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The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems QUOTES

The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems QUOTES

1 " The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, and wretches hang that jurymen may dine. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

2 " Thrice rung the bell, the slipper knock'd the ground,   And the press'd watch return'd a silver sound.   Belinda still her downy pillow prest,   Her guardian SYLPH prolong'd the balmy rest: "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

3 " But now secure the painted vessel glides,   The sun-beams trembling on the floating tides:   While melting music steals upon the sky,   And soften'd sounds along the waters die; 50   Smooth flow the waves, the Zephyrs gently play,   Belinda smil'd, and all the world was gay. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

4 " For who can move when fair Belinda fails?   Not half so fix'd the Trojan could remain, 5   While Anna begg'd and Dido rag'd in vain.   Then grave Clarissa graceful wav'd her fan;   Silence ensu'd, and thus the nymph began. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

5 " foreign Tyrants and of Nymphs at home;   Here thou, great ANNA! whom three realms obey.   Dost sometimes counsel take—and sometimes Tea.   Hither the heroes and the nymphs resort,   To taste awhile the pleasures of a Court; 10   In various talk th' instructive hours they past,   Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;   One speaks the glory of the British Queen,   And one describes a charming Indian screen;   A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes; 15   At ev'ry word a reputation dies. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

6 " Roar'd for the handkerchief that caus'd his pain.   But see how oft ambitious aims are cross'd,   And chiefs contend 'till all the prize is lost!   The Lock, obtain'd with guilt, and kept with pain,   In ev'ry place is sought, but sought in vain: 110   With such a prize no mortal must be blest,   So heav'n decrees! with heav'n who can contest? "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

7 " The hungry Judges soon the sentence sign,   And wretches hang that jury-men may dine;   The merchant from th' Exchange returns in peace,   And the long labours of the Toilet cease.   Belinda now, whom thirst of fame invites, 25   Burns to encounter two advent'rous Knights, "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

8 " Soon as she spreads her hand, th' aërial guard   Descend, and sit on each important card:   First Ariel perch'd upon a Matadore,   Then each, according to the rank they bore;   For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race, 35   Are, as when women, wondrous fond of place.   Behold, four Kings in majesty rever'd,   With hoary whiskers and a forky beard;   And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a flow'r,   Th' expressive emblem of their softer pow'r; 40   Four Knaves in garbs succinct, a trusty band,   Caps on their heads, and halberts in their hand;   And particolour'd troops, a shining train,   Draw forth to combat on the velvet plain. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

9 " Hang o'er the Box, and hover round the Ring.   Think what an equipage thou hast in Air, 45   And view with scorn two Pages and a Chair. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

10 " With varying vanities, from ev'ry part,   They shift the moving Toyshop of their heart; 100   Where wigs with wigs, with sword-knots sword-knots strive,   Beaux banish beaux, and coaches coaches drive. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

11 " And now, unveil'd, the Toilet stands display'd,   Each silver Vase in mystic order laid.   First, rob'd in white, the Nymph intent adores,   With head uncover'd, the Cosmetic pow'rs.   A heav'nly image in the glass appears, 125   To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears;   Th' inferior Priestess, at her altar's side,   Trembling begins the sacred rites of Pride.   Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

12 " Favours to none, to all she smiles extends;   Oft she rejects, but never once offends. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

13 " This Nymph, to the destruction of mankind,   Nourish'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind 20   In equal curls, and well conspir'd to deck   With shining ringlets the smooth iv'ry neck. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

14 " The bodkin, comb, and essence to prepare?   For this your locks in paper durance bound,   For this with tort'ring irons wreath'd around? 100   For this with fillets strain'd your tender head,   And bravely bore the double loads of lead? "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

15 " Honour forbid! at whose unrivall'd shrine 105   Ease, pleasure, virtue, all our sex resign.   Methinks already I your tears survey,   Already hear the horrid things they say,   Already see you a degraded toast,   And all your honour in a whisper lost! 110   How shall I, then, your helpless fame "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems

16 " Z—ds! damn the lock! 'fore Gad, you must be civil!   Plague on't!'t is past a jest—nay prithee, pox!   Give her the hair"—he spoke, and rapp'd his box. "

― Alexander Pope , The Rape of the Lock and Other Poems