3 The sprites of fiery termagants 2 in flame бо 65 With varying vanities, from every part, They shift the moving toyshop of their heart; " Where wigs with wigs, with sword knots sword knots strive, Beaus banish beaus, and coaches coaches drive. 70 This erring mortals levity may call ;7 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. I saw, alas! some dread event impend, 75 Ere to the main 9 this morning sun descend; But Heaven reveals not what, or how, or where: 80 1 Spirits. 2 A name given by early Christians to a Mohammedan deity. In the miracle plays and moralities he appears as a boisterous character. The name is now applied to a turbulent woman. 3 An amphibious animal allied to the frog. It was an old superstition that it could endure fire without harm. 66 4 In Pope's time tea was pronounced tay. 5 See p. 22. 6 " 'They shift the moving toyshop,” etc., i.e., readily change their affections from one object to another. "The heart was nothing but a toyshop" (ADDISON'S Spectator). 7 Note the ambiguity. 8" In the clear mirror." "The language of the Platonists, the writers of the intelligible world of spirits, etc." (POPE). 9 What is the meaning of this word? 10 What different meanings has “pious"? What does it signify here? This to disclose is all thy guardian can: Beware of all, but most beware of man!" He said when Shock,1 who thought she slept too long, Leaped up, and waked his mistress with his tongue. 85 'Twas then, Belinda, if report say true, Thy eyes first opened on a billet-doux; Wounds, charms, and ardors, were no sooner read, And now, unveiled, the toilet 2 stands displayed, First, robed in white, the nymph intent adores, Transformed to combs, the speckled and the white. 1 Her lapdog. 2 French, toile, "cloth." Trace to its present meaning. 3 "Unlocks," i.e., discloses. 4 Explain the figures in " Arabia," " tortoise," "elephant." 90 95 100 105 5 "The absurd practice of wearing black patches called 'beauty spots' had its origin in the necessity which a reigning belle at court had for concealing a blemish on her face; but the chief use was from a foolish notion that beauty of complexion was heightened by contrast of color" (GRIFFITH). "Bibles, billets-doux." Note the association. Now awful beauty puts on all its arms; ΙΙΟ 115 CANTO II. NOT with more glories, in the ethereal plain,1 Than, issuing forth, the rival3 of his beams Fair nymphs and well-dressed youths around her shone, 5 On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore, Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all. This nymph, to the destruction of mankind, Nourished two locks, which graceful hung behind 6 1 "Ethereal plain." What is meant by this expression? 4 In what sense here employed? 5 An ornamental epithet. What is its signification? 6 Cherished. IO 15 20 In equal curls, and well conspired to deck, 25 And beauty draws us with a single hair. The adventurous Baron 3 the bright locks admired; He saw, he wished, and to the prize aspired. 30 Resolved to win, he meditates the way, By force to ravish, or by fraud betray; Of twelve vast French romances,6 neatly gilt. 35 And all the trophies of his former loves: 40 And breathes three amorous sighs to raise the fire. Then prostrate falls, and begs with ardent eyes Soon to obtain, and long possess the prize: The powers gave ear, and granted half his prayer, 45 The rest, the winds dispersed in empty air. But now secure the painted vessel glides, 7 The sunbeams trembling on the floating tides; 1 What labyrinths? What is the allusion? 2 Cf. Shakespeare's Hamlet, i. iii. : “ Springes to catch woodcocks." 3 Lord Petre. See Introduction, p. 12. 4 "The end justifies the means.' 5 See Note 4, p. 23. 6 "Clelie," a French romance, was put forth in ten volumes of eight hundred pages each. 7 Used transitively, i.e., the tides that float the vessel. |