Come then, the colours and the ground prepare! Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air; Chuse a firm cloud, before it fall, and in it Catch, ere she change, the Cynthia of this minute. 19 25 Shine, buzz, and fly-blow in the setting sun. The frail one's advocate, the weak one's friend. 30 To her, Calista prov'd her conduct nice; And good Simplicius 'asks of her advice. Sudden, she storms! she raves! You tip the wink, But spare your censure; Silia does not drink. All eyes may see from what the change arose, 35 All eyes may see a pimple on her nose. Papillia, wedded to her am'rous spark, Sighs for the shades!" How charming is a Park!" All bath'd in tears-"Oh odious, odious trees !" 39 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe; Finé VER. 24. As Sappho's di’monds, &c.] It appears very clear that by Sappho, throughout, Lady Montagu must have been meant. Fine by defect, and delicately weak, Their happy spots the nice admirer take. 45 50 As when she touch'd the brink of all we hate. To make a wash, would hardly stew a child ; 55 When 'tis by that alone she can be born? бо A fool to pleasure, yet a slave to fame : Now deep in Taylor and the Book of Martyrs, Now drinking citron with his Grace and Chartres: Now conscience chills her, and now passion burns: And atheism and religion take their turns; 66 A heathen in the carnal part, very Yet still a sad, good Christian at her heart. See VER. 68. Yet still a sad,] Thought to be designed for the then See sin in state, majestically drunk; Proud as a peeress, prouder as a punk ; 70 What then? let blood and body bear the fault, 75 She sins with poets through pure love of wit. 8Q Th' address, the delicacy-stoops at once, 85 And makes her hearty meal upon a dunce. Flavia's a wit, has too much sense to pray; To toast our wants and wishes is her way; VER. 70. Proud as a peeress,] Designed for the Duchess of Marlborough, who so much admired Congreve; and after his death caused a figure of wax-work to be made of him, and placed frequently at her table. VER. 77. What has not fir'd, &c.] In the MS. In whose mad brain the mixt ideas roll Then all for death, that opiate of the soul! Wise wretch! with pleasures too refin❜d to please; With too much quickness ever to be taught; And die of nothing but a rage to live. Turn then from wits, and look on Simo's mate, Or her, that owns her faults, but never mends, Or her, who laughs at hell, but (like her Grace) 96 100 106 Cries, "Ah! how charming if there's no such place!” Of mirth and opium, ratafie and tears, But what are these to great Atossa's mind? 115 Scarce once herself, by turns all womankind! Who VER. 107. Or her, who laughs at bell,] The person Pope in tended to ridicule was the Duchess of Montague. Who, with herself, or others, from her birth Her ev'ry turn with violence pursu’d, No more a storm her hate than gratitude : To that each passion turns, or soon or late; 120 125 130 135 Offend VER. 115. great Atossa's mind?] Atossa is a name mentioned in Herodotus, and said to be a follower of Sappho. She was daughter of Cyrus and sister of Cambyses, and married Darius. She is also named in the Persæ of schylus. She is said to be the first that wrote epistles. The name is here applied to the famous Duchess of Marlborough, whom Swift had also severely satirized in the Examiner. After Ver. 122. in the MS. Oppress'd with wealth and wit, abundance sad! |