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; Some dire disaster, or by force, or slight; But what, or where, the fates have wrapped in night.

Whether the nymph shall break Diana's law,

105

56

With his broad saber next, a chief in years,
The hoary majesty of spades appears,
Puts forth one manly leg, to sight revealed,
The rest, his many-colored robe concealed.
The rebel knave, who dares his prince en-
gage,

Proves the just victim of his royal rage. 60 Even 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; 65 Now to the baron fate inclines the field. His warlike Amazon her host invades, The 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

And frequent cups prolong the rich repast. Straight hover round the fair her airy band; Some, as she sipped, the fuming liquor fanned,

Some o'er her lap their careful plumes displayed,

115

Trembling, and conscious of the rich brocade.

Coffee (which makes the politician wise, And see through all things with his halfshut eyes)

Sent up in vapors to the baron's brain

New stratagems the radiant lock to gain. 120 Ah, cease, rash youth! desist ere 't is too late,

Fear the just gods, and think of Scylla's fate!

Changed to a bird, and sent to flit in air, She dearly pays for Nisus' injured hair! But when to mischief mortals bend their will,

125

How soon they find fit instruments of ill! Just then Clarissa drew with tempting grace A two-edged weapon from her shining case: So ladies in romance assist their knight, Present the spear, and arm him for the fight.

130

He takes the gift with reverence, 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 sprites repair, A thousand wings, by turns, blow back the hair;

136 And thrice they twitched the diamond in her ear;

Thrice she looked back, and thrice the foe drew near.

Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought
The close recesses of the virgin's thought;
As on the nosegay in her breast reclined,
He watched the ideas rising in her mind,
Sudden he viewed, in spite of all her art,
An earthly lover lurking at her heart.
Amazed, confused, he found his power ex-
pired,

145

Resigned to fate, and with a sigh retired. The peer now spreads the glittering forfex wide,

To inclose the lock; now joins it, to divide. Even then, before the fatal engine closed, A wretched sylph too fondly interposed; Fate urged the shears, and cut the sylph in twain,

151

(But airy substance soon unites again) The meeting points the sacred hair dissever