For this with tort'ring Irons wreath'd around? 4.100 For this with Fillets strain'd your tender Head, And bravely bore the double Loads of Lead? Gods! shall the Ravisher display your Hair, While the Fops envy, and the Ladies stare! Honour forbid! at whose unrival'd Shrine Ease, Pleasure, Virtue, All, our Sex resign. Methinks already I your Tears survey, Already hear the horrid things they say, Already see you a degraded Toast, And all your Honour in a Whisper lost! 4.110 How shall I, then, your helpless Fame defend? 'Twill then be Infamy to seem your Friend! And shall this Prize, th' inestimable Prize, Expos'd thro' Crystal to the gazing Eyes, And heighten'd by the Diamond's circling Rays, On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze? Sooner shall Grass in Hide-Park Circus* grow, And Wits take Lodgings in the Sound of Bow*; Sooner let Earth, Air, Sea, to Chaos fall, Men, Monkies, Lap-dogs, Parrots, perish all! 4.120 She said; then raging to Sir Plume repairs, And bids her Beau demand the precious Hairs: (Sir Plume, of Amber Snuff-box justly vain, And the nice Conduct of a clouded Cane) With earnest Eyes, and round unthinking Face, He first the Snuff-box open'd, then the Case, And thus broke out---"My Lord, why, what the Devil? "Zounds! damn the Lock! 'fore Gad, you must be civil! "Plague on't! 'tis past a Jest---nay prithee, Pox! "Give her the Hair---he spoke, and rapp'd his Box. 4.130 It grieves me much (reply'd the Peer again) Who speaks so well shou'd ever speak in vain. But by this Lock, this sacred Lock I swear, (Which never more shall join its parted Hair, Which never more its Honours shall renew, Clipt from the lovely Head where late it grew) That while my Nostrils draw the vital Air, This Hand, which won it, shall for ever wear. He spoke, and speaking, in proud Triumph spread The long-contended Honours of her Head. 4.140 But Umbriel, hateful Gnome! forbears not so; He breaks the Vial whence the Sorrows flow. Then see! the Nymph in beauteous Grief appears, Her Eyes half languishing, half drown'd in Tears; On her heav'd Bosom hung her drooping Head, Which, with a Sigh, she rais'd; and thus she said. For ever curs'd be this detested Day, Which snatch'd my best, my fav'rite Curl away! Happy! ah ten times happy, had I been, If Hampton-Court these Eyes had never seen! 4.150 Yet am not I the first mistaken Maid, By Love of Courts to num'rous Ills betray'd. Oh had I rather un-admir'd remain'd In some lone Isle, or distant Northern Land; Where the gilt Chariot never marks the way, Where none learn Ombre, none e'er taste Bohea*! There kept my Charms conceal'd from mortal Eye, Like Roses that in Desarts bloom and die. What mov'd my Mind with youthful Lords to rome? O had I stay'd, and said my Pray'rs at home! 4.160 'Twas this, the Morning Omens seem'd to tell; Thrice from my trembling hand the Patch-box fell; The tott'ring China shook without a Wind, Nay, Poll sate mute, and Shock was most Unkind! A Sylph too warn'd me of the Threats of Fate, In mystic Visions, now believ'd too late! See the poor Remnants of these slighted Hairs! My hands shall rend what ev'n thy Rapine spares: These, in two sable Ringlets taught to break, Once gave new Beauties to the snowie Neck. 4.170 The Sister-Lock now sits uncouth, alone, And in its Fellow's Fate foresees its own; Uncurl'd it hangs, the fatal Sheers demands; And tempts once more thy sacrilegious Hands. Oh hadst thou, Cruel! been content to seize Hairs less in sight, or any Hairs but these! Notes 24 Migraine 117. where the fashionable drove their carriages 118. Bow Church in Cheapside, the mercantile section of London 156. A kind of tea Canto V She said: the pitying Audience melt in Tears, But Fate and Jove had stopp'd the Baron's Ears. In vain Thalestris with Reproach assails, For who can move when fair Belinda fails? Not half to fixt the Trojan* cou'd remain, While Anna begg'd and Dido rag'd in vain. Then grave Clarissa graceful wav'd her Fan; Silence ensu'd, and thus the Nymph began. Say, why are Beauties prais'd and honour'd most, The wise Man's Passion, and the vain Man's Toast? 5.10 Why deck'd with all that Land and Sea afford, Why Angels call'd, and Angel-like ador'd? Why round our Coaches crowd the white-glov'd Beaus, Why bows the Side-box from its inmost Rows? How vain are all these Glories, all our Pains, Unless good Sense preserve what Beauty gains: That Men may say, when we the Front-box grace, Behold the first in Virtue, as in Face! Oh! if to dance all Night, and dress all Day, Charm'd the Small-pox, or chas'd old Age away; 5.20 Who would not scorn what Huswife's Cares produce, Or who would learn one earthly Thing of Use? To patch, nay ogle, might become a Saint, Nor could it sure be such a Sin to paint. But since, alas! frail Beauty must decay, Curl'd or uncurl'd, since Locks will turn to grey, Since paint'd, or not paint'd, all shall fade, And she who scorns a Man, must die a Maid; What then remains, but well our Pow'r to use, And keep good Humour still whate'er we lose? 5.30 And trust me, Dear! good Humour can prevail, When Airs, and Flights, and Screams, and Scolding fail. Beauties in vain their pretty Eyes may roll; Charms strike the Sight, but Merit wins the Soul. So spake the Dame, but no Applause ensu'd; Belinda frown'd, Thalestris call'd her Prude. To Arms, to Arms! the fierce Virago cries, And swift as Lightning to the Combate flies. All side in Parties, and begin th' Attack; Fans clap, Silks russle, and tough Whalebones crack; 5.40 Heroes and Heroins Shouts confus'dly rise, And base, and treble Voices strike the Skies. No common Weapons in their Hands are found, Like Gods they fight, nor dread a mortal Wound. So when bold Homer makes the Gods engage, And heav'nly Breasts with human Passions rage; 'Gainst Pallas, Mars; Latona, Hermes arms; And all Olympus rings with loud Alarms. Jove's Thunder roars, Heav'n trembles all around; Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing Deeps resound; 5.50 Earth shakes her nodding Tow'rs, the Ground gives way; And the pale Ghosts start at the Flash of Day! Triumphant Umbriel on a Sconce's Height Clapt his glad Wings, and sate to view the Fight, Propt on their Bodkin Spears, the Sprights survey The growing Combat, or assist the Fray. While thro' the Press enrag'd Thalestries flies, And scatters Deaths around from both her Eyes, A Beau and Witling perish'd in the Throng, One dy'd in Metaphor, and one in Song. 5.60 O cruel Nymph! a living Death I bear, Cry'd Dapperwit, and sunk beside his Chair. A mournful Glance Sir Fopling upwards cast, Those Eyes are made so killing---was his last: Thus on Meander's flow'ry Margin lies Th' expiring Swan, and as he sings he dies. When bold Sir Plume had drawn Clarissa down, Chloe stept in, and kill'd him with a Frown; She smil'd to see the doughty Hero slain, But at her Smile, the Beau reviv'd again. 5.70 Now Jove suspends his golden Scales in Air, Weighs the Mens Wits against the Lady's Hair; The doubtful Beam long nods from side to side; At length the Wits mount up, the Hairs subside. See fierce Belinda on the Baron flies, With more than usual Lightning in her Eyes; Nor fear'd the Chief th' unequal Fight to try, Who sought no more than on his Foe to die. But this bold Lord, with manly Strength indu'd, She with one Finger and a Thumb subdu'd, 5.80 Just where the Breath of Life his Nostrils drew, A Charge of Snuff the wily Virgin threw; The Gnomes direct, to ev'ry Atome just, The pungent Grains of titillating Dust. Sudden, with starting Tears each Eye o'erflows, And the high Dome re-ecchoes to his Nose. Now meet thy Fate, incens'd Belinda cry'd, And drew a deadly Bodkin from her Side. (The same, his ancient Personage to deck, Her great great Grandsire wore about his Neck 5.90 In three Seal-Rings; which after, melted down, Form'd a vast Buckle for his Widow's Gown: Her infant Grandame's Whistle next it grew, The Bells she gingled, and the Whistle blew; Then in a Bodkin grac'd her Mother's Hairs, Which long she wore, and now Belinda wears.) Boast not my Fall (he cry'd) insulting Foe! Thou by some other shalt be laid as low. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty Mind; All that I dread, is leaving you behind! 5.100 Rather than so, ah let me still survive, And burn in Cupid's Flames,---but burn alive. Restore the Lock! she cries; and all around Restore the Lock! the vaulted Roofs rebound. Not fierce Othello in so loud a Strain Roar'd for the Handkerchief that caus'd his Pain. But see how oft Ambitious Aims are cross'd, And Chiefs contend 'till all the Prize is lost! The Lock, obtain'd with Guilt, and kept with Pain, In ev'ry place is sought, but sought in vain: 5.110 With such a Prize no Mortal must be blest, So Heav'n decrees! with Heav'n who can contest? Some thought it mounted to the Lunar Sphere, Since all things lost on Earth, are treasur'd there. There Heroe's Wits are kept in pondrous Vases, And Beau's in Snuff-boxes and Tweezer-Cases. There broken Vows, and Death-bed Alms are found, And Lovers Hearts with Ends of Riband bound; The Courtiers Promises, and Sick Man's Pray'rs, The Smiles of Harlots, and the Tears of Heirs, 5.120 Cages for Gnats, and Chains to Yoak a Flea; Dry'd Butterflies, and Tomes of Casuistry. But trust the Muse---she saw it upward rise, Tho' mark'd by none but quick Poetic Eyes: (So Rome's great Founder* to the Heav'ns withdrew, To Proculus alone confess'd in view.) A sudden Star, it shot thro' liquid Air, And drew behind a radiant Trail of Hair. Not Berenice's Locks* first rose so bright, The heav'ns bespangling with dishevel'd light. 5.130 The Sylphs behold it kindling as it flies, And pleas'd pursue its Progress thro' the Skies. This the Beau-monde shall from the Mall* survey, And hail with Musick its propitious Ray. This, the blest Lover shall for Venus take, And send up Vows from Rosamonda's Lake*. This Partridge* soon shall view in cloudless Skies, When next he looks thro' Galilaeo's Eyes; And hence th' Egregious Wizard shall foredoom The Fate of Louis, and the Fall of Rome. 5.140 Then cease, bright Nymph! to mourn the ravish'd Hair Which adds new Glory to the shining Sphere! Not all the Tresses that fair Head can boast Shall draw such Envy as the Lock you lost. For, after all the Murders of your Eye, When, after Millions slain, your self shall die; When those fair Suns shall sett, as sett they must, And all those Tresses shall be laid in Dust; This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to Fame, And mid'st the Stars inscribe Belinda's Name! 5.150 Notes 5. Aeneas. 125. Romulus, according to the report of Livy . 129. A lock of Berenice's hair was transformed into a constellation. 133. Pall Mall. 134. a pond in St. James's Park, London. 137. a popular astrologer. (1712-1714) ----------------------------------- ELOISA TO ABELARD First written, 1716. First published in Works (1717) Argument: Abelard and Eloisa flourish'd in the twelfth Century; they were two of the most distinguish'd persons of their age in learning and beauty, but for nothing more famous than for their unfortunate passion. After a long course of Calamities, they retired each to a several Convent, and consecrated the remainder of their days to religion. It was many years after this separation, that a letter of Abelard's to a Friend which contain'd the history of his misfortune, fell into the hands of Eloisa. This awakening all her tenderness, occasion'd those celebrated letters (out of which the following is partly extracted) which give so lively a picture of the struggles of grace and nature, virtue and passion. In these deep solitudes and awful cells, Where heav'nly-pensive contemplation dwells, And ever-musing melancholy reigns; What means this tumult in a vestal's veins? Why rove my thoughts beyond this last retreat? Why feels my heart its long-forgotten heat? Yet, yet I love!--From Abelard it came, And Eloisa yet must kiss the name. Dear fatal name! rest ever unreveal'd, Nor pass these lips in holy silence seal'd. 10 Hide it, my heart, within that close disguise, Where mix'd with God's, his lov'd idea lies: O write it not, my hand--the name appears Already written--wash it out, my tears! In vain lost Eloisa weeps and prays, Her heart still dictates, and her hand obeys. Relentless walls! whose darksome round contains Repentant sighs, and voluntary pains: Ye rugged rocks! which holy knees have worn; Ye grots and caverns shagg'd with horrid thorn! 20 Shrines! where their vigils pale-ey'd virgins keep, And pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep! Though cold like you, unmov'd, and silent grown, I have not yet forgot myself to stone. All is not Heav'n's while Abelard has part, Still rebel nature holds out half my heart; Nor pray'rs nor fasts its stubborn pulse restrain, Nor tears, for ages, taught to flow in vain. Soon as thy letters trembling I unclose, That well-known name awakens all my woes. 30 Oh name for ever sad! for ever dear! Still breath'd in sighs, still usher'd with a tear. I tremble too, where'er my own I find, Some dire misfortune follows close behind. Line after line my gushing eyes o'erflow, Led through a sad variety of woe: Now warm in love, now with'ring in thy bloom, Lost in a convent's solitary gloom! There stern religion quench'd th' unwilling flame, There died the best of passions, love and fame. 40 Yet write, oh write me all, that I may join Griefs to thy griefs, and echo sighs to thine. Nor foes nor fortune take this pow'r away; And is my Abelard less kind than they? Tears still are mine, and those I need not spare, Love but demands what else were shed in pray'r; No happier task these faded eyes pursue; To read and weep is all they now can do. Then share thy pain, allow that sad relief; Ah, more than share it! give me all thy grief. 50 Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid, Some banish'd lover, or some captive maid; They live, they speak, they breathe what love inspires, Warm from the soul, and faithful to its fires, The virgin's wish without her fears impart, Excuse the blush, and pour out all the heart, Speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, And waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole. Thou know'st how guiltless first I met thy flame, When Love approach'd me under Friendship's name; 60 My fancy form'd thee of angelic kind, Some emanation of th' all-beauteous Mind. Those smiling eyes, attemp'ring ev'ry day, Shone sweetly lambent with celestial day. Guiltless I gaz'd; heav'n listen'd while you sung; And truths divine came mended from that tongue. From lips like those what precept fail'd to move? Too soon they taught me 'twas no sin to love. Back through the paths of pleasing sense I ran, Nor wish'd an Angel whom I lov'd a Man. 70 Dim and remote the joys of saints I see; Nor envy them, that heav'n I lose for thee. How oft, when press'd to marriage, have I said, Curse on all laws but those which love has made! Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies, Let wealth, let honour, wait the wedded dame, August her deed, and sacred be her fame; Before true passion all those views remove, Fame, wealth, and honour! what are you to Love? 80 The jealous God, when we profane his fires, Those restless passions in revenge inspires; And bids them make mistaken mortals groan, Who seek in love for aught but love alone. Should at my feet the world's great master fall, Himself, his throne, his world, I'd scorn 'em all: Not Caesar's empress would I deign to prove; No, make me mistress to the man I love; If there be yet another name more free, More fond than mistress, make me that to thee! 90 Oh happy state! when souls each other draw, When love is liberty, and nature, law: All then is full, possessing, and possess'd, No craving void left aching in the breast: Ev'n thought meets thought, ere from the lips it part, And each warm wish springs mutual from the heart. This sure is bliss (if bliss on earth there be) And once the lot of Abelard and me. Alas, how chang'd! what sudden horrors rise! A naked lover bound and bleeding lies! 100 Where, where was Eloise? her voice, her hand, Her poniard, had oppos'd the dire command. Barbarian, stay! that bloody stroke restrain; The crime was common, common be the pain. I can no more; by shame, by rage suppress'd, Let tears, and burning blushes speak the rest. Canst thou forget that sad, that solemn day, When victims at yon altar's foot we lay? Canst thou forget what tears that moment fell, When, warm in youth, I bade the world farewell? 110 As with cold lips I kiss'd the sacred veil, The shrines all trembl'd, and the lamps grew pale: Heav'n scarce believ'd the conquest it survey'd, And saints with wonder heard the vows I made. Yet then, to those dread altars as I drew, Not on the Cross my eyes were fix'd, but you: Not grace, or zeal, love only was my call, And if I lose thy love, I lose my all. Come! with thy looks, thy words, relieve my woe; Those still at least are left thee to bestow. 120 Still on that breast enamour'd let me lie, Still drink delicious poison from thy eye, Pant on thy lip, and to thy heart be press'd; Give all thou canst--and let me dream the rest. Ah no! instruct me other joys to prize, With other beauties charm my partial eyes, Full in my view set all the bright abode, And make my soul quit Abelard for God. Ah, think at least thy flock deserves thy care, Plants of thy hand, and children of thy pray'r. 130 From the false world in early youth they fled, By thee to mountains, wilds, and deserts led. You rais'd these hallow'd walls; the desert smil'd, And Paradise was open'd in the wild. No weeping orphan saw his father's stores Our shrines irradiate, or emblaze the floors; No silver saints, by dying misers giv'n, Here brib'd the rage of ill-requited heav'n: But such plain roofs as piety could raise, And only vocal with the Maker's praise. 140 In these lone walls (their days eternal bound) These moss-grown domes with spiry turrets crown'd, Where awful arches make a noonday night, And the dim windows shed a solemn light; Thy eyes diffus'd a reconciling ray, And gleams of glory brighten'd all the day. But now no face divine contentment wears, 'Tis all blank sadness, or continual tears. See how the force of others' pray'rs I try, (O pious fraud of am'rous charity!) 150 But why should I on others' pray'rs depend? Come thou, my father, brother, husband, friend! Ah let thy handmaid, sister, daughter move, And all those tender names in one, thy love! The darksome pines that o'er yon rocks reclin'd Wave high, and murmur to the hollow wind, The wand'ring streams that shine between the hills, The grots that echo to the tinkling rills, The dying gales that pant upon the trees, The lakes that quiver to the curling breeze; 160 No more these scenes my meditation aid, Or lull to rest the visionary maid. But o'er the twilight groves and dusky caves, Long-sounding aisles, and intermingled graves, Black Melancholy sits, and round her throws A death-like silence, and a dread repose: Her gloomy presence saddens all the scene, Shades ev'ry flow'r, and darkens ev'ry green, Deepens the murmur of the falling floods, And breathes a browner horror on the woods. 170 Yet here for ever, ever must I stay; Sad proof how well a lover can obey! Death, only death, can break the lasting chain; And here, ev'n then, shall my cold dust remain, Here all its frailties, all its flames resign, And wait till 'tis no sin to mix with thine. Ah wretch! believ'd the spouse of God in vain, Confess'd within the slave of love and man. Assist me, Heav'n! but whence arose that pray'r? Sprung it from piety, or from despair? 180 Ev'n here, where frozen chastity retires, Love finds an altar for forbidden fires. I ought to grieve, but cannot what I ought; I mourn the lover, not lament the fault; I view my crime, but kindle at the view, Repent old pleasures, and solicit new; Now turn'd to Heav'n, I weep my past offence, Now think of thee, and curse my innocence. Of all affliction taught a lover yet, 'Tis sure the hardest science to forget! 190 How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, And love th' offender, yet detest th' offence? How the dear object from the crime remove, Or how distinguish penitence from love? Unequal task! a passion to resign, For hearts so touch'd, so pierc'd, so lost as mine. Ere such a soul regains its peaceful state, How often must it love, how often hate! How often hope, despair, resent, regret, Conceal, disdain--do all things but forget. 200 But let Heav'n seize it, all at once 'tis fir'd; Not touch'd, but rapt; not waken'd, but inspir'd! Oh come! oh teach me nature to subdue, Renounce my love, my life, myself--and you. Fill my fond heart with God alone, for he Alone can rival, can succeed to thee. How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd; 210 Labour and rest, that equal periods keep; "Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;" Desires compos'd, affections ever ev'n, Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heav'n. Grace shines around her with serenest beams, And whisp'ring angels prompt her golden dreams. For her th' unfading rose of Eden blooms, And wings of seraphs shed divine perfumes, For her the Spouse prepares the bridal ring, For her white virgins hymeneals sing, 220 To sounds of heav'nly harps she dies away, And melts in visions of eternal day. Far other dreams my erring soul employ, Far other raptures, of unholy joy: When at the close of each sad, sorrowing day, Fancy restores what vengeance snatch'd away, Then conscience sleeps, and leaving nature free, All my loose soul unbounded springs to thee. Oh curs'd, dear horrors of all-conscious night! How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight! 230 Provoking Daemons all restraint remove, And stir within me every source of love. I hear thee, view thee, gaze o'er all thy charms, And round thy phantom glue my clasping arms. I wake--no more I hear, no more I view, The phantom flies me, as unkind as you. I call aloud; it hears not what I say; I stretch my empty arms; it glides away. To dream once more I close my willing eyes; Ye soft illusions, dear deceits, arise! 240 Alas, no more--methinks we wand'ring go Through dreary wastes, and weep each other's woe, Where round some mould'ring tower pale ivy creeps, And low-brow'd rocks hang nodding o'er the deeps. Sudden you mount, you beckon from the skies; Clouds interpose, waves roar, and winds arise. I shriek, start up, the same sad prospect find, And wake to all the griefs I left behind. For thee the fates, severely kind, ordain A cool suspense from pleasure and from pain; 250 Thy life a long, dead calm of fix'd repose; No pulse that riots, and no blood that glows. Still as the sea, ere winds were taught to blow, Or moving spirit bade the waters flow; Soft as the slumbers of a saint forgiv'n, And mild as opening gleams of promis'd heav'n. Come, Abelard! for what hast thou to dread? The torch of Venus burns not for the dead. Nature stands check'd; Religion disapproves; Ev'n thou art cold--yet Eloisa loves. 260 Ah hopeless, lasting flames! like those that burn To light the dead, and warm th' unfruitful urn. What scenes appear where'er I turn my view? The dear ideas, where I fly, pursue, Rise in the grove, before the altar rise, Stain all my soul, and wanton in my eyes. I waste the matin lamp in sighs for thee, Thy image steals between my God and me, Thy voice I seem in ev'ry hymn to hear, With ev'ry bead I drop too soft a tear. 270 When from the censer clouds of fragrance roll, And swelling organs lift the rising soul, One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight, Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight: In seas of flame my plunging soul is drown'd, While altars blaze, and angels tremble round. While prostrate here in humble grief I lie, Kind, virtuous drops just gath'ring in my eye, While praying, trembling, in the dust I roll, And dawning grace is op'ning on my soul: 280 Come, if thou dar'st, all charming as thou art! Oppose thyself to Heav'n; dispute my heart; Come, with one glance of those deluding eyes Blot out each bright idea of the skies; Take back that grace, those sorrows, and those tears; Take back my fruitless penitence and pray'rs; Snatch me, just mounting, from the blest abode; Assist the fiends, and tear me from my God! No, fly me, fly me, far as pole from pole; Rise Alps between us! and whole oceans roll! 290 Ah, come not, write not, think not once of me, Nor share one pang of all I felt for thee. Thy oaths I quit, thy memory resign; Forget, renounce me, hate whate'er was mine. Fair eyes, and tempting looks (which yet I view!) Long lov'd, ador'd ideas, all adieu! Oh Grace serene! oh virtue heav'nly fair! Divine oblivion of low-thoughted care! Fresh blooming hope, gay daughter of the sky! And faith, our early immortality! 300 Enter, each mild, each amicable guest; Receive, and wrap me in eternal rest! See in her cell sad Eloisa spread, Propp'd on some tomb, a neighbour of the dead. In each low wind methinks a spirit calls, And more than echoes talk along the walls. Here, as I watch'd the dying lamps around, From yonder shrine I heard a hollow sound. "Come, sister, come!" (it said, or seem'd to say) "Thy place is here, sad sister, come away! 310 Once like thyself, I trembled, wept, and pray'd, Love's victim then, though now a sainted maid: But all is calm in this eternal sleep; Here grief forgets to groan, and love to weep, Ev'n superstition loses ev'ry fear: For God, not man, absolves our frailties here." I come, I come! prepare your roseate bow'rs, Celestial palms, and ever-blooming flow'rs. Thither, where sinners may have rest, I go, Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow: 320 Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay, And smooth my passage to the realms of day; See my lips tremble, and my eye-balls roll, Suck my last breath, and catch my flying soul! Ah no--in sacred vestments may'st thou stand, The hallow'd taper trembling in thy hand, Present the cross before my lifted eye, Teach me at once, and learn of me to die. Ah then, thy once-lov'd Eloisa see! It will be then no crime to gaze on me. 330 See from my cheek the transient roses fly! See the last sparkle languish in my eye! Till ev'ry motion, pulse, and breath be o'er; And ev'n my Abelard be lov'd no more. O Death all-eloquent! you only prove What dust we dote on, when 'tis man we love. Then too, when fate shall thy fair frame destroy, (That cause of all my guilt, and all my joy) In trance ecstatic may thy pangs be drown'd, Bright clouds descend, and angels watch thee round, 340 From op'ning skies may streaming glories shine, And saints embrace thee with a love like mine. May one kind grave unite each hapless name, And graft my love immortal on thy fame! Then, ages hence, when all my woes are o'er, When this rebellious heart shall beat no more; If ever chance two wand'ring lovers brings To Paraclete's white walls and silver springs, O'er the pale marble shall they join their heads, And drink the falling tears each other sheds; 350 Then sadly say, with mutual pity mov'd, "Oh may we never love as these have lov'd!" From the full choir when loud Hosannas rise, And swell the pomp of dreadful sacrifice, Amid that scene if some relenting eye Glance on the stone where our cold relics lie, Devotion's self shall steal a thought from Heav'n, One human tear shall drop and be forgiv'n. And sure, if fate some future bard shall join In sad similitude of griefs to mine, 360 Condemn'd whole years in absence to deplore, And image charms he must behold no more; Such if there be, who loves so long, so well; Let him our sad, our tender story tell; The well-sung woes will soothe my pensive ghost; He best can paint 'em, who shall feel 'em most.