Some thought it mounted to the Lunar sphere, Since all things lost on earth are treasur'd there. There Hero's wits are kept in pond'rous vases, 115 And beau's in snuff-boxes and tweezer-cases. There broken vows and death-bed alms are found, And lovers' hearts with ends of riband bound, The courtier's promises, and sick man's pray'rs, The smiles of harlots, and the tears of heirs, 120 Cages for gnats, and chains to yoke a flea, Dry'd butterflies, and tomes of casuistry. But trust the Muse--she saw it upward rise, Tho' mark'd by none but quick, poetic eyes: (So Rome's great founder to the heav'ns withdrew, 125 To Proculus alone confess'd in view) A sudden Star, it shot thro' liquid air, And drew behind a radiant trail of hair. Not Berenice's Locks first rose so bright, The heav'ns bespangling with dishevell'd light. 130 The Sylphs behold it kindling as it flies, And pleas'd pursue its progress thro' the skies. This the Beau monde shall from the Mall survey, And hail with music its propitious ray. This the blest Lover shall for Venus take, 135 And send up vows from Rosamonda's lake. This Partridge soon shall view in cloudless skies, When next he looks thro' Galileo's eyes; And hence th' egregious wizard shall foredoom The fate of Louis, and the fall of Rome. 140 Then cease, bright Nymph! to mourn thy ravish'd hair, Which adds new glory to the shining sphere! Not all the tresses that fair head can boast, Shall draw such envy as the Lock you lost. For, after all the murders of your eye, 145 When, after millions slain, yourself shall die: When those fair suns shall set, as set they must, And all those tresses shall be laid in dust, This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame, And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name. 150 * * * * * CONTENTS OF THE ESSAY ON CRITICISM PART I Introduction. That 'tis as great a fault to judge ill, as to write v. 1. ill, and a more dangerous one to the public, v. 9 to 18 That a true Taste is as rare to be found, as a true Genius. v. 19 to 25 That most men are born with some Taste, but spoiled by false Education. v. 26 to 45 The multitude of Critics, and causes of them. v. 46 to 67. That we are to study our own Taste, and know the Limits of it. v. 68 to 87 Nature the best guide of Judgment. v. 88 Improv'd by Art and Rules,--which are but methodis'd Nature. v. id, to 110 Rules derived from the Practice of the Ancient Poets. v. 120 to 138 That therefore the Ancients are necessary to be studyd, by a Critic, particularly Homer and Virgil. v. 140 to 180 Of Licenses, and the use of them by the Ancients.