But when to mischief mortals bend their will, 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 fingers' 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; And thrice they twitch'd the diamond in her ear; Thrice she look'd back, and thrice the foe drew near. Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought The close recesses of the virgin's thought; 140 As on the nosegay in her breast reclined, He watch'd the ideas rising in her mind, Sudden he view'd, in spite of all her art, An earthly lover lurking at her heart. Amazed, confused, he found his power expired, Resign'd 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; 150 Fate urged the shears, and cut the Sylph in twain, (But airy substance soon unites again) The meeting points the sacred hair dissever From the fair head, for ever, and for ever! Then flash'd the living lightning from her eyes, And screams of horror rend the affrighted skies. Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast, When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last; Or when rich China vessels, fallen from high, In glittering dust and painted fragments lie! 160 'Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine, (The victor cried) the glorious prize is mine! While fish in streams, or birds delight in air, Or in a coach-and-six the British fair, As long as Atalantis[32] shall be read, Or the small pillow grace a lady's bed, While visits shall be paid on solemn days, When numerous wax-lights in bright order blaze, While nymphs take treats, or assignations give, So long my honour, name, and praise shall live!' 170 What Time would spare, from steel receives its date, And monuments, like men, submit to fate! Steel could the labour of the gods destroy, And strike to dust the imperial towers of Troy; Steel could the works of mortal pride confound, And hew triumphal arches to the ground. What wonder then, fair nymph! thy hairs should feel, The conquering force of unresisted steel? * * * * * VARIATIONS. VER. 1. The first edition continues from this line to ver. 24 of this canto. VER. 12. Originally in the first edition:-- In various talk the cheerful hours they pass'd, Of who was bit, or who capotted last. VER. 24. All that follows of the game at ombre, was added since the first edition, till ver. 105, which connected thus:-- Sudden the board with cups and spoons is crown'd.