mmmm-:-^'^^ 
 
 'V^*- .ri 
 
 t^ * ^ 
 
 Hoole 
 Aurelia
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD 
 ENDOWMENT FUND
 
 A U R E L I A; 
 
 O R, 
 
 THE CONTEST: 
 
 AN HER OI. COMIC POEMj 
 
 IN FOUR CANTOS. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF MODERN MANNERS. 
 
 <5UAM MULTA INJ0STA AC PRAVA FIUNT MORIBUS ! 
 
 TER, HEAUT, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. DODSLEY, PALL-MALL, 
 
 M.DCC.LXXXIII,
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 lZlE3.aBh? 
 
 As many Readers may be unacquainted with Azael, 
 the chief Agent in the machinery of the following 
 Poem, a fhort fummary of thofe abfurd rabbinical Fables 
 which relate to that Demon, is here extracted from the 
 Firft Volume of Ancient Univerfal Hiftory. 
 
 It was fuppofed by Jofephus, Philo Juda^us, and fc- 
 veral others, that Angels, before the flood, were ena- 
 moured of women ; but this opinion was chiefly propa- 
 gated by a forgery entitled The Prophecy of Enoch ; 
 which aflTerts, that when men were greatly encreafcd, they 
 had daucrhters of fuch excellent beauty, that the E'rre^o- 
 r'ly or watching angels, fell in love with them, and pro- 
 pofed to one another, that they fhould go down, and at- 
 tach themfelves to the daughters of Ev^c j to which 
 SiiMiAZAS, their prince, agreed, after they had fworn 
 
 that 
 
 85^3 f 5
 
 VI 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 that tliey would not, by receding from their refolution, 
 leave him to bear the guilt alone. They accordingly de- 
 fcendcd on the top of mount Hermon, and in the year of 
 the world one thoufand one hundred and feventy, chofe 
 themfelves wives, to whom they communicated the arts of 
 magic and inchantment. Azalzel, or Azael, one of the 
 princes of thefe ofl-ending angels, taught the working of 
 metals, particularly gold and filvTr, and the methods of 
 fafliioning various ornaments for the women : he alfo in- 
 ftruded them in the preparing of cofmetics, the polifhing 
 of precious flones, and the art of dying. In like manner 
 each of the Egregorl revealed certain pernicious fecrets 
 to his wives and children ; by which means folly and 
 wickednefs prevailed greatly over the earth, and the arch- 
 angels v/ere commanded to bind the princes of thofe tranf- 
 grcffors, and throw them into the Abyfs, there to be 
 kept to the day of judgm^ent. 
 
 Shamhozai, or Semiazas, is faid by Bercfhi Rabba, in 
 his commentary on the lixth chapter of Genefis, to have 
 repented of his crime, and, by way of penance, to have 
 hung himfelf up between heaven and earth, in which 
 poflure he yet remains ; but Azael continuing impe- 
 nitent, ftill prefides over the toilets of women. 
 
 Such is the fliort account of the imaginary Being, 
 which the author of this little piece has employed as 
 
 n the
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. vii 
 
 the Demon of Fafliion. With refped; to the work itfelf lit- 
 tle is to be faid, and indeed an author cannot fay too little 
 of his own performance : yet he begs leave to obferve, 
 that although part of this Poem, which was written fevT- 
 ral years lince, may be faid to refcmblc Pope's moft ex- 
 cellent fatire of the Rape of the Lock, yet it is hoped 
 that it will not be thought a fervile imitation. His 
 fair readers will not, furely, think him guilty of any dlf- 
 refpedl to the fex in general, if he has endeavoured to throw 
 a feeble fhaft of ridicule at fome of the prevailing lollies 
 of our modern fine ladies^ who feem to imagine that they 
 were born for no other end than to drefs and to be ad-- 
 mired. 
 
 The ladies of Britain have too much perfonal beauty 
 to need any affiftance from art, and too much natural un- 
 derflanding to make it necefTary for them to depend on 
 their outward charms alone for admiration and prailc. 
 But the richeft foil, it has often been obfcrvcd, It neglected 
 or ill-managed, will produce the greatefl: abundance oi: 
 weeds, and that mind, which might have been capable 
 of the nobleft exertions, will often, from the bias oi 
 prepofterous education and the contagion of evil example, 
 be fixed on the mofl trifling and abfurd objeds.
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Pao-e 5. 1. 6. ior Poji wai never, read Herald m\r was, 
 
 7. 1. 7. for he, read ^/w. 
 
 48. 1. 10. for beauteous, read lovely. 
 
 53. 1. 10. for modes, read ^d;/>j, 
 68. 1. 3. for toil, read fffr<f. 
 
 CANTO
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 OF Beauty long confined in Folly's chain, 
 Mifled by Fashion and her glittering train, 
 Of evils fpringing from that thirfl: of praife 
 Which fires the youthful dames of modern days, 
 Which taught them all the various arts they know, 
 ^' Brought Drefs into the world, and all our woe," 
 I fino- ; Ye Nine ! the wondcrous tale rehearfe, 
 And lofty adions found in lofty verfe. 
 
 O'er eaftern hills, pale-gleaming from afar, 
 On wings of filver flies the Morning Star ; 
 
 B Xow
 
 [ 2 ] 
 
 Now red-cloak'd faints to taberracle creep. 
 Forget their worldly cares, and fall afleep ; 
 And now, their heads with empty bafkets crown*d, 
 Their garments tatter'd, and their hair unbound, 
 To Billingfgate the black-eyed virgins throng, 
 Whifpering foft murmurs as they march along. 
 
 Kitty, bright handmaid of the brighteft fair 
 That treads the plains, or breathes this fmoaky air^ 
 Had watch'd from clofing eve till riling morn, 
 Impatient watch'd Aurelia's flow return ; 
 Who, tofs'd on Diffipation's refHefs wave. 
 Loft hair the worth that liberal Nature 2;avc : 
 But timorous Kitty was fo fearful grown, 
 No longer could (lie bear to watch alone ; 
 Soon as her miftrefs to the rout repairs, 
 Impatient John afcends the winding flairs ; 
 With him, no more fhe fears nodlurnal fhades. 
 That haunt the dreams of folitary maids. 
 
 His
 
 C 3 ] 
 
 His magic prefence awes th' intruding fpritc, 
 And lays the dreaded goblins of the night. 
 
 Warned by thofe founds that tell the coming day, 
 In hafte fhe fends her guardian faint away ; 
 For now the laft nocturnal pleafurcs ceafc, 
 Now midnight-balls the well-drefs'd crouds rclcafc ; 
 The fair unwilling quit th' illumin'd dome, 
 For O ! what well-bred nymph can relifli home ? 
 Th' attentive damfel, liftening, feems to hear 
 In every found the rolling chariot near : 
 At length quick thunders rend the door the ground 
 Quakes while the fpacious hall repeats the found : 
 Thus, ere fome conquering monarch treads the ftagc, 
 Triumphant founds our liftening ears engage, 
 The glad huzzas, the war-announcing drums, 
 And brazen trumpets tell the hero conies ! 
 Or when great Jupiter inclined to rove, 
 Has left his heavenly for an earthly love, 
 
 B 2 Soon
 
 C 4 ] 
 
 Soon as the God in all his pride returns, '' 
 
 Red lightenings flaili, the glaring ether burns^ 
 
 Loud thunders roll, the heavenly turrets nod, 
 
 And all the ailoniiTi'd powers confefs the God ! 
 
 So darting flambeaus ilafli around the dame. 
 
 And thundering raps her near approach proclaim. 
 
 Now view the Goddefs in her eafy chair, 
 With down-caft eyes, and difcontented air, 
 Carelefs (he lolls, with toil, vi^ith grief opprefs'd, 
 Unmindful of the gauze-befprinkled veft ; 
 The fnowy arm her drooping head fuftains. 
 And thus, with faltering voice,, the nymph complains t 
 
 *^ Why v/as I born with more tranfcendent charms 
 Than thofe which rouz'd the Grecian world to arms ? 
 Why met in me, for fo my lovers fvvore. 
 The arace of D * * * '^, the fenfe of M * * * ? 
 Each morn, new offerings on my toilet fhone, 
 Each morn, new vaflals crouch'd before my throne ; 
 
 For
 
 C 5 ] 
 
 For me, dull cits, O wafte of precious time I 
 
 Forfook arithmetic and ftudied rhyme ;- 
 
 Nay, filken beaus, defponding lovers grown, 
 
 Gaz'd on my charms, forgetful of their own ! 
 
 Aurelia's name to difiant lands was fpread, 
 
 Where yet the Morning Poft was never read ; 
 
 Beyond the tawny nabob's gorgeous throne, 
 
 And far as routs and mafqueradcs are known.- 
 
 And fhall theie many glories lade away, 
 
 Ere yet one dazzling beauty reels decay ? 
 
 O ! rather bear me to the fliades of night, 
 
 Where no bright flambeau darts its envied light ; 
 
 Snatch me, half naked, to the frozen pole, 
 
 Where no dear Sdo ftcals upon the loul, 
 
 ^\'here no foft youths in fliining fattiu move, 
 
 Sigh at our feet, and whifper well-bred love ; 
 
 Whelm me, vv'here Nilus pours his fcven-fold tide, 
 
 Or where black flrcams throuo;h horrid Wapping rlide ; 
 
 Bid me no more my dear Bijou carefs, 
 
 Gf bid me ceafe to live or ceafc to drefs !'" 
 
 '' rcH-bicl
 
 f. 6 ] ^ 
 
 ^' Forbid it heaven !" th' obfervant maid reply 'd, 
 ** Forbid it honour, and forbid it pride ! 
 Shall homage ceafe ere youthful charms decay ? 
 Shall the beau monde^ who view thee day by day, 
 To whom thy beauties life and being give. 
 Forget that by Aurelia's fmiles they live ? 
 Ah ! no when Health forgets her Graham's name, 
 And Katterfelto feels the blufli of fhame, 
 When blooming toafts for rural quiet figh, 
 And gothic fportfmen at an opera die, 
 When faints in crouds to theatres repair, 
 Then fhall the world forget that you are fair !*' 
 
 ^' Alas, my faithful girl !" the Beauty cries, 
 *' No fancied griefs have wak'd thefe heavino; fio;hs. 
 But bafe afFronts, no belle unmov'd can fee ; 
 Another fliares that homao;e due to me ! 
 O may this fatal night through Britain's clime 
 Be mark'd with horror to remoteft time ! 
 
 .^ Let
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 Let no young Vestris on this night appear^ 
 
 No Pacchierotti ftrike the ravifli'd car, 
 
 No Rout, no Dance, no pleafiirc let it iliare, 
 
 Shunn'd by the fwains, and hated by the fair ! 
 
 Florio, the gaudieft of the gaudy train. 
 
 Pert Flavia leads a captive in her chain ; 
 
 Even he, whom nymphs the prince of beaus confefs. 
 
 The iirfl: in beauty, and the iirft in drefs ; 
 
 The Graces join to form his courtly air, 
 
 Diredl his fteps and decorate his hair ; 
 
 His breath more fragrant than Sabean fpice ; 
 
 His teeth proclaim great Hemet's dentifrice ! 
 
 No hardy youth his didlates dare oppofe. 
 
 Or flight the buckle which his tafte has chofc ; 
 
 O ! think what o;rief a Twain like this to hear 
 
 Pouring foft flatt'ry in a rival's ear ; 
 
 Fie prais'd her hcn'}nots and her repartee, 
 
 And fcarccly faid a civil thing to n:e 5 
 
 O ! how my tortur'd heart with anguifli bled, 
 
 To fee him fmile at all the creature kiiJ, 
 
 Thourrh
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
 Though dull as jefts which city wits repeat, 
 Gothic and barbarous as the beef they eat ! 
 lie prais'd her tafte, admir'd her tangled hair, 
 Unlhap'd and hideous as the Ruffian bear, 
 Vile as the tetes that flrike our wondering fight 
 At country boroughs on a race-ball night : 
 How could he ocrle fuch a vulvar fhe ! 
 How could he kneel to any nymph but me ! 
 
 When at the board the rattling dice were heard. 
 And kings and queens in painted pride appear'd, 
 Liftening to hear what beauteous Florio faid, 
 I, thoughtlefs, play'd a heart when fpades were led ; 
 But when I mark'd his love-creating fighs, 
 And heard him fwear he liv'd by Flavia's eyes, 
 Such rage, fuch grief abforb'd my vital powers, 
 As Sunday miffes feel when caught in Inowers, 
 Or traders, when their fbopmen court the mufe, 
 Or fretful bards defam'd by both reviews, 
 Or parents, who the darling child inter. 
 Or modifli dames w^hen mantua-makers err ! 
 
 :v[
 
 [ 9 ] 
 
 My looks, my tears, the fecret conflid tell, 
 Swift from my trembling hand the tea-cup fell ! 
 O ! fee this milk-white fat tin once fo gay, 
 Alas no ftreams can wafh the ftains away ! 
 O ! fee this milk-white fattin once fo fair, 
 This favourite fattin I no more can wear ! 
 But what is fattin ftain'd, the faded flower. 
 Or rumpled gauze, compared to lofs of power ? 
 What further ill can Fortune have in flore, 
 When thus {he bids a beauty reign no more ? 
 To all the town another idol fhows, 
 To give new laws to fubjugated beaus ! 
 
 And yet, methinks, fome joys may fure be found 
 Without this circle's fafcinating round ; 
 At leaft we'll try My proper garb prepare. 
 Awhile we'll quit this mind-enfeebling air, 
 Roam through the woods, or tread the fpangled meadj 
 Forget the toil of drefs, and learn to work and read.'' 
 
 C She
 
 she faid ; and long in motionlefs furprizs 
 Her artful maiden ftands, then thus replies : 
 '' Shalt thoU; nor plagu'd with guardian, aunt, nor fire, 
 Shalt thou, an hcirefs, from the world retire ? 
 Shall Flavia bear the envied palm away ? 
 Rather let all our fex's power decay, 
 Rather let flames confume the folid globe. 
 And carelefs Modish fpoil your fav'rite robe ! 
 
 I know the arts flie labours to difguife, 
 I know whence all her boafted graces rife ; 
 Thofe charms which gain the creature fuch renown^ 
 Are cuird from every quarter of the town ; 
 She buys her beauties at a price immenfe, 
 ]-Ier breath from Warren, and her teeth from Spence ; 
 Each night her face is wrapp'd in grea fy bands. 
 And Chinefe gloves entoid her. arms and hands : 
 li inch a made-up thing can rival thee, 
 Let park canals ftrive with the foaming fea : 
 Let Oxford hacks with Pegafus compare, 
 And Broad St. Giles's vie with Portman Square ! 
 
 But
 
 But did thy charms fuch poor aiTirtancc need, 
 Swift as through Hyde Park friiks the well-taught iVjcd, 
 To Perfia's realms, or Turkey's fhores Td fiv, 
 Where bright fultanas in feraglios ligli ; 
 Where foft cofmetics all their powers afiord, 
 To wake to barbarous love, a barbarous lord ; 
 In fcarch of waflies through the world I'd flray, 
 Or to fome French perfumers wing my way, 
 Where all thofe trcafures of the Eaft they fliow. 
 That Georgian or Circailian beauties know, 
 Dufl for the teeth, and liquids for the neck, 
 Pouclre de Fatjne^ Blanc d\4hi nil deck, 
 llien, O ! my miftrefs, rouze thy latent power. 
 Her triumph is the triumph of an hour ; 
 To-morrow, when the long-expc6lcd ball 
 To yon proud dome the obedient world fliall call. 
 Go forth in all thy pride ; nor go in vain, 
 Dart your quick lightenlngs at this erring fwain, 
 Show that thole charms have far more power to kill 
 Inan Elliot's balls, or Lfake's wide-wafling pill ] 
 
 C 2 By
 
 By heaven ! her fickly charms will fade awajr 
 Like the pale taper at the flambeau's ray : 
 Afiert your claim, difpute the glorious prize, 
 Yours is the triumph, and your rival dies !" 
 
 So fpoke the handmaid ; while the liftening Fair 
 Gaz'd in the mirror with majeftic air ; 
 *' Tell me, dear oracle," flie cry'd, '' O fay. 
 Is Kitty right, or does my bloom decay ? 
 Say, fhall I triumph ftill, or rule no more ?" 
 The well-bred glafs confirms what Kitty fwore t 
 She fees unthought-of beauties rufli to view. 
 Nor could flie doubt the mirror told her true. 
 
 a Kitty," fhe faid, ** this fattin I refigOj 
 This milk-white fattin is no longer mine. 
 Thy words, like martial trumpets heard from far^ 
 Awake my foul, and rouze me to the war. 
 But though in me unequal'd beauties fhine, 
 Though Nature ftamp'd me in a mould divine. 
 
 Yet
 
 E n ] 
 
 Yet ftill for once, as well my Kitty knows 
 Mere natural charms can win no modern beans, 
 For once I'll try thofe arts I ne'er could love, 
 So fliall I then to certain conqueft move ; 
 Nature and Art fhall join my form to deck- 
 Go quickly for fome Blanc of Abiuiteleckr 
 
 So ere the thundering Hero mounts the car 
 "Which bears him through the purple fields of war, 
 Though giant ftrength his active limbs difclofe, 
 Though in his breaft undaunted courage glows. 
 He trufts not folcly to what Nature gives. 
 From Art the warrior equal aid receives ; 
 His finewy arms the keen-edg'd falchion rear, 
 Shake the fwift dart, or grafp the quivering fpear<^ 
 The joining plates his brawny thighs conceal. 
 And every limb is cloath'd in temper'd fteel. 
 
 Meantime fair Kitty's fingers nimbly move. 
 And foon difrobe this fecond queen of love. 
 
 While
 
 [ X4 ] 
 
 While her foft hands unbind the lofty head, 
 O'er the wide chamber clouds of fragrance fpread 5 
 The fcented powders whiten all the floor, 
 Like verdant fields with froll-work filver'd o'er. 
 
 But paufc awhile no more the theme purfue, 
 For hark, her damfel bids the nymph adieu. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST CANTO, 
 
 C A N T O
 
 [ ^5 3 
 
 CANTO ir. 
 
 ERPLEX'D with bufy thought Aurelia lies, 
 While varying fchemes in quick fucceilion rife ; 
 For all her refolution feems to fade 
 When from her fide withdraws th' infpiring maid : 
 Her wavering mind is now difpos'd to yield. 
 And leave her rival miftrefs of the field, 
 When fobcr Reafon fhows how mean the ftrife, 
 How vain the bufinefs of a polilTi'd life ; 
 Then thirft of fvvay, which draws the female foul 
 Refiftlcfs as the needle to the pole, 
 Glows in her heart, and bids her once acrain 
 Renew the contefl, and fecure her reio;n : 
 At length AsAEL, guardian of the fliir. 
 Who makes their toilets his peculiar care, 
 
 5 Preferves
 
 C i6 ] 
 
 Preferves their paint, their powde/s and perfume;., 
 The better angel of the drefling-room, 
 Wav'd o'er her head his all-controlling wand ; 
 Obedient Sleep attends the proud command : 
 Then thrice the demon hurls his fpells in air, 
 Thrice gently breathes upon the {lumbering fair, 
 And, fprinkling clear collyrium on her eyes, 
 Completes the charm, and bids the viflons rife^ 
 
 The ileeping maid her toilet now furveys, 
 Which taper pins, and fparklin^ gems difplays ;; 
 Sudden the gems emit a burning light. 
 The pins fpontaneous rife, and iiand upright, 
 From the blue vafe the confcious ftreams afcend^ 
 And o'er the polifh'd ftand in fountains bend ; 
 The combs and bruTlics from the table bound, 
 The boxes rattle, and the glafs turns round ; 
 She ftarts, fome murmuring noife jfhe feems to hear. 
 And three foft fighs iieal gerltly on her ear.; 
 
 7 Amaz'd
 
 [ X7 ] 
 
 Amaz'd flie fees her cryftal mirror fliow 
 The perfedl image of a dazzling beau, 
 Who, gazing on her charms, with tender air 
 And voice melodious, thus addrefs'd the fair. 
 
 *' O Thou ! the joy of every mortal eye, 
 Bright Nymph, Sultana, Angel, Deity ! 
 A captive being in thy glafs behold, 
 And hear his lips the hidden world unfold ! 
 Firft know, when Death has feiz'd his pallid prey, 
 And drove the fpirit from it's houfe of clay. 
 Still dregs of fin man's airy fubftance (lain, 
 And darling vices in the foul remain : 
 To purge this guilt away great Jove ordains 
 A tedious bondage, or confuming pains : 
 Some, clos'd in ice, beneath the northern fky, 
 Some chain'd in fires, or plung'd in ocean lie ; 
 Some here on earth in various forms remain 
 Faft bound, and wifli a fecond death in vain : 
 
 D TI]
 
 [ i8 3 
 
 The crafty trader in his warehoufe lies, 
 
 Clos'd ill a ponderous bale of merchandize ; 
 
 The fleek churchwarden in a poor's-box lives, 
 
 And fwallows ftill what liberal pity gives ; 
 
 The lawyer, turn'd to parchments, plagues the great. 
 
 Stirs up difl'ention and litigious hate ; 
 
 In golden coins the pinching mifer bound, 
 
 Like C^sAR fhines with regal laurel crown'd ; 
 
 Serjeants, like rods, the mafter's hand employ, 
 
 And fcourge that raw recruit, a truant boy ; 
 
 While fcolds, who once the fhell of Difcord blew, 
 
 Now clos'd in drum-fticks beat the loud tattoo ; 
 
 Bold quacks, whofe noftrums foon our fate decide. 
 
 Harden to pills, or into tindlurcs glide ; 
 
 Drunkards preferv'd in fiery fpirits lie. 
 
 And like rare lizards flrike the wondering eye ; 
 
 Gluttons to foups and oily turtles pafs, 
 
 And the fmooth flatterer fliines a looking-glafs. 
 
 Such once was I, a dan^der to the fair : 
 Still, as a glafs, I praife their drefs, their air ; 
 
 5 I teach
 
 C X9 ] 
 
 I teach them how to make each youth a flave. 
 And heighten every charm which Nature gave ; 
 That wretched maid who ne'er with me was bleft, 
 Muft ftay at home, or go abroad undrefs'd, 
 Ne'er gaze delighted on her blooming face. 
 And mark each riling morn fome novel grace, 
 Ne'er the dear joy of admiration know, 
 Ne'er hear a figh, or view a kneeling beau ! 
 
 While fix'd on earth, o'er all the imprifon'd bands 
 Superior demons wave their ruling wands ; 
 Of us, that near thy fex in bondage lie, 
 The great Azael is the watchful fpy ; 
 He, who of old, as learned rabbins fay, 
 * For Naamah forfook the fields of day : 
 
 * F^r Naamah, &c.'] Naamah, the daughter of Lamech, fuppofed to 
 have invented fpinning and weaving, is tliought by fome authors to have 
 been the wife of Noah, and by others, of Ham , her name fignifies hc\:utifu!y 
 or delightful^ and her perfon is faid by fome Jewifh rabbins to have been lo 
 charming, that two angels, Aza and Azael, or, as he is fomeLimcs called, 
 Azalzel, fell in love witli her, and begat on her demons, called Gedim. 
 
 Antient Univerlal Ilillory, vol. i. p. lOo, 
 
 D 2 Now
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 Now round the fair his guardian wings he fpreads^. 
 And o'er the toilet fragrant odour fheds, 
 In thin pomatums thickening oil he pours. 
 And damag'd rouge to crimfon bloom reftores,, 
 * At his command behold thy flave appear,, 
 And thusj by me, his friendly counfels hear -, 
 O ! let not Reafon's matron voice control 
 The gay emotions of thy polifh'd foul, : 
 
 Think not to quit dear Diffipation's bowers,. 
 And wafte in lonely wilds thy mournful hours, 
 But ftill through flowery paths delighted roam. 
 Nor bear, for one fliort night, to ftay at home ; 
 What though one triumph grace a rival name, 
 A thoufand triumphs have fecur'd thy fame ;. 
 Go on, nor heed though fops unhurt appear, 
 Though envious beauties chafe when thou art near; 
 Fly to the play, the concert, and the ball. 
 Be true to Fashion's laws, and conquer all ! 
 But. O ! bcv/are ! nor let thy fancy ftray 
 From HER, whom every female fliould obey^ 
 
 3 Still
 
 [ 21 ] 
 
 Still let thy foul her ruling power confcfs, 
 
 Great patronefs of arts and mighty queen of drefs !" 
 
 He ceas'd, and graceful bow'd The glafs again 
 Whirled round, and loft at once th' aerial fvvain. 
 But foon again a creaking noife fhe hears, 
 The fhining cafe its verdant cover rears ; 
 Sudden eredl her oval bracelet ftands. 
 The painted figure icems to wave it's hands ; 
 No more it fliews her grandfire's hoary head, 
 Loft are his white hairs and his wrinkles fled, 
 His dufky brown to glowing fcarlet turns, 
 And the bright gorget on his bofom burns ; 
 A blooming youth, without refpedl to age, 
 Ufurps the place where rofe the reverend fage 5 
 His eyes dart love-fick glances ere he fpokc. 
 Then from his ruby lips thefe accents broke.. 
 
 '' Too-beauteous nymph, thy late admirer fjc. 
 Behold his fhade v/ho, living, worhip'd thee ! 
 
 Thou
 
 [ 22 ] 
 
 Thou know'ft how late, by the gay world admir'd, 
 By nobles envied, by the fair delir'd, 
 I flione the foremoft of the glittering train. 
 And fcarcely fu'd one fluttering nymph in vain : 
 I ftole the virgin's giddy heart away, 
 The wife, the widow fell my lovely prey ; 
 The light coquet to me reveal'd her charms. 
 The chiding prude funk, yielding, in my arms ; 
 At length my dazzled eyes your power confefs'd, 
 Four months you reign'd fole idol of my bread. 
 Each art I try'd but Death, unfeeling, hurl'd 
 Th' unerring dart, and fnatch'd me from the world. 
 Alas ! how chang'd the fcene ! no more I rove 
 
 Through fragrant bowers, and flp the fweets of love ; 
 
 Stern Juftice o'er me waves her iron wand, 
 
 And tiiunders in my ears the harfh command ; 
 
 For ages bids me here in bonds remain, 
 
 For ages bids me feel unceaflng pain : 
 
 While you, bright mortal ! breathe this vital air, 
 
 I watch each motion of my darling fair j 
 
 How,
 
 r 23 ] 
 
 Now, in thy locket's narrow cell comprefs'd, 
 1 hang, tormented, on thy heaving breaft, 
 Or, turn'd to duft, in fccnted powders fly, 
 Or wreath'd in circling curls I helplcfs lie ; 
 Now, balls of marbled foap my form furround, 
 And now I pine in filken fillets bound ; 
 Now, o'er thy head, like trembling feathers play, 
 And now in Cedra effence glide away. 
 Whate'er the fhape my tortur'd foul difplays. 
 Still on thy lovely form I fondly gaze ; 
 Still all the pangs of living dotards prove. 
 Still burn with wild defire for ftill I love ! 
 When fpangled lovers at thy feet appear, 
 And whifper tender nonfenfe in thine ear ; 
 With hate and vengeful jealoufy I glow. 
 Watch every look, and curfe the happy beau ! 
 Ye Powers ethereal ! muft I e'er behold 
 A mortal's arms my darling fair enfold ? 
 Gods I let me ne'er that dreadful moment fee ! 
 O I ftill remain a maid ! and pity mc ! 
 
 But
 
 I 24 ] 
 
 But hark ! my bufy demon cries, ' Give o'er 
 Thy vain complaints, and fpeak thy woes no more/- 
 Brief let me be This night forbear to join 
 The nimble band who form th' extended line ; 
 Secure in minuet dignity advance, 
 But fhun the vulgar, heat-creating dance ; 
 And O ! where'er thou go'ft thy bracelet wear. 
 And guard the precious toy with all thy care j 
 For now my fpirit in the frame appears, 
 And through the cryftal feems a fire in years ; 
 That portrait every evil fliall foretell; 
 There fix thy eyes, and mark each feature well. 
 
 But foft methinks I fcent the noon-tide air ; 
 Awake ! thy proud habiliments prepare ; 
 Awake ! thy glimmering taper juft expires. 
 The fun-beams pale its ineficdual fires ; 
 Awake ! to Fashion bow the bended knee. 
 Beware the dance, and O ! remember me !" 
 
 The
 
 [ 25 ] 
 
 The virgin wakes, and gazes round her bed, 
 But finds the tranfitory vifion fled : 
 Awhile her morning cares are caft behind, 
 Awhile the wondrous dream abforbs her mind ; 
 But foon laborious thought fatigues the fair ; 
 A far more pleafing fubje<^ claims her care ; 
 Refplendent robes, dear fource of female joy I 
 Rufh to her view, and all her foul employ ; 
 Now this, now that, pre-eminence obtains. 
 By turns the puce^ by turns the corbeau reigns ; 
 Where all are fair, what power her choice can guide 
 To fix on one, and lay the reft afide I 
 At length on high her fnowy arm fhe rears. 
 The taflel trembles, and the flave appears ; 
 Till Kitty comes Aurelia helplefs lies ; 
 What nymph without th' affifting maid can rife ! 
 Now o'er her head the fpotlefs coat is thrown. 
 And faften'd at her waift, a binding zone ; 
 
 E Then,
 
 [ ?6 ] 
 
 Then, round her clafp'd, a ftrange machine behold, 
 Like the tough corflet worn by knights of old j 
 With ribs of cane and bones of mighty whale^ 
 It ftands eredl, impenetrable mail ! 
 3" wo hollow cavities on either fide 
 Receive her well-turn'd arms ; fmooth bindings hide 
 The fharp-edg'd bone ; behind an hundred eyes 
 Appear, through which the bright tag nimbly flies ; 
 Her damfel ftrains the cord with all her might, 
 At length the corflet's ftubborn fldes unite. 
 Then o'er the fair is thrown a fnowy veft, 
 Which veils the beauties of her fwelling bread, 
 With azure ribband at her wrift is bound, . 
 And, negligently falling, fweeps the ground ; 
 Such the thin robe of Gallia's fmiling train. 
 Who proudly name it Chemife de la Reifie. 
 
 While Kitty's hands the rifing nymph adorn, 
 She tells the wonderous vifion of the morn ; 
 The fervient maiden heard with patient ear. 
 Then thus began, like the prophetic feer. 
 
 (C 
 
 To
 
 [ 27 ] 
 
 ^' To me, long fince, were figns and wonders fliown, 
 To me, long fince, myfterious rites were known ; 
 An aged beldam of th*^ Egyptian band, 
 Vers'd in the noble fcience of the hand, 
 Who diftant good or evil could relate, m 
 
 The great high-prieftefs of all-ruling Fate, 
 Would oft, to me, her prefcient lore impart, 
 And teach the fecrets of her powerful art ; 
 With her I ftrove to mark the branching line, 
 And hence the virgin's future loves divine ; 
 To whirl the cup, and in the dregs explain 
 The coming billet-doux, the kneeling fwain ; 
 But, more than all, it was my conftant theme 
 T' explore the fecrets of the morning dream. 
 
 When airy forms our flecping thoughts engage, 
 Approaching joy and triumph they prefage ; 
 The portrait that ufurp'd thy grandfire's place. 
 Gazing enamour'd on thy beauteous face, 
 Portends that Florio foon, like him, fhall prove 
 The reftlefs vidlim of confuming love ; 
 
 E 2 And
 
 [ 28 ] 
 
 The fuffering fpirit ft ill from day to day 
 
 Clos'd in thy ornaments in bondage lay, 
 
 Hence learn, for thee new conquefts are ordain'd. 
 
 And fee new vaflals in thy fetters chain'd ! 
 
 IPhe dangler, to a mirror turn'd, may fhow 
 
 Florio fhall foon a fecond mirror grow ; 
 
 For as the glafs wherein you daily gaze, 
 
 Refledls your fmiles, and every grace difplays. 
 
 So fliall the living youth your image wear, 
 
 And point you out, the faireft of the fair ; 
 
 His praife, the glafs to make your charms more known. 
 
 The glafs^ to fliew you to th' admiring town," 
 
 She faid The beauty heard with wild delight ^ 
 Fir'd by the feer, fhe burn'd to meet the fight 
 " Bid Charles at evening, to the varnifh'd car 
 Yoke the white fteeds to bear me to the war : 
 And hear, my Kitty, fwift as eagles move, 
 Prepare the mighty fpells that waken love j 
 
 Let
 
 [ 29 ] 
 
 Let paints and powders, wafhes and perfume, 
 Spread all around and fill the fcented room : 
 But firft, ere yet I haften to be drefs'd. 
 Join this fair tucker to my gorgeous vefl:. 
 And let fome trufty flave with fpeed repair 
 To call the great artificer of hair." 
 
 Th' obedient damfel hears the dread command, 
 The fhining needle arms her adlive hand, 
 Now here, now there the flender weapon flies. 
 And now it feems to fall, and now to rife : 
 Not fwifter, as immortal poets tell, 
 Jove's ancient blackfmith thundcr'd in his cell. 
 When, by the prayers of fmiling Venus won, 
 He forg'd bright armour for her warrior fon : 
 The hoarfe chief calls, the fwelling bellows blows. 
 The fierce fire blazes, the bright iron glows, 
 The grim flaves pant, the ponderous hammers fly. 
 Now founding fall, and now are rais'd on high I 
 
 So
 
 C 30 ] 
 
 So toils the maid with equal fpeed and pains, 
 And foon the lace is bound in (ilken chains. 
 
 Now frowning Night up-rear'd her matron head 
 In Heaven's dim vault, gay Sol affrighted fled ; 
 Now feud through crowded ftreets the oily band, 
 Halt at each door, and lift the flaming brand ; 
 Now howling wolves, impatient for their prey, 
 From fnow-clad mountains take their murtherous way ; 
 The rambling veftal to the Strand repairs. 
 And chaunts her liren fong, and fpreads her wily fnares. 
 When bright Aurelia mounts her lofty chair, 
 Cloath'd in loofe robes, unbound her fpreading hair ; 
 On either flde the hallow'd feat behold 
 Two trembling tapers, rais'd on fl:ands of gold : 
 She gives the word her maidens uflier in 
 A {lately figure, fallow, tall, and thin ; 
 Array'd in whiten'd garments, like the fwain 
 Who grinds to duft the farinaceous grain ; 
 
 6 Thrice
 
 C 31 ] 
 
 Thrice low he bends, then, drawing near the fair, 
 He fhakes a downy puff with graceful air. 
 Long, blue-ftain'd irons from his rough attire 
 He draws, and gives them to the glowing fire : 
 While this white pontiff's hands aloft are fpread, 
 In folemn pomp to elevate the head, 
 Two fpotlefs virgins of the fervient band, 
 Clofc by the fhrine in awful filence ftand ; 
 One, puffs and Marechalle powder lifts on high, 
 And gives foft ointment to the deity ; 
 One ready ftands thin, forked wires to bend, 
 Stain'd o'er with black, and fharp at either end. 
 And bears thofe inftruments of fpecial note, 
 Form'd of clear horn, or of the tortoife' coat, 
 Smooth, fpeckled teeth their polifh'd points difclofe, 
 Some wide extend, fome meet in clofer rows. 
 
 Her golden treffcs, wreath'd in ftubborn pride. 
 Now form three hollow tubes on either fide ; 
 Low down her back a monftrous bag defcends, 
 Where fccnted greafe with fcented powder blends ; 
 
 Thick
 
 [ 32 3 
 
 Thick and more thick the clouds of fragrance roll, 
 And brown and yellow duft o'erfliades the whole ; 
 At length, the labour of fucceflive hours. 
 In form complete the finifli'd wonder tow'rs. 
 Th' impatient virgin to the mirror flies, 
 
 And marks each ftraggling hair with fearching eyes ; 
 
 A damfel then the glittering forfex rears, 
 
 Each ftraggling hair as quickly difappears. 
 
 Meantime, with fecret care, her watchful maid 
 
 Art's choiceft treafure on the toilet laid ; 
 
 Here blufli'd the red, there flione the liquid blue, 
 
 The milk of rofes, and Olympian dew ; 
 
 Soon her foft cheek with brighter crimfon glows. 
 
 And white more dazzling on her bofom grows ; 
 
 Where the fmooth paint obfcures the branching veins 
 
 Fler fteady hand with tint cerulean ftains. 
 
 At length, complete the beauties of her face, 
 
 The nymph prepares her flender limbs to grace : 
 
 Firft to her waifl: a vaft machine is bound, 
 
 Which fpreads its bending arms to reach the ground ; 
 
 Like
 
 [ 33 ] 
 
 Like that fam'd arch, the gay Venetian's pride, 
 Which o'er the flood extends from fide to fide ; 
 On this wide curve the fhining coat behold, 
 The filver trembles, burns the yellow gold ; 
 Bright foils, far dreaming, dart their vi/id rays, 
 Here glow like emeralds, there like rubies blaze :, 
 The varied ftraws in rich feftoons are hung. 
 And filken tafTels dance the folds among. 
 
 Now on a lofty ftool fair Kitty ftands. 
 And fpreads the head-drefs with uplifted hands ; 
 Aloft the white tiara rofe, behind 
 The flcnder lappets kifs the wanton wind ; 
 Amidft her hair the well-plac'd brilliants play, 
 Like pointed ftars, and form a milky way ; 
 Fligh above all the fpotted plumes are fpread. 
 Wave their foft tops, and tremble o'er her head. 
 
 The glofly fittin faflcns at her breaft. 
 Smooth finds of pearl coniine the meeting vcft ; 
 Her train majeflic fwecps along the floor, 
 Like the proud robe wliich ancient monarchs VvOre : 
 
 F A rich
 
 [ 34 3 
 
 A rich bouquet above her bofom rofe, 
 
 An hundred gems the mimic flov/ers compofe. 
 
 The bracelets next her {lender v/rifts enfold. 
 The chains of orient pearl, the elafis of j^old ; 
 While, Pcr.rr'd with India's gems, in fplendid pride 
 The bripht repeater trembles at her lide. 
 
 And hift (he fcizes in her fnowy hand. 
 Her ivory fan, the enlign of command ; 
 On the rich mount, w^here ftarry fpangles blaze. 
 Soft forms arife and tales of ancient days ; 
 Here youthful P/iRis, with Pariifian air, 
 Prefents the pippin to the curt'fying fliir ; 
 O'er diflant feas from diftant climes it came^ 
 To give dominion to the beauteous dame ; 
 Where'er this weapon points, a lover falls, 
 The death of foplings and the dread of balls ! 
 
 And now the fnorting fteeds are heard from far, 
 O'er the firm pavement bounds the modern car ; 
 
 7 The
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 The yellow fpokcs like rays of glory ftrcam, 
 The rolling circles dart a filvcry gleam ; 
 Rais'd o'er the bending perch, on filvcr fprings, 
 From fide to lide the varnifh'd body fwings, 
 Which, like a mirror, every obj'_6l fii ovvs, 
 Burns with the fun, or with the flambeau glows ; 
 On the fmooth furfiice blazon'd trophies rife, 
 And myftic paintings ftrike the gazer's eyes ; 
 Thron'd on a cloud, that almoft fecms to move, 
 Here in proud pomp appears the Queen of love ; 
 Before her, hand in hand, the Graces fly. 
 And little Loves hang fluttering in the fky ; 
 Cupid, adventurous boy, with fmiling face 
 Beftrides the Monarch of the favage race, 
 With daring heel he fpurs his fliaggy fides, 
 And, with a touch, the roaring monfter guides : 
 O'er thefe, in bending wreatlis foft rofes twine. 
 And round the border mimic jewels fiiine. 
 A lofty feat the charioteer fuflains, 
 Ered he tov/crs and fliakcs the ftudded reins ; 
 
 F 2 Beneath
 
 r 36 ] 
 
 Beneath him fpreads the cloth of yellow dye, 
 The varied fringe hangs trembling from on high : 
 His fteedsj impatient, paw the flinty ground, 
 Tofs their proud heads and throw the foam around ; 
 ^oft-beaming crefcents on their foreheads play,. 
 And down their fides the yellow taffcls ftray ;; 
 While filver'd trappings bind them to the car^ 
 Refle6l the light and glitter from afar. 
 
 The Goddefs enters in majeftic pride 
 Her chaperone is feated by her fide ; 
 The livery'd vaffals at one acflive bound 
 Vault up behind ; the couriers fpurn the ground. 
 They fnort, they rear ; the flambeaus round her play. 
 Tinge the red ftreets and lighten all the way,. 
 
 So glaring meteors ftrike the dazzled eye,. 
 Blaze as they move, and feem to fire the fky, 
 
 ND OF THE SECOND CANTO, 
 
 A N T O
 
 C 37 ] 
 
 CANTO IIL 
 
 ^X 7 HERE the dry'd produce of the grafiy plain 
 
 Lies pil'd in truffes on the creaking wain. 
 Rude in its outward form, there ffcands a dome 
 Known to the quavering fons of modern Rome ; 
 Here Dissipation wears the regal crown, 
 And rules the fluttering infects of the town. 
 
 Here all her priefts in gaudy trappings wait. 
 And ftrive with pompous rites t' allure the great ; 
 Now with heart-melting founds they woo the throng, 
 Touch the foft ftrings or pour the fwelling fong ; 
 Now bid Le PiCQ^or Theodore advance 
 In all the graces of the Gallic dance ; 
 And now, with love-devoted mafks, they hide 
 Th' impatient virgin and the roving bride. 
 
 To
 
 [ 38 ] 
 
 To this proud temple modern peers repair 
 To fhevv their tafte in drefs, and charm the fair, 
 And here, the pleafure-loving beauty flies 
 To fee new conquefts and new fafhions rife ; 
 By thefe abforb'd, the muflc of the fpheres 
 Would fcarcely charm their inattentive ears, 
 Though oft on thrilling drains they feem to doat. 
 And melt in exftacy at every note. 
 
 This brilliant night a gay Ridotto calls 
 The race of idlers to thefe gilded walls. 
 The world was met there fhone th' expecting fair, 
 There Flavia fmifd, and Florio fparkled there ; 
 Gauze, flowers and gems o'erfpread the female train, 
 And flraWj lit emblem of a crazy brain. 
 AuRELiA enters; ftrait the buzzing crowd 
 Declare her name, and fpeak her charms aloud ; 
 All fcem to feel her pov/er, v/h<:ri:'er Ine turns 
 A rival envies and a ]over burns. 
 
 Infolrinn; 
 
 i. o
 
 r 39 3 
 
 Infpiring mufic founds a youth of France 
 Leads the bright nv.iid to the flow- moving dance ; 
 Around, in circles, pr; Is t-T adiniriiir^ thronp". 
 While, with mnijflic ii.i\ ine (jliues alonGf. 
 As wlien immoit;il Vks. ris ik i- the fcage, 
 Joy of each heart, delight oi youtn and age! 
 On bouyant air his floating arms are fpread, 
 The feathers, graceful, dance upon his head, 
 Now rais'd he" ftan Is, with confcious merit big, 
 And now twirls fwiitlv like the fchool-bov's eiil ; 
 He vaults, then paufes on his riling toe, 
 To the loud tranfport ot the pit below : 
 The nymiph in heedlefs rapture breaks her fan. 
 And every tonciue proclaims him more than man \ 
 Thus on the hiir all rarks, all ages gaze, 
 And ev'n unleeling lopiiiigs wliiipcr praife ! 
 
 Say, all-obferviiig M.iie ! tJ:eir names recite. 
 Who fell her vicliins that deriruc'i'/e nigrht ! 
 Fir ft, young Mil kino, wijuir. maternal care 
 Rear'd in the rural fhaJes of Grofvenor Souare ;
 
 [ 40 ] 
 
 Now here an early fate the ftripling found, 
 The nymph's firft curt'fy gave the fecret wound 1 
 Then, as llie pafs'd, fhe (liot a random dart 
 That picrc'd accomplirn'd Zephyr to the heart; 
 La Violetts, and jjentle Rose-dew fell, 
 Tulip the gay, and wcli-drefs'd Falladel. 
 Lords and Red Ribbons felt the fpreading flame, 
 And Knights and Colonels of inferior name ; 
 Ev'n Florio, kindlino; with the foft alarms. 
 Forgot his Paris fuit, and Flavia's charms ; 
 Aurelia's brighter tints vidorious prove, 
 For ioon he loves as much as bcaus can love ! 
 
 While for this Q-oddefs fighs each courtly fwain, 
 The flio-hted belles beg-in th' accuftom'd ftrain : 
 One fpeaks her age, but doubles evci-y year, 
 And wonders whence fuch youthful. charms appear ; 
 The liflening friend looks wife and fhakes her head. 
 Then whifpers where flie buys her white and red. 
 So when a troop of authors grace the pit. 
 To weigh the merits of a brother wit, 
 
 2 If
 
 C 41 ] 
 
 If loud applaufe the generous town beftovv, 
 With angry fkill each latent fault they fhovv ; 
 They pine and fret at every happy ftroke, 
 And grow more grave with each fucccfsful joke. 
 
 Now found the livelier notes ; from end to end 
 The nymphs and fwains in one long line extend : 
 Acconiplifh'd Florio takes Aurelia's hand, 
 And leads th' exulting maid to join the frolic band. 
 Sudden the bracelet prefs'd her arm amaz'd, 
 On the rich toy the fearful virgin gaz'd ; 
 The painted figure feems to roll his eyes, 
 The lips convulfive move, the colour flies ; 
 She ftarts appall'd fhe dreads fome dire mifchance, 
 And thrice, with faltering voice, declines the dance ; 
 The youth, in founds no female can withfland, 
 Perfuades, entreats, and takes her yielding hand ; 
 His honied words the wavering fair regain. 
 And render dreams and figns and warnings vain ! 
 Then through the maze with adive bound they fpring, 
 The firm floor trembles, the high ceilings ring ; 
 
 G Nov,
 
 [ 42 ] 
 
 Now here, now there, the crowded ranks divide, 
 Now backward move, now change from fide to fide. 
 Now through the midft they wing their eager way, 
 And following nov/ in fair proceflion ftray. 
 Now in a mimic crofs they beat the ground, 
 And now like circling eddies whirl around. 
 
 But Flavia, when fhe fees her fwain advance, 
 And lead the conquering beauty through the dance^ 
 Springs from her feat, rage fparkling in her eyes, 
 Breaks through the prefs, and to the chariot flies : 
 Thus when fome ravening tyger of the wood 
 Has feiz'd the fawn and fmear'd his fangs with bloody 
 If, while he drags along th' expelled prey. 
 The haughty lion chance to crofs his way. 
 Both, growling, halt the carcafe they furround^ 
 Extend their claws, and tear the folid ground ;, 
 With horrid yells the mighty war they wage. 
 Their eye-balls flaming with unfated rage ; 
 Black blood deforms the grafs, the hills the vales 
 Refound ; at length fuperior force prevails ^ 
 
 The
 
 [ 43 ] 
 
 The fpotted beaft refigns th' untafted prize, 
 And bleeding to the diftant thicket flies. 
 
 But while the young delighted feud along, 
 The peaceful matrons round the fide-boards throng ; 
 Here in clear glafles quivering jellies play, 
 There candied fruits are pil'd in bright array, 
 Streams of fherbet from filver vafes glide, 
 And fweet orgeat pours forth its milky tide, 
 Here Weltjie's cates, in various forms, entice, 
 Smooth comfits, acid drops, and creams of ice. 
 
 AuRELiA now, o'ercome with toil and heat, 
 Forfakes the dance, and feeks the neighbouring feat ; 
 But while fhe moves along with languid air, 
 The ladies fneer, the youths too rudely- flare ; 
 A fecret whifper circles through the crowd, 
 Some fmile, fome, more uncivil, laugh aloud ; 
 Ev'n polifh'd Florio, lefs attentive grown, 
 Leads to her feat, then leaves the nymph alone : 
 *' What can this mean ? perhaps fomc curl," flic faid^ 
 " Loos'd from the wire, too negligent has ftray'd T' 
 
 G 2 The
 
 [ 44 3 
 
 The pocket-mirror from her hoop fhe draws. 
 And anxious feeks the unfufpeded caiif:^ ; 
 O hideous light ! a yellow circle ftains 
 Her ivory forehead and her azure veins, 
 Shook from her hair, the loofe duft falling down^. 
 Turns the pure lilies to a dufky brown ; 
 Warm dewy drops o'er all her features ftray, 
 And mark with varied hues their devious way. 
 Here fnowy ftreams with meeting blue unite, 
 There blulhing pink ufurps the place of white ; 
 Amaz'd, confus'd, the trembling beauty ftands. 
 The mirror falls, all fhatter'd, from her hands. 
 Her blood, no longer warm, forgets to play, 
 She hangs her head, and fickening faints away : 
 But foon young Zephyr flew to raife the fair, 
 Unfurl'd the fan, and wak'd reviving air. 
 AzAEi, whom the Fates forbad to aid, 
 Or warn in clearer terms, th' ill-fated maid, 
 Now on his founding pinions mounts on high. 
 Shoots through the roof and cleaves the yielding fky ; 
 
 O'er
 
 [ 45 ] 
 
 O'er hills, o'er feas, th' impatient demon flew, 
 
 Till Paris' gaudy towers appear in view ; 
 
 High above all proud Fashion*s temple ftands, 
 
 Wide as the domes of Jove, tho' built by mortal hands. 
 
 An hundred fpacious courts Azael pad:. 
 And reach'd the hall magnificent and vaft : 
 Great Fashion here, in regal pomp, behold. 
 Two grinning apes fupport her throne of gold, 
 Which, rifing on a pivot, veers about. 
 And fliifts by turns to all the circling rout. 
 Her party-colour'd veftments feem to glow 
 With every gem the mines of India know ; 
 Like rays of glory, o'er her facred head, 
 A radiant bow in changing colours fpread. 
 High in the midft th' imperial altar ftands. 
 And round in circles prefs th' adoring bands, 
 Knights, foldiers, peers, and all the female train. 
 Dames of Verfaillcs, and nymphs of Drury-lane : 
 Obfcrvant courtiers near the fovereign v/ait. 
 And, by her fide, the minifters of ftate j 
 
 Here
 
 [ 46 ] 
 
 Here Pride, with frqwning brows and fcowling eyes, 
 
 Springs from mean earth and feems to reach the flcies ; 
 
 Ke bears a fcroU where all his merits fhine, 
 
 And all th' achievements of his glorious line : 
 
 Here Folly flands in gaudy colours drefs'd, 
 
 And gold and diamonds fparkle on her breaft ; 
 
 Now loud fhe laughs and plays with wanton grace, 
 
 Then checks her fmiles and wears a graver face : 
 
 Laft, tho* not leaft, fair Vanity appears, 
 
 Her better hand a fhining mirror bears, 
 
 Which fhows more charms than e'er her perfon knew, 
 
 But fcorns to bring her blemifhes to view ; 
 
 In this fhe every moment cafts her eyes, 
 
 And every moment fees frefh beauties rife. 
 
 The demon preffing through the gaping crowd, 
 Draws near the throne, and thus exclaims aloud. 
 '^ O Thou ! by milliners and taylors blefs'd, 
 By great pradition^rs in hair confefsM ! 
 Sei v'd by the young, of high and low degree, 
 Of belles the great, the only Deity ! 
 
 That
 
 C 47 ] 
 
 That wretch becomes, who dares to flight thy rules, 
 
 The jeft of witlings, and the fcofF of fools, 
 
 No merits raife him, and no wreath adorns, 
 
 His fiiends avoid him, and his miftrefs fcorns ! 
 
 You give the ador more than half his fame. 
 
 Your breath can raife or fink the poet's name ; 
 
 If you command ***** fliall be read. 
 
 And Pope with ruftics hide his laurell'd head. 
 
 You turn the ftream of wealth where'er you will ; 
 
 You grant phyficians liberty to kill, 
 
 Or give the beauty equal power to move. 
 
 And bid dukes, earls, and barons die with love. 
 
 AuRELiA, faireft of the Britifli fair, 
 Now yields her heart a prey to dumb defpair ; 
 She fees her hopes by dire misfortune crofl. 
 And half her fame for beauty nearly loft 1 
 A tribe of artifts late have crofs'd the fea, 
 Who boaft of hetters Patent given by thee, 
 Bafe quack perfumers ! who will taint thy fame, 
 And plunder thofe that venerate thy name I 
 
 i^or
 
 [ 48 ] 
 
 For though, perhaps, thy hand and feal they bought. 
 
 Their fpecious drugs perform not what they ought ; 
 
 Their paftes the flighteft motion will difplace. 
 
 Unfit to fpread on any Chriftian face ! 
 
 From thefe, too fure, the faithlefs compound came^ 
 
 Which wrought fuch evil to the beauteous dame. 
 
 Still at thy fhrine was feen the pious maid^ 
 
 To thee, each morn, her earlieft vows were paid ; 
 
 Then, O ! in pity, grant Azael's prayer, 
 
 And make thy beauteous votary all thy care ; 
 
 Wipe off the ftigma that each envious belle 
 
 Now haftes with eager extafy to tell ; 
 
 Elfe fliall the brighteft nymph thy power difown, 
 
 Apoftate turn, and bow at Reafon's throne. 
 
 O ! grant, great Deity ! fome magic hue, 
 
 Some milk immortal or celeftial dew, 
 
 Vv^hich no rude hand, no warmth can e'er remove, 
 
 Soft and bewitching as the glow of love ; 
 
 So fliall AuRELiA ftill her power maintain. 
 
 And lead from rout to rout the captive train ; 
 
 3 
 
 So
 
 C 49 ] 
 
 So fliall thy crowded courts new votaries fee, 
 For all her worfhippers fhall Worfliip thee !" 
 
 He ceas*d with fmiles the favouring Goddefs hears, 
 Her golden fceptre to the roof fhe rears, 
 When lo ! a tribe defcend, whofe garb exhales 
 A richer fragrance than Arabian gales ; 
 High o'er their heads a waving banner flies, 
 Where civet-cats in mimic colours rife : 
 A fllver flill two menial vafTals bear, 
 The tribe furround it, and their charms prepare ; 
 One, in the veflel milky jefs'mine throws, 
 And fllver fnow-drops ; one, the full-blown rofe, 
 * Pluck'd by a virgin for a powerful fpell 
 As from the fteeple tolFd the midnight bell, 
 On that fam'd eve when many a village lafs 
 f Through the dim porch fees future fpedlres pafs. 
 
 Or, 
 
 * Pluck'd by a virgin for a powerful fpell^'] Perhaps the reader need not be 
 informed that it is a common cuilom with country girls to picl^ a full-blown 
 rofe on Midfummer-eve, exadly as the clock flrikes twelve, which, being kept 
 unfeen till Chriftmas day, is then to be taken out of the bofom by the dcilined 
 Hufband. 
 
 t Through the dim porch fees future fpellres pafs,] It is likewife believed, 
 
 h' '^'''
 
 [ so ] 
 
 Or, trembling, marks the youth fhe loves the beffi 
 * Stalk to the fire^ and turn her fnov/y veft s 
 Then in the riiing fteam they gently throw 
 The little finger of a fcented beau, 
 A glow-worm's tail, the lynx's radiant eye, 
 Tlie gilded wings of every painted fly ; 
 O'er thefe gay Folly fheds a fhower of dew 
 Caught from a thoufand blooms of various hue,, 
 While fmiling Vanity's impatient hand 
 Stirs the mix'd compound with an ivory wandj 
 And Pride advancing with demeanour fage 
 
 Dips in the fuming ftew his proving gage ; 
 Then, from the tap, a glafly vafe they fill. 
 And the (laves vanifh with the wondrous ftilL 
 The Goddefs now her fceptre waves again, 
 Lo ! from her footftool rife a female train ; 
 A tv/o-edg'd fteel, whofe m.eeting points unite. 
 Hangs at their iide, as polifh'd filver bright ; 
 
 that thoT' vvb.o have the courage to fit all night in the cirjrch porch, will fee the 
 ri^'-drs of ..11 the paiifhioners glide into the church, wi^o are to die the following 
 year. 
 
 * Strlk to th; fire^ and turn her fnowy vejl :'\ The ceremony of hanging a 
 fnift to the lire, to be turned by the future hufband, is well j^nown. 
 
 2 One,
 
 [ 51 ] 
 
 One, in her lap, a filken book difplays 
 
 On whofe red leaves, thin, long-eyed weapons blaze, 
 
 And one a taper yard majeftic rears. 
 
 While round her neck the milk-white thread appears ^ 
 
 Each arms her finger with a brazen fhield, 
 
 And each prepares a flender fpear to wield. 
 
 The work begins ; the yielding wire they bend, 
 
 O'er this the crape and floating gauze extend, 
 
 With filken chains the fine-wrought lace they bind, 
 
 Which meets in graceful pufFs or waves behind ; 
 
 One with light hand the ftraw-wove ribband fpreads, 
 
 One with wide forfex clips th' exuberant threads ; 
 
 While mid ft the fiiowy head-drefs fccm to grow 
 
 Such flowers as fancy paints on Flora's brow. 
 
 At length, v/ith niceft care, the artifts place 
 
 Their finifli'd labour in a fheltring cafe, 
 
 Lin'd with romances and poetic ftrains, 
 
 And tender billet-doux from tender fwains ; 
 
 Then lay it humbly at their fovcrcign's feet, 
 
 Thrice lowly bend and modeftly retreat. 
 
 H 2 When
 
 [ 52 ] 
 
 When thus the Goddefs " Hafte, Azael, bear 
 The gifts of Fashion to the forrowing fair: 
 This beauty-giving liquid Iball beftow 
 More lafling bloom than earthly compounds know ; 
 And let this gay Tiara grace her head, 
 The breath of magic blanch'd each myftic thread, 
 This every eve fome varying form fhall take 
 And change with every mode." The Goddefs fpake 
 The Sprite with joy receives the precious load, 
 Bows to the throne and quits the bright abode. 
 
 END OF THE THIRD CANTO. 
 
 C A N 1 O
 
 [ S3 ] 
 
 CANTO IV, 
 
 ^^^ WOMAN ! lovely as the dawn of day ! 
 
 Soft as the downy breaft of verdant May ! 
 Bright as the golden fun in cloudlefs fkies ! 
 Life of the gay and folace of the wife ! 
 O5 why muft Folly half your powers impair, 
 And Art corrupt what Nature made fo fair ? 
 
 Ere Fashion fpread her peftilential band 
 Through every cranny of the Britifh land. 
 Ere country ladies quite difcarded fenfe. 
 And MODES flew down with every Diligencey 
 There was a time when Woman fcorn'd difguife. 
 When maids v/ere innocent, and matrons wife ; 
 When undrefs'd hair was no difgrace to youth, 
 And ladies' maids could venture to fpeak trutli ; 
 
 i^ When
 
 [ 54 ] 
 
 When married dames were uniformly nice, 
 And lov*d their hulbands more than drefs or dice ; 
 But now, all ranks the garb of Folly wear, 
 All ages now the reigning frenzy fhare ! 
 
 While great Azaet,, like the God of day, 
 Breaks through furrounding clouds his daring way. 
 At diftance from the bufy fcene convcy'd. 
 Her car receives the melancholy maid ; 
 Through the dim ftreet the beaming carriage flies. 
 Swift as Aurora's wain o'er kindling fkies ; 
 At length the fteeds ftop fhort the nymph defcends. 
 Her faithful vaflal in the hall attends ; 
 Up the wide flairs with penfive ftep {lie moves^ 
 Her arm fupported by the maid fhe loves^ 
 Difccrning maid ! for foon Aurelia's woe 
 She marks, and bids her ready forrows How; 
 With mutual fighs the veftments are unbound, 
 And all the pomp, unheeded, ftrews the ground^ 
 Little they fpoke, for grief, too-mighty, wrung 
 The fwclling heart, and falter'd on the tongue ; 
 
 At
 
 [ 55 ] 
 
 At lengdi, her tafk pcrform'd, the damfel goes 
 To find in homelier fheets ferene repofc. 
 
 but while in folitude the mourner lies, 
 Difcordant paiTions in her bofom rife ; 
 A thoufand times, with facrilegious rage. 
 She calls for veno;eance on the mio-htv Taffc, 
 Whofe long laborious toil and patient care, 
 Thofe arts reveal'd fo ufeful to the fair, 
 Which bid wan cheeks with fudden rofes grow, 
 And fpread o'er fwarthy necks unfpotted fnow : 
 Nay, ftrange to tell ! fhe meditates to fly 
 From all the joys that beauties prize fo high, 
 To give drefs, pomp and folly to the wind, 
 Negledl her perfon and improve her mind ! 
 At length a fprite, in robes of poppy dreft. 
 Lights on her brow, and gently lulls to reft. 
 
 And now in dreams her fvvift-wing'd fancy rove* 
 To foft-defcending vales and rifing groves ; 
 Around her wanton fport the dappled deer, 
 And woodland mufic breaks upon her ear ,: 
 
 Erio;hl
 
 [ 56 ] 
 
 Bright fets the glowing fun, his ruddy beams 
 
 Fringe the red trees with gold, and dance upon the ftreams. 
 
 A fpotlefs doe, the fairefl: of the breed, 
 Springs from the brake and feuds along the mead, 
 A tribe of lovers on her fteps attend. 
 Mount the fmooth hill or down the flope defcend ; 
 Now, fwoln with pride, fhe meditates the way 
 T' encreafe her beauty and enlarge her fway. 
 With yellow marie the honours of her head 
 She fmears, and all their fhining polifh fled ; 
 The bleeding bark fhe peels, a gummy tide 
 Streams from the wound to fcent her milky hide ; 
 Then to the chalky pit fhe bends her flight. 
 And daubs her filver coat with borrow'd white ; 
 Now, with exulting bound, fhe feeks again 
 Her wonted pafture and fubmiflive. train ; 
 Eut, ah ! with mute furprize and fcorn they gaze, 
 Then turn regardiefs and at diftance graze. 
 
 And now before the virgin's mental eyes, 
 
 An arch of mafiy fllver feems to rife ; 
 
 Twelve
 
 [ 57 ] 
 
 Twelve lofty pillars bear its fplendid weight, 
 
 On either fide appears an ivory gate, 
 
 Around the freeze foft flowers in many a fold 
 
 Twine carelefs, the bright cornice flames with gold ; 
 
 High on the top a fmiling Goddefs fhone, 
 
 A fingle ruby blaz'd her burning throne ; 
 
 Her vefl: emits a many-colour'd ray, 
 
 And waving flames around her temples play ; 
 
 Th' attractive crown a polifli'd magnet fhines ; 
 
 A zone of radiant ftars her waift entwines ; 
 
 And now fhe waves her robe, eredl fhe ftands, 
 
 And wide, with graceful air, extends her hands ; 
 
 Then thus, while round her mellow pipes rejoice, 
 
 And Doric flutes accompany her voice. 
 
 '' Daughters of Earth, who crowd the plain below, 
 Whofe beating hearts for Admiration glow. 
 Appear, behold her ready to attend, 
 And crown deferving w^orth ; appear, afcend !" 
 
 I Switt
 
 C 5? ] 
 
 Swift at the found unnumber'd bands are feen, 
 Roll through the arch and fpread o'er all the green 5. 
 As when the ftripling, whofe full hands proclaim 
 A prefent from the fond maternal dame. 
 Stands on the turf and calls Iiis youthful mates: 
 To fhare the blufiiing fruit and candied cates^ 
 They run, they fly, all ages round him croud^^ 
 Extend their hands and fupplicate aloud ; 
 So, o'er the trampled grafs, the females fpeed, 
 And young and old run ftruggling for the meed ; 
 Some throng the gates, but there th' impatient train 
 All pent together motionlefs remain ^ 
 Some fix high ladders to the fllining wall^. 
 Mount in the air, then, giddy, headlong fall ; 
 Or while with lifted eye fome fair afcends, 
 The ladder yields, overthrown by female friendso. 
 As diftant from the prefs Aurelia ftands, 
 A form ethereal feems to grafp her hands ; 
 A flattering mirror at her fide fhe bears, 
 And o'er her face a fmiling vizard wears ; 
 
 3 .Why
 
 [ 59 ] 
 
 ** Why docs the brighteft beauty of the plain," 
 
 She cries, '' on yonder fabric gaze in vain ? 
 
 Draw near ; to many a fair one have I fhown 
 
 A fecret path to Admiration's throne; 
 
 Through that I'll guide thee now." A fleecy clovid 
 
 Receives and bears them o'er the bufy crowd; 
 
 A mafTy pillar now the airy guide 
 
 Strikes, the firm bafe obedient opens wide ; 
 
 They mount the narrow flairs ; at length on high 
 
 Th' exulting nymph beholds the Deity^ 
 
 She fprings to gain the prize, th' extended crown 
 
 She grafps when, lo, precipitating down 
 
 Headlong flie falls. A gloomy vault receives 
 
 The flumbering maid, who fcarcely thinks fhe lives ; 
 
 The cloflng roof rejedls the cheerful day, 
 
 One crevice only flioots a feeble ray ; 
 
 On the dank floor unfightly reptiles crawl, 
 
 And flimy tracks deform the rocky wall ; 
 
 Maflx:s of ice, in many a hideous form. 
 
 Glare pendent, through rough arches howls the jftorm ; 
 
 I 2 O'er
 
 [ 6o 3 
 
 O'er beds of hemlock creeps a muddy ftream^^ 
 
 Which, boiling up, emits a fulphurous fleam- :- 
 
 In filent agony Aurelia lies, 
 
 And, trembling, lifts her heaven-imploring eyes j 
 
 Sudden quick-burfting thunders break the cave 
 
 Nods the blue lightning flafhes on the wave ; 
 
 A rufhing whirlwind fweeps along the ground, 
 
 Curls the black pool and heaves it o'er the mound ;: 
 
 The pond'rous roofs crack with the mighty fhock 
 
 The ice in fhivers flies from the rent rock 
 
 An azure cloud defcends in circling fpires, 
 
 Soft as the ray that clothes th' angelic choirs ; 
 
 The curling volumes in the midfl: divide. 
 
 And roll in fleecy folds on either fide ;^ 
 
 Bcrieatli the lucid arch, in robes of gold j 
 
 A youth appears of more than mortal mouldy 
 
 His yellow treflTcs o'er his fhoulders ftray, 
 
 Kifs the loofe wind and negligently play ; 
 
 His icet like filver gleam, a taper wand 
 
 Of adamant fuftains his better hand; 
 
 n 
 
 O'er
 
 [ 6i ] 
 
 O'er his fair temples wreathing myrtles twine, 
 And all around him beaming glories fliine : 
 The fcene is chang'd, the caverns melt in air, 
 Her well-known roofs rife flowly round the fair ; 
 Then thus the Genius. *^ Nymph, difmifs thy fear, 
 No evil can approach while I am near. 
 Behold the Guardian Power whofe fecret Iway 
 The wifer females of the world obey ; 
 I bid them eaft each woman-toy behind, 
 And raife to nobler views th' afpiring mind ; 
 'Twas I that gave to Dudley's beauteous wife, 
 Whom Mary's cruel hand depriv'd of life, 
 A nobler fortitude than heroes reach. 
 And virtue, greater than the fagcs teach, 
 Sweetnefs of foul beyond what mortals fliow. 
 And piety like that which feraphs know. 
 And now, in modern days, though rare to fee. 
 Behold accomplifli'd beauty led by me, 
 Streatfield, the Icarn'd, the gay, in blooming year 
 Forfakes the dance to dry a widow's tears :
 
 C 62 } 
 
 when hoary Age her Tutor's brows o'erfpread, 
 And Sicknefs bow'd his venerable head. 
 O'er the pale couch {he hung with filial care, 
 And pluck'd the thorn Difeafe had planted there. 
 
 My voice infpires the cultivated mind, : 
 Whofe pollfh'd page inftrudls and charms mankind ; 
 'Twas I directed Carter* s piercing eyes 
 To roll inquifitive through ftarry fkies ; 
 To her the lore of Grecian fchools I brought, 
 And rooted in her heart the truths fhe taught. 
 I, to Chapone, th' important tafk aflign'd 
 To fmooth the temper and improve the mind. 
 Through More I pointed to the paths of truth. 
 And rais'd her voice to guide unthinking youth ; 
 That fenfibility, allied to Heaven, 
 That facred pen he boafts, by me were given. 
 I flood, a favouring mufe, at Burney's fide, 
 To lafh unfeeling Wealth and ftubborn Pride, 
 Soft Affectation , infolently vain, 
 And wild Extravagance with all her fweeping train ; 
 
 Led
 
 t &3 I 
 
 Led her that modern Hydra to engage. 
 
 And point a Harrell to a mad'ning age : 
 
 Then bade the moralift, admir'd and prais'd, 
 
 Fly from the loud applaufe her talent rais'd. 
 
 Ev*n Montagu my aiding hand mufi: own, 
 
 That plac'd her high on Learning's polifh'd throne. 
 
 That taught her arm the critic fpear to wield, 
 
 Foil'd the fly Gaul and drove him from the field; 
 
 I bade her liberal care receive, carefs 
 
 That ftruggling merit which the proud deprefs, 
 
 That bafhful want, which^ bending to the grave> 
 
 Shrinks from the pitying hand held out to fave- 
 
 Nor think that fhe alone my aid acquires, 
 Whom Learning tutors or whom Genius fires. 
 On all the fmile of favour I beftow. 
 Who fly from fafhion, vanity and fhow. 
 
 Young as thou art, by cuftom led aflray. 
 The pride of beauty and the thirfl of fway,. 
 Yet have I feen thee wxary at a treat. 
 And fcorn a worthlefs vifcount at thy feet ; 
 
 Yet
 
 [ 64 ] 
 
 Yet have I mark'd the blufli of virtuous fliaine, 
 And honeft anger kindling into flame, 
 When lifter virgins mock'd the orphan's cry, 
 And hagged Envy breath'd the venom'd He : 
 No porter fpurns the trader from thy door, 
 Nor does thy hall difdain the fuppliant poor ; 
 Nay, ev'n thy rooms of ftate will fometimes fee 
 A fhabby coat obtain accefs to thee t^ 
 For tho' around thee Folly fpreads her net, 
 She has not quite deftroy'd thy virtue yet. 
 Thy mind indulgent Nature formed to glow 
 For nobler conquefts than an empty beau. 
 For higher flights of fkill than cards can reach, 
 And greater fcience than the dice can teach, 
 For arts more ufeful than to raife the lay, 
 Strike the foft keys, and warble life away. 
 Or down the dance with graceful eafe to elide. 
 Or check a pimple and a freckle hide. 
 But modiili fchools thy early youth mifled. 
 And foon accomp/ijhments quite turn'd thy head ; 
 
 S Thy
 
 [ 65 ] 
 
 Thy father loft, no guardian to controul, 
 
 The madnefs of the times ftill warp'd thy foul, 
 
 Still grew, fuftain'd by Flatt'ry's fcrvile tools. 
 
 Smooth confidantes, dear friends, and fa{liion;ib!c fooh, 
 
 AzAEL too, the tempter of thy for, 
 Whofe early arts their dawning minds perplex, 
 Ufurp'd thy heart, and made each effort vain 
 To break from Diffipation's filken chain : 
 That rage of admiration, worft of foes 
 Which Virtue combats or which Reafon knows ! 
 Which, once indulg'd, pervades each ftage of life, 
 Maddens the maid, the widow, and the wife, 
 And, like a torrent, fcorning all controul, 
 Breaks every mound and fweeps o'er all the foul ! 
 With that deftrudlive rage thy breaft he hr'd, 
 And daily ftrengthcn'd what he firfl: infpir'd ! 
 
 Long haft thou known the care, the toil, th.c ftrifc, 
 That crouds the road oi fafliionable Hie ; 
 Late haft thou found what fiiamc may wait the maici 
 Who calls too raflily on cofmetic aid ; 
 
 K Nov,
 
 [ 66 ] 
 
 Now learn that fpccious art will ever prove 
 A oc to beauty, and a foe to, love.'* 
 
 He faid, and ftrait his opening robes reveal 
 Wide o'er his breali a plate of palifli'd fteel ; 
 On whofe fmooth face Aurelia calls her eyes,. 
 And v/ondering fees a gorgeous chamber rife ; 
 The toilet firft, in all its pomp array'd. 
 True to her fe.Y,, attracts the fleeping maid ; 
 Tranfparent gauze enrich'd with fpots of goldj. 
 Hangs round the glafs in many a ftudied fold ;.. 
 Clofe by its fide another mirror lies. 
 Which fwells each feature to gigantic fize,,. 
 And fhev/s what fpecks diminutive dilgrace. 
 What coming pimples threat the beauteous face.;. 
 Two marbled volumes on the toilet lay. 
 Their ilender backs with golden letters gay, 
 V/hlcii v/ords like thefe reveal in fpreading pride^ 
 T/:e Maficr-picce of Art^ and Beauty s Guide ; 
 Loofe manufcript receipts around them lie 
 To bid v/art?, ring-worms, fcurf, and morphews die : 
 
 Here,
 
 [ 67 J 
 
 Here, in array, the whole cofmetic band, 
 Face-papers, waHi-balls, creams and tinclures ftand, 
 Sultana water, the Circafiian glow, 
 And the foft bloom of Ninon de i/Enclos. 
 Now to the bed the virgin turns her eyes, 
 Where, ftreteh'd in dirty pomp, a female licb ; 
 Around her head a circling bandage twin'd, 
 Tied with white cords and fix'd with pins behind, 
 One clotted lump of hair beneath remained, 
 Stiff with hard greafe, and all the pillow ftain'd ; 
 Her thick complexion, like the flream that laves 
 The clay-bound foil when rains difturb the wnvcs, 
 Look'd dark and muddy ; on her hand flic wore 
 A glov^e, which feem'd too often vvorn before. 
 " Behold," the Genius cried, *' a modifli dame, 
 Whofe bofom panted for ignoble fame. 
 The fame of beauty ; dill intent to win 
 By outward charms, the nobler part within 
 She priz'd, as fivage tribes tli' unpolifii'd i^'olJ., 
 When beads and elafs their dazzled eves hch(;ld ; 
 
 K 2
 
 [ 68 ] 
 
 Tho' Nature gave her many a blooming grace,. 
 
 The ftore of Art was ranfack'd for her face ; 
 
 Now mark the fruit of all her toil and pains,. 
 
 A fillow hag at thirty fhe remains. 
 
 Unable to forego the daily taflc, 
 
 And fiicw her well-knov/n face without her rnafk* 
 
 But now behold a dame of artlefs life. 
 Of equal years, a mother and a wife.."' 
 Soon as he fpoke, the mimic mirror fhows; 
 A fair-one hufh'd in undifturb'd repofe ; 
 On the plain toilet, with no trophies gay,. 
 Chapone's inftrudive volume open lay ; 
 Low o'er her forehead, white as Lapland fnow,. 
 Ller auburn locks in fweet diforder flow, 
 Nature's foft hands th' untortur'd curls adjuft, 
 Unftain'd with perfum'd greafe and coloured dufl; 
 On her foft cheek the blufli of morning glows,.^ 
 Her ruby lip reveals two pearly rows, 
 Her bofom, half uncovered, brings to view 
 
 Such tints as Titian's pencil never knew; 
 
 While
 
 [ 69 ] 
 
 While every fpeaklng feature feeins to fliine 
 With peace ferene, and purity divine. 
 
 '' Obferve this winning form," the Genius cried, 
 '^ No barbarous arts the charms of Nature hide ; 
 Her rouge, the glow which health will ever bring, 
 Her fole cofmetic, water from the fpring : 
 Though Time, at lafl:, each mortal grace devours, 
 Long fhall die bloom 'midft Beauty's faircft flower?. 
 And when December's hand fliall tear away 
 The youthful rofe of flower-awakening May, 
 Yet ftill a fainter hue her cheek fliall grace^ 
 And paler lilies bloflbm on her face 
 Far from the reigning models prepoflerous rules, 
 She leaves the flraw to lunatics and fools ; 
 And gives, to each attradive feature blind, 
 The morning hours to decorate her mind. 
 Belov'd and honoured by the man fhe chofe, 
 No wafting cares difturb her fweet rcpofe ; 
 While, from the child of Art and flave of Pridc^ 
 Her flck'ning lord difgufted turns afide,, 
 
 t-uriinr:
 
 [ 70 3 
 
 Curfing the folly which his youth milled 
 To take a painted puppet to his bed. 
 
 Then learn, miftaken maid, no more to reach 
 Thofe arts v/hich Vanity and Folly teach, 
 Vv'hich wither youth with premature decay, 
 Awake contempt, and poifon health away ; 
 And O ! regard not from this happy hour, 
 Ev'n real beauty's perilnable flower ^ 
 Regard no more the pleafures of the great, 
 The pride of female drefs, the pomp of fiate, 
 For nobler pleafures let thy bofom burn. 
 If not to Fame at leaft to Virtue turn ; 
 For, tho' Vv^ith harmlefs fports fhe feem t' entice, 
 The life of Fashion is the life of Vice ; 
 Turn then to me, in my ftrong arm confide, 
 A firm protedor and unerring guide." 
 
 AuRELiA heard fubmifllve, thrice flie bow'd 
 Kcr head, and tluis addrefs'd the Power aloud. 
 '^ Aid and accept, confirm my w^avering foul, 
 And rule my life with abfolute controul !" 
 
 3 '' Mine
 
 [ 71 ] 
 
 ** Mine then thou art," the Genius cried, '' refign 
 Each lingering vanity, be ever mine ! 
 AzAEL comes from Fashion's gaudy fane 
 To prove thy ftrength ; may all his arts be vain ! 
 Now let this magic adamant impart 
 Its fteeling virtue to thy feeble heart ; 
 O ! {hould'ft thou now his profFer'd gifts defpife. 
 From thee for ever the deceiver flies." 
 Then with his wand he gently touch'd the fair, 
 And mix'd infenflbly with fluid air. 
 
 When now Azael from the fky defcends, 
 And o'er his favourite charge delighted bends ; 
 But firft a bafc difguifc the wary fprite 
 Ailumcs, to veil his form from mortal light ; 
 His better hand fvvect efience fecms to bear, 
 And eyebrow rofes in his left appear. 
 
 Then thus, *^ O, Lady, let thy forrows ceafc, 
 Behold I come to cahn thy foul to peace ! 
 The faircfl kingdom of the fmiling earth, 
 Thrice happy Gallia, gave thy vaflTal birth ; 
 
 Tlicrc.
 
 C 72 ] 
 
 There, where the arts in full perfedllon (hine, 
 Jn early youth I made the greateft mine ; 
 The greateft art cofmetics to prepare. 
 And bid the faireft nymph appear more fair ; 
 My perfumes to the poles have fpread my fame, 
 And all the world has heard Encensoir's name I 
 
 Behold this wafli ! more delicately white, 
 More foft, than Luna's filver-beaming light ! 
 A bloom like this not Helen's felf could fhow, 
 When pleas'd flie rode behind the Trojan Beau ; 
 Such lilies far-fam'd Ninon never faw, 
 Who gave to fubjecl France decifive law ; 
 So fweet, fo lovely, fo divine a hue, 
 Ancient or modern beauties never knew ! 
 
 To thee my greateft labour I reiign, 
 This wafh, ineftimable v/afti ! is thine I 
 Then mourn, thrice-honour'd lady, mourn no more, 
 This fhall thy charms, thy fame, thy power reftorc : 
 Nor fhall this liquid tranfient beauties lend. 
 Like that v/hich bafe pretenders dare to vend. 
 
 And
 
 C 73 ] 
 
 And fee, thou favour*d nymph, with rapture fee 
 A prize more worth than gold referv'd for thee, 
 This bright Tiara" '' Hence !" Aurelia cries, 
 *' Thy arts I fcorn, and all thy gifts defpife ! 
 I know thee foe to virtue, fenfe and truth, 
 Demon of evil, poifoner of my youth ! 
 Hence ! taint my foul no more !" The virgin faid, 
 A rufhing whirlwind fhook the lofty bed, 
 A gathering vapour fwam before her eyes. 
 From which a form gigantic feem'd to rife, 
 Acrofs a variegated cloud he ftrode. 
 And look'd the ftately ruin of a God ; 
 His powder'd locks that fiU'd the circling air 
 With rich perfume, were deck'd with fludied care ; 
 Rouge ftain'd his hollow cheeks ; his pinions, gay 
 With ftarry eyes, upon his fhoulders play ; 
 A painted wand, the fymbol of command, 
 Glow'd with falfe gems and trembled in his hand ; 
 His robes, like fhining glafs, behind him glide, 
 And wave incefiant as the reftlefs tide. 
 
 L " Ungrateful
 
 C 74 ] 
 
 '^* UnpTnteful maid ! unworthy of my care !" 
 The chang'd Azael cried, " but, yet beware I 
 Yet orxe airain refledl ! too well I know 
 1 hy foul is warp'd by my detefted foe ! 
 What, wilt thou quit this joy-infpiring town. 
 And clianc:;e thy tiffues for a linen sfown ? 
 
 toy JD 
 
 What v/ilt thou quit this foul-enchanting life, 
 And turn fome pedant's, dull, pains- takwg wife ? 
 Think once ngain, for on this fateful hour 
 Depends"^* Avaunt," fhc cries, '^ I fcorn thy power !'* 
 
 '' Away, my fpirits, from this ruin'd maid 
 Away ! Ihe proudly fpurns my guardian aid !" 
 He faid, a fccond earthquake rocks the floor ; 
 Thrice on its hinges fprings the heaving door : 
 From every caflcet curling volumes rife, 
 The toilet falls,, her glafs in fplinters flies : 
 ^' For ever," cries the Sprite, '' from thee I fly;,, 
 And hcTC reflgn thee to thy new ally ; 
 To ill-m.ade caps and unbecoming looks. 
 To country curates and religious books \ 
 
 Got
 
 I 75 ] 
 
 Go! loft AuRELiA, hide thy wretched head, 
 
 For all thy glories, all thy joys arc fled ! 
 
 To fome lone country manfion wing thy way, 
 
 Where blafted yews obfcure the face of day, 
 
 There learn to candy fruits, and mix with boors, 
 
 More barbarous far than Vandals, Cits, or Moors ! 
 
 Or feek a foreign grave, fome convent's cell, 
 
 Where marble faints with meltinor linners dwell : 
 
 where captive maids their fatal vow deplore. 
 
 And ligh for pleafures they muft know no more ! 
 
 There count thy beads, and breathe th' unwilling praj'cr, 
 
 r^orget thy joys, forget thy triumphs there. 
 
 No more fhalt thou dear tales of fcandal hear, 
 
 No more fliall tender flatt'ry footh thy ear. 
 
 No more fliall thoufands tremble at thy frown. 
 
 No more thy fmiles enliven all the town ; 
 
 Thy conqucfts now to happier belles refign, 
 
 Rcmorfe and black defpair be ever thine." 
 
 lie faid then frowning fpreads his Ipottcd wing?^, 
 
 And through the yawning roof in claps oi thunder fprings. 
 
 L 2 AURELIA
 
 C 76 ] 
 
 AuRELiA ftarts and wakes fhe gazes round. 
 And fees, unmov'd, her toilet on the ground ! 
 Sees, unconcern'd, the ruin'd, glittering mafs ! 
 And all her pride feems broken with her glafs ! 
 Then thus, '' Blefs'd Spirit ! by the wife obey'd^ 
 Who late from folly call'd an erring maid, 
 Hear me renounce the mind-debafing ftrife. 
 And fwear no more to mix in modifh life !" 
 
 She fpoke a voice melodious ftrikes her ear. 
 Sweet as the dulcet lute '* That Power fhall hear f 
 1 am that w^arning voice, which ftill fliall guide 
 Thy wavering ftcps, and o'er thy life prefide ^ 
 I am that voice, which late in robes of gold 
 Thy fancy cloath'd, and form'd in human mould,. 
 But ne'er to mortals was my fhape pourtray'd. 
 Though many a nymph has heard me and obey'd. 
 The fauntering coxcombs of the prefent day. 
 Sedately dull or impudently gay,. 
 Their beft employment fawning to advancey 
 And lifp foft nothings in the phrafe of France, 
 
 6 Thci^
 
 [ 77 ] 
 
 Thefe it were vain to counfcl or entice, 
 
 Correal in folly, regular in vice ! 
 
 But you, ye Fair, I ftill muft hope to win, 
 
 And rouze the latent fcnfc that flccps within ; 
 
 O ! could you break through Fafhion's monftrous rules, 
 
 And fcorn the gaudy flattery of fools, 
 
 Far nobler conquefts would your virtues gain, 
 
 And Worth and Wifdom mix in Beauty's traixn.'* 
 
 F I N I S.
 
 Lately fubUp^edy 
 
 THE SECOND EDITION, 
 
 MODERN MANNERS^or, The Country Coufins, 
 in a Scries of Poetical Epiftles. 
 
 Alfoy fpeedily will In' pubUficd, 
 Tranflated from the Italian by John Hoole, 
 
 1. ORLANDO FURIOSO, by Arioflo, in Five 
 Volumes, Od:avo, with Notes. 
 
 2. JERUSALEM DELIVERED, by Tallb, in Two 
 Volumes, Odavo, with Notes -, the Fifth Edition,
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 I 
 
 JUL161985 
 
 THE LIBRAKT 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CWnOtimK 
 
 UyS ANGKLES
 
 -PR HoQi e - 
 
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