The Rape of the Lock

"What dire offence from amorous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things!"

"Now lap-dogs give themselves the rousing shake, And sleepless lovers, just at twelve, awake."

"They shift the moving toyshop of their heart."

"This casket India's glowing gems unlocks And all Arabia breathes from yonder box."

"On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore."

"Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike, And, like the sun, they shine on all alike."

"If to her share some female errors fall, Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all."

"Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare, And beauty draws us with a single hair."

"Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay."

"Whether the nymph shall break Diana's law, Or some frail China jar receive a flaw, Or stain her honour, or her new brocade, Forget her prayers, or miss a masquerade."

"Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey, Dost sometimes counsel take — and sometimes tea."

"At every word a reputation dies."

"The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, And wretches hang that jurymen may dine."

"Let spades be trumps! she said, and trumps they were."

"Coffee, which makes the politician wise, And see through all things with his half-shut eyes."

"But when mischief mortals bend their will, How soon they find fit instruments of ill!"

"The meeting points the sacred hair dissever From the fair head, forever, and forever! Then flashed the living lightning from her eyes, And screams of horror rend th' affrighted skies."

"Not louder shrieks to pitying heav'n are cast, When husbands, or when lapdogs, breathe their last."

"Sir Plume, of amber snuff-box justly vain, And the nice conduct of a clouded cane."

"Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul."

"Boast not my fall (he cried), insulting foe! Thou by some other shalt be laid as low; Nor think to die dejects my lofty mind; All that I dread is leaving you behind! Rather than so, ah let me still survive, And burn in Cupid's flames — but burn alive."