Where wigs with wigs, with sword-knots fword-knots
Beaux banish beaux, 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 fprite, and Ariel is my name.
Late, as I rang'd the cryftal wilds of air,
In the clear mirror of thy ruling Star
I faw, alas! fome dread event impend,
Ere to the main this morning fun defcend,
But heav'n reveals not what, or how, or where:
Warn'd by the Sylph, oh pious maid, beware!
This to disclose is all thy guardian can:
Beware of all, but moft beware of Man?
VER. 108. In the clear mirror] The Language of the Platonifts, the writers of the intelligible world of Spirits, etc. P.
VER. 113. This to difclofe, etc.] There is much pleasantry in the conduct of this scene. The Roficrufian Doctrine was delivered only to Adepts, with the utmost caution, and under the moft folemn injunctions of fecrefy. It is here communicated to a Woman, and in that way of conveyance, which a Woman moft delights to make the fubject of her conversation; that is to fay, her Dreams.
Jam clypeus clypeis, umbone repellitur umbo,
Enfe minax enfis, pede pes, et cufpide cufpis, etc.
He faid; when Shock, who thought fhe flept too long,
Leap'd up, and wak'd his miftrefs with his tongue. 'Twas then, Belinda, if report fay true,
Thy eyes firft open'd on a Billet-doux ;
Wounds, Charms, and Ardours, were no fooner read,
But all the Vision vanish'd from thy head.
And now unveil'd, the Toilet ftands display'd, Each filver Vafe in mystic order laid.
VER. 121. And now, unveil'd, etc.] The tranflation of thefe verfes, containing the defcription of the toilette, by our Author's friend Dr. Parnell, deferve, for their humour, to be here inferted. P.
Et nunc dilectum fpeculum, pro more retectum,
Emicat in menfa, quæ fplendet pyxide denfa :
Tum primum lympha fe purgat candida Nympha,
Jamque fine menda, cœleftis imago videnda,
Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet ocellos.
Hæc ftupet implorans, cui cultus numen adorans.
Inferior claram Pythoniffa apparet ad aram,
Fertque tibi caute, dicatque Superbia! laute,
Dona venufta; oris, quæ cunctis, plena laboris,
Excerpta explorat, dominamque deamque decorat.
Pyxide devota, fe pandit hic India tota,
Et tota ex ifta transpirat Arabia cista ;
Teftudo hic flectit dum fe mea Lesbia pectit;
Atque elephas lente, te pectit Lefbia 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;
Firft, 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 the bends, to that her eyes she rears;
Th' inferior Priestess, at her altar's fide,
Trembling begins the facred rites of Pride.
Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here
The various off'rings of the world appear;
From each fhe nicely culls with curious toil,
And decks the Goddess with the glitt'ring spoil.
This cafket India's glowing gems unlocks,
And all Arabia breathes from yonder box.
The tortoife here and elephant unite,
Transform'd to combs, the fpeckled, 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,
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.
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 Berty tibi vel nitidiffima Letty!
Gloria factorum temere conceditur horum.
The bufy Sylphs furround their darling care,
These fet the head, and thofe divide the hair,
Some fold the fleeve, whilft others plait the gown;
And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own.
VER. 145. The bufy Sylphs, etc.] Antient Tra ditions o 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. P.
OT with more glories, in th' etherial plain,
The Sun first rises 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 breast a sparkling Cross she wore,
Which Jews might kifs, and Infidels adore.
Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose,
Quick as her eyes, and as unfix'd as those :
Favours to none, to all fhe fmiles extends;
Oft she rejects, but never once offends.
Bright as the fun, her eyes the gazers ftrike,
And, like the fun, they shine on all alike.
VER. 4. Launch'd on the bosom, etc.] From hence the poem continues in the first Edition, to ver. 46.
"The reft the winds difpers'd in empty air; all after to the end of this Canto, being additional. P.
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