Nourished two locks, which graceful hung Soft o'er the shrouds aërial whispers behind 20 In equal curls, and well conspired to deck With shining ringlets the smooth ivory neck. Love in these labyrinths his slaves detains, And mighty hearts are held in slender chains. With hairy springes we the birds betray; 25 Slight lines of hair surprise the finny prey; Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare, And beauty draws us with a single hair. Th' adventurous baron the bright locks admired; He saw, he wished, and to the prize aspired. breathe, Haste, then, ye spirits! to your charge repair: The fluttering fan be Zephyretta's care; The drops to thee, Brillante, we consign; And, Momentilla, let the watch be thine; Do thou, Crispissa, tend her favorite lock; Ariel himself shall be the guard of Shock. To fifty chosen sylphs, of special note, 117 We trust th' important charge, the petticoat: Oft have we known that seven-fold fence to fail, Though stiff with hoops, and armed with ribs of whale; 120 Not a less pleasing, though less glorious Or alum styptics with contracting power Shrink his thin essence like a rivelled flower; care; To save the powder from too rude a gale, 95 To steal from rainbows, ere they drop in showers, 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 furbelow. 100 "This day, black omens threat the brightest fair That e'er deserved a watchful spirit's care; engage, Proves the just victim of his royal rage. 60 E'en mighty Pam, that kings and queens o'erthrew, And mowed down armies in the fights of Loo, Sad chance of war! now destitute of aid, Falls undistinguished by the victor spade. Thus far both armies to Belinda yield; Now to the baron fate inclines the field. 66 His warlike Amazon her host invades, Th' imperial consort of the crown of spades; The club's black tyrant first her victim died, Spite of his haughty mien, and barbarous pride. 70 |