To failings mild, but zealous for defert;

The cleareft Head, and the finccreft Heart.
This humble praife, lamented Shade, receive,

This praife at least a grateful Muse may give :
The Mufe, whofe carly voice you taught to fing,
Prefcrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing,
(Her guide now loft) no more attempts to rife,
But in low numbers fhort excurfions tries:
Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view,
The learn'd reflect on what before they knew:
Careless of cenfure, nor too fond of fame;
Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame;
Averfe alike to flatter, or offend;

Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend,

735

740

745

THE

THE

RAPE OF THE LOCK.

A N

HEROI-COMICAL POEM.

Written in the Year 1712.

Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos;
Sed juvat hoc precibus me tribuiffe tuis.

MARTIAL.

то

Mrs. ARABELLA FERMOR.

MADAM,

will be in vain to deny that I have fome regard for this piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet you may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young ladies, who have good fenfe and good humour enough to laugh not only at their fex's little unguarded follies, but at their own. But as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it soon found its way into the world. An imperfect copy having been offered to a Bookfeller, you had the good nature for my fake to confent to the publication of one more correct: this I was forced to, before I had executed half my defign, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it.

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to fignify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Dæmons are made to act in a Poem: for the ancient Poets are in one respect like many modern Ladies; let an action be never fo trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. Thefe Machines I determined to raise on a very new and odd foundation, the Roficrucian doctrine of Spirits.

I know how disagreeable it is to make ufe of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis fo 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 Roficrucians are a people I muft bring you acquainted with. The beft account I know of them is in

3

a French

a French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in its title and fize is fo 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 mifchief; but the Sylphs, whofe habitation is in the air, are the best-conditioned creatures imaginable. For they fay, any mortals may enjoy the most intimate familiarities with thefe gentle Spirits, upon a condition very eafy to all true Adepts, an inviolate prefervation of chastity.

As to the following Cantos, all the paffages of them are as fabulous as the Vision at the beginning, or the Transformation at the end; (except the lofs of your Hair, which I always mention with reverence.) The Human perfons are as fictitious as the Airy ones; and the character of Belinda, as it is now managed, resembles you in nothing but in Beauty.

If this Poem had as many Graces as there are in your Perfon, or in your Mind, yet I could never hope it fhould pass through the world half fo Uncenfured as You have done. But let its fortune be what it will, mine is happy enough, to have given me this occafion of affuring you that I am, with the trueft efteem,

MADAM,

Your moft obedient,

Humble Servant,

A. POPE.

THE