The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell/Poem 14

by Thomas Parnell

A TRANSLATION OF PART OF THE FIRST
CANTO OF THE RAPE OF THE LOCK,

INTO LEONINE VERSE, AFTER THE MANNER OF THE ANCIENT
MONKS.

Et nunc dilectum speculum, pro more retectum,
Emicat in mensâ, quæ splendet pyxide densâ.
Tum primum lymphâ se purgat Candida nympha;
Jamque sine mendâ, cœlestis imago videnda,
Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet, ocellos.
Hâc stupet explorans, seu cultûs numen adorans.
Inferior claram Pythonissa apparet ad aram,
Fertque tibi cautè, dicatque superbia! lautè,^[1]

Dona venusta; oris, quæ cunctis, plena Iaboris,
Excerpta explorat, dominamque deamque decorat.
Pyxide devotâ, se pandit hic India tota,
Et tota ex istâ transpirat Arabia cistâ.
Testudo hic flectit, dum se mea Lesbia pectit;
Atque elephas lentè te pectit, Lesbia, dente;
Hunc maculis nôris, nivei jacet ille coloris.
Hic jacet et mundè mundus muliebris abundè;
Spinula resplendens æris longo ordine pendens,
Pulvis suavis odore, et epistola suavis amore.
Induit arma ergo Veneris pulcherrima virgo,
Pulchrior in præsens tempus de tempore crescens;
Jam reparat risus, jam surgit gratia visûs,
Jam promit cultu miracula latentia vultu;^[2]

Pigmina jam miscet, quo plus sua purpura gliscet,
Et geminans bellis splendet magè fulgor ocellis.
Stant Lemures muti, nymphæ intentique saluti,
Hic figit zonam, capiti locat ille coronam,
Hæc manicis formam, plicis dat et altera normam;
Et tibi vel Betty, tibi vel nitidissima Letty!
Gloria factorum temerè conceditur horum.^[3]

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1. PART OF THE FIRST CANTO OF THE RAPE
   OF THE LOCK.
   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 powers.
   A heavenly image in the glass appears,
   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.
2. Unnumber'd treasures ope at once, and here
   The various offerings of the world appear;
   From each she nicely culls with curious toil,
   And decks the goddess with the glittering spoil.
   This casket India's glowing gems unlocks,
   And all Arabia breathes from yonder box.
   The tortoise here and elephant unite,
   Transform'd to combs, the speckled and the white.
   Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
   Puffs, powders, patches, Bibles, billet-doux,
   Now awful beauty puts on all its arms,
   The fair each moment rises in her charms,
   Repairs her smiles, awakens every grace,
3. And calls forth all the wonders of her face;
   Sees by degrees a purer blush arise,
   And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes.
   The busy sylphs surround their darling care;
   These set the head, and those divide the hair,
   Some fold the sleeve, while others plait the gown,
   And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own.