Ladies, like variegated Tulips, fhow; 41 "Tis to their Changes half their charms we owe; Fine by defect, and delicately weak, Their happy Spots the nice admirer take. As when the touch'd the brink of all we hate. To make a wash, would hardly stew a child; NOTES. VER. 45: III. Contrarieties in the Cunning and Artful. P. VER. 52. As when the touch'd the brink of all we hate.] Her charms confifted in the fingular turn of her vivacity; confe quently, the ftronger the exerted this vivacity, the more forcible was her attraction. But when her vivacity rofe to that height in which it was most attractive, it was upon the brink of Excefs; the point where the delicacy of fenfuality difappears, and all the coarfeness of it ftands expofed. VER. 53. IV. In the Whimsical. P. VER. 57.-in a Chriftian trim.] This is finely expreffed; implying that her very charity was as much an exterior of Reli 60 Why then declare Good-nature is her scorn, very Yet ftill a fad, good Chriftian at her heart. 70 See Sin in State, majestically drunk ; Proud as a Peeress, prouder as a Punk ; Chafte to her Hufband, frank to all befide, A teeming Miftrefs, but a barren Bride. What then? let Blood and Body bear the fault, Her Head's untouch'd, that noble feat of Thought: Such this day's doctrine---in another fit She fins with Poets thro' pure Love of Wit. What has not fir'd her bofom or her brain? Cæfar and Tall-boy, Charles and Charlemaʼne. VARIATIONS. VER. 77. What has not fir'd, &c.] In the MS. NOTES. 75 gion, as the ceremonies of the feafon. It was not even in a Chriftian humour, it was only in a Chriftian trim: not so much as habit, only fashion. VER, 69. V. In the Lewd and Vicious. P. As Helluo, late Dictator of the Feast, Say, what can cause such impotence of mind? 96 With too much Thinking to have common Thought: You purchase Pain with all that Joy can give, And die of nothing but a Rage to live. NOTES. 100 VER. 87. VI. Contrarieties in the Witty and Refined. P. VER.89. Nor afks of God, but of her Stars-Death, that Opiate of the foul !] See Note on Ver. 90. of Ep. to Lord Cobham Turn then from Wits; and look on Simo's Mate, No Afs fo meek, no Afs fo obftinate. Or her, that owns her Faults, but never mends, Because she's honeft, and the best of Friends. Or her, whose life the Church and Scandal share, For ever in a Paffion, or a Pray'r. 106 Or her, who laughs at Hell, but (like her Grace) Cries, "Ah! how charming if there's no such place!" Or who in sweet viciffitude appears Of Mirth and Opium, Ratafie and Tears, But what are these to great Atoffa's mind? 115 Scarce once herfelf, by turns all Womankind! Who, with herself, or others, from her birth Finds all her life one warfare upon earth: NOTES. VER. 107. Or her, who laughs at Hell, bút (like her Grace) Cries, "Ah! how charming if there's no fuch place!"] i. e. Her, who affects to laugh, out of fashion; and strives to difbelieve, out of fear. 120 Shines, in expofing Knaves, and painting Fools, Nor more a storm her Hate than Gratitude: 125 130 To that, each Paffion turns, or foon or late; Love, if it makes her yield, must make her hate: Superiors? death! and Equals? what a curfe! 135 But an Inferior not dependant? worse. Offend her, and she knows not to forgive; Oblige her, and she'll hate you while you live: But die, and she'll adore you---Then the Bust And Temple rife---then fall again to dust. 140 VARIATIONS. After Ver. 122. in the MS. Oppress'd with wealth and wit, abundance fad! |