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The RAPE of the LOCK.
27
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;
As on the Noſegay in her Breaſt reclin'd,
He watch'd th' Ideas riſing in her Mind,
Sudden he view'd, in ſpite of all her Art,
An Earthly Lover lurking at her Heart.
Amaz'd, confus'd, he found his Pow'r expir'd,
Reſign'd to Fate, and with a Sigh retir'd.
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;
As on the Noſegay in her Breaſt reclin'd,
He watch'd th' Ideas riſing in her Mind,
Sudden he view'd, in ſpite of all her Art,
An Earthly Lover lurking at her Heart.
Amaz'd, confus'd, he found his Pow'r expir'd,
Reſign'd to Fate, and with a Sigh retir'd.
The Peer now ſpreads the glitt'ring Forfex wide,
T'incloſe the Lock, now joins it, to divide.
Ev'n then, before the fatal Engine clos'd,
A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos'd;
Fate urg'd the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain,
([1]But Airy Subſtance ſoon unites again)
The meeting Points that ſacred Hair diſſever
From the fair Head, for ever and for ever!
T'incloſe the Lock, now joins it, to divide.
Ev'n then, before the fatal Engine clos'd,
A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos'd;
Fate urg'd the Sheers, and cut the Sylph in twain,
([1]But Airy Subſtance ſoon unites again)
The meeting Points that ſacred Hair diſſever
From the fair Head, for ever and for ever!
Then
