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THE

RAPE of the LOCK.

ΑΝ

HEROI-COMICAL

POEM.

Written in the Year MDCCXII.

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This Lock the Muse shall consecrate to Fame, And midst the Stars inscribe Belinda's Name....

Rape of the Lock.

то

Mrs. ARABELLA FERMOR.

MADAM,

I

T will be in vain to deny that I have some regard for this piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet you may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good fenfe and good humour enough to laugh not only at their fex's little unguarded follies, but at their own. But as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it foon found its way into the world. An imperfect copy having been offer'd to a Bookfeller, you had the good-nature for my fake to consent to the publication of one more correct: This I was forc'd to, before I had executed half my defign, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to compleat it.

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to fignify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Dæmons are made to act in a Poem: For the ancient Poets are in one refpect like many modern Ladies: let an action be never fo trivial in itfelf, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. Thefe Machines I determin'd to raife on a very new and odd foun→ dation, the Roficrufian doctrine of Spirits.

I know how difagreeable it is to make ufe of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis fo much the concern of a Poet to have his works understood, and particularly by your Sex, that you muft give me leave to explain two or three difficult terms.

The Roficrufians are a people I muft bring you ac

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