To fifty chofen Sylphs, of special note, 121 We trust th' important charge, the Petticoat: NOTES. 126 Gums VER. 118. the Petticoat :] It is impoffible here not to recollect that matchless piece of raillery and exquifite humour, of Addison, in the 127th Spectator, on this important part of female drefs. WARTON. VER. 125. Shall feel fharp Vengeance] Our Poet ftill rifes in the delicacy of his fatire, where he employs, with the utmost judg ment and elegance, all the implements and furniture of the toilette, as inftruments of punishment to those spirits, who shall be careless of their charge; of punishment, fuch as Sylphs alone could undergo. WARTON. This is indeed one of the most happy fpecimens of Pope's poetical fancy, and invention. IMITATIONS. VER. 119. clypei dominus feptemplicis Ajax. OVID. WARBURTON. VER. 121. about the filver bound,] In allufion to the shield of Achilles : "Thus the broad fhield complete the Artist crown'd, In living Silver feem'd the waves to roll, And beat the Buckler's verge, and bound the whole. VOL. I. Y WARBURTON, Gums and Pomatums fhall his flight reftrain, While clog'd he beats his filken wings in vain; 130 Shrink his thin effence like a rivel'd flow'r: He fpoke; the fpirits from the fails defcend; 1 135 140 THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. CLOSE CANTO III. LOSE by thofe meads, for ever crown'd with flow'rs, Where Thames with pride furveys his rifing tow'rs, 5 10 Of foreign Tyrants, and of Nymphs at home; 15 Snuff, VARIATIONS. VER. 1. Clofe by thofe meads,] The firft Edition continues from this line to ver. 24. of this Canto. РОРЕ. VER. 11, 12. Originally in the first Edition, In various talk the chearful hours they past, POPE. Snuff, or the fan, fupply each pause of chat, Mean while, declining from the noon of day, 20 The merchant from th' Exchange returns in peace, Soon as the spreads her hand, th' aërial guard 25 30 Then each according to the rank they bore; For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race, 35 Are, as when women, wond'rous fond of place. Behold, four Kings, in majesty rever'd, With hoary whiskers and a forky beard; And VARIATIONS. VER. 24. And the long labours of the Toilet ceafe.] All that fol lows of the game at Ombre, was added fince the firft Edition, till ver. 105. which connected thus, Sudden the board with cups and spoons is crown'd. POPE. NOTES. VER. 22. And wretches hang] From Congreve. WARTON. And four fair Queens whofe hands fustain a flow'r, 40 The skilful Nymph reviews her force with care: Let Spades be trumps! she said, and trumps they were. Now move to war her fable Matadores, In fhow like leaders of the fwarthy Moors. 47 Led off two captive trumps, and swept the board. 51 And march'd a victor from the verdant field. Him Bafto follow'd, but his fate more hard Gain'd but one trump and one Plebeian card. 55 The rebel Knave, who dares his prince engagé, 60 Ev'n mighty Pam, that Kings and Queens o'erthrew, And mow'd down armies in the fights of Lu, Sad chance of war! now destitute of aid, Falls undistinguish'd by the victor Spade! NOTES. Thus VER. 53. Him Bafto follow'd,] The magnificent and majeflic ftyle in which this game of cards is defcribed, artfully and finely heightens the ridicule. WARTON. |