POEMS OLD AND NEW

Rather than so, ah let me still survive.

And burn in Cupid's flames—but burn alive."

" Restore the lock ! " she cries ; and all around
" Restore the lock ! " the vaulted roofs rebound.
Not fierce Othello in so loud a strain
Roared for the handkerchief that caused his pain.
But see how oft ambitious aims are crossed.
And chiefs contend till all the prize is lost !
The lock, obtained with guilt, and kept with pain,
In every place is sought, but sought in vain : 10

With such a prize no mortal must be blest,
So heaven decrees ! with heaven who can contest ?

But trust the Muse—she saw it upward rise,
Though marked by none but quick, poetic eyes :
(So Rome's great founder to the heavens withdrew,
To Proculus alone confessed in view)
A sudden star, it shot through liquid air,
And drew behind a radiant trail of hair.

ALEXANDER POPE

ON A CERTAIN LADY AT COURT
I KNOW the thing that's most uncommon ;
(Envy be silent and attend !) 20
I know a reasonable woman,
Handsome and witty, yet a friend.
Nor warped by passion, awed by rumour,
Not grave through pride, nor gay through folly,
An equal mixture of good humour,
And sensible soft melancholy.
" Has she no faults then," (envy says,) Sir ?
Yes, she has one, I must aver ;
When all the world conspires to praise her,
The woman's deaf, and does not hear. 30
ALEXANDER POPE
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