Happy! ah ten times happy had I been,[486] If Hampton-Court these eyes had never seen! 150 Yet am not I the first mistaken maid, By love of courts to num'rous ills betrayed. Oh had I rather unadmired remained In some lone isle, or distant northern land; Where the gilt chariot never marks the way, 155 Where none learn ombre, none e'er taste bohea! There kept my charms concealed from mortal eye, Like roses, that in deserts bloom and die. What moved my mind with youthful lords to roam? O had I stayed, and said my pray'rs at home! 160 'Twas this the morning omens seemed to tell,[487] Thrice from my trembling hand the patch-box[488] fell; The tott'ring china shook without a wind, Nay, Poll sat mute, and Shock was most unkind! A sylph too warned me of the threats of fate, 165 In mystic visions, now believed too late! See the poor remnants of these slighted hairs! My hands shall rend what ev'n thy rapine spares: These in two sable ringlets taught to break, Once gave new beauties to the snowy neck;[489] 170 The sister-lock now sits uncouth, alone, And in its fellow's fate foresees its own;[490] Uncurled it hangs, the fatal shears demands, And tempts, once more, thy sacrilegious hands. Oh hadst thou, cruel! been content to seize 175 Hairs less in sight, or any hairs but these!" CANTO V.