Eighteenth-Century Innovations

Canto III

Paul Schacht

September 21, 2026

¶ 1 Close by those meads, for ever crown’d with flow’rs, Leave a comment on line 1 0
¶ 2 Where Thames with pride surveys his rising tow’rs, Leave a comment on line 2 0
¶ 3 There stands a structure of majestic frame, Leave a comment on line 3 0
¶ 4 Which from the neighb’ring Hampton takes its name. Leave a comment on line 4 0
¶ 5 Here Britain’s statesmen oft the fall foredoom Leave a comment on line 5 1
¶ 6 Of foreign Tyrants and of Nymphs at home; Leave a comment on line 6 0
¶ 7 Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey. Leave a comment on line 7 0
¶ 8 Dost sometimes counsel take — and sometimes Tea. Leave a comment on line 8 5

¶ 9 Hither the heroes and the nymphs resort, Leave a comment on line 9 0
¶ 10 To taste awhile the pleasures of a Court; Leave a comment on line 10 0
¶ 11 In various talk th’ instructive hours they past, Leave a comment on line 11 0
¶ 12 Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last; Leave a comment on line 12 0
¶ 13 One speaks the glory of the British Queen, Leave a comment on line 13 0
¶ 14 And one describes a charming Indian screen; Leave a comment on line 14 0
¶ 15 A third interprets motions, looks, and eyes; Leave a comment on line 15 0
¶ 16 At ev’ry word a reputation dies. Leave a comment on line 16 2
¶ 17 Snuff, or the fan, supply each pause of chat, Leave a comment on line 17 0
¶ 18 With singing, laughing, ogling, and all that. Leave a comment on line 18 0

¶ 19 Mean while, declining from the noon of day, Leave a comment on line 19 0
¶ 20 The sun obliquely shoots his burning ray; Leave a comment on line 20 0
¶ 21 The hungry Judges soon the sentence sign, Leave a comment on line 21 0
¶ 22 And wretches hang that jury-men may dine; Leave a comment on line 22 0
¶ 23 The merchant from th’ Exchange returns in peace, Leave a comment on line 23 0
¶ 24 And the long labours of the Toilet cease. Leave a comment on line 24 0
¶ 25 Belinda now, whom thirst of fame invites, Leave a comment on line 25 1
¶ 26 Burns to encounter two advent’rous Knights, Leave a comment on line 26 0
¶ 27 At Ombre singly to decide their doom; Leave a comment on line 27 0
¶ 28 And swells her breast with conquests yet to come. Leave a comment on line 28 0
¶ 29 Straight the three bands prepare in arms to join, Leave a comment on line 29 0
¶ 30 Each band the number of the sacred nine. Leave a comment on line 30 0

¶ 31 Soon as she spreads her hand, th’ aërial guard Leave a comment on line 31 0
¶ 32 Descend, and sit on each important card: Leave a comment on line 32 0
¶ 33 First Ariel perch’d upon a Matadore, Leave a comment on line 33 0
¶ 34 Then each, according to the rank they bore; Leave a comment on line 34 0
¶ 35 For Sylphs, yet mindful of their ancient race, Leave a comment on line 35 0
¶ 36 Are, as when women, wondrous fond of place. Leave a comment on line 36 0
¶ 37 Behold, four Kings in majesty rever’d, Leave a comment on line 37 0
¶ 38 With hoary whiskers and a forky beard; Leave a comment on line 38 0
¶ 39 And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a flow’r, Leave a comment on line 39 0
¶ 40 Th’ expressive emblem of their softer pow’r; Leave a comment on line 40 1
¶ 41 Four Knaves in garbs succinct, a trusty band, Leave a comment on line 41 0
¶ 42 Caps on their heads, and halberts in their hand; Leave a comment on line 42 0
¶ 43 And particolour’d troops, a shining train, Leave a comment on line 43 0
¶ 44 Draw forth to combat on the velvet plain. Leave a comment on line 44 0

¶ 45 The skilful Nymph reviews her force with care: Leave a comment on line 45 0
¶ 46 Let Spades be trumps! she said, and trumps they were. Leave a comment on line 46 0

¶ 47 Now move to war her sable Matadores, Leave a comment on line 47 0
¶ 48 In show like leaders of the swarthy Moors. Leave a comment on line 48 0
¶ 49 Spadillio first, unconquerable Lord! Leave a comment on line 49 0
¶ 50 Led off two captive trumps, and swept the board. Leave a comment on line 50 0
¶ 51 As many more Manillio forc’d to yield, Leave a comment on line 51 0
¶ 52 And march’d a victor from the verdant field. Leave a comment on line 52 0
¶ 53 Him Basto follow’d, but his fate more hard Leave a comment on line 53 0
¶ 54 Gain’d but one trump and one Plebeian card. Leave a comment on line 54 0
¶ 55 With his broad sabre next, a chief in years, Leave a comment on line 55 0
¶ 56 The hoary Majesty of Spades appears, Leave a comment on line 56 0
¶ 57 Puts forth one manly leg, to sight reveal’d, Leave a comment on line 57 0
¶ 58 The rest, his many-colour’d robe conceal’d. Leave a comment on line 58 0
¶ 59 The rebel Knave, who dares his prince engage, Leave a comment on line 59 0
¶ 60 Proves the just victim of his royal rage. Leave a comment on line 60 0
¶ 61 Ev’n mighty Pam, that Kings and Queens o’erthrew Leave a comment on line 61 0
¶ 62 And mow’d down armies in the fights of Lu, Leave a comment on line 62 0
¶ 63 Sad chance of war! now destitute of aid, Leave a comment on line 63 0
¶ 64 Falls undistinguish’d by the victor spade! Leave a comment on line 64 0

¶ 65 Thus far both armies to Belinda yield; Leave a comment on line 65 1
¶ 66 Now to the Baron fate inclines the field. Leave a comment on line 66 0
¶ 67 His warlike Amazon her host invades, Leave a comment on line 67 0
¶ 68 Th’ imperial consort of the crown of Spades. Leave a comment on line 68 1
¶ 69 The Club’s black Tyrant first her victim dy’d, Leave a comment on line 69 0
¶ 70 Spite of his haughty mien, and barb’rous pride: Leave a comment on line 70 0
¶ 71 What boots the regal circle on his head, Leave a comment on line 71 0
¶ 72 His giant limbs, in state unwieldy spread; Leave a comment on line 72 0
¶ 73 That long behind he trails his pompous robe, Leave a comment on line 73 0
¶ 74 And, of all monarchs, only grasps the globe? Leave a comment on line 74 0

¶ 75 The Baron now his Diamonds pours apace; Leave a comment on line 75 1
¶ 76 Th’ embroider’d King who shows but half his face, Leave a comment on line 76 0
¶ 77 And his refulgent Queen, with pow’rs combin’d Leave a comment on line 77 0
¶ 78 Of broken troops an easy conquest find. Leave a comment on line 78 0
¶ 79 Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, in wild disorder seen, Leave a comment on line 79 1
¶ 80 With throngs promiscuous strow the level green. Leave a comment on line 80 0
¶ 81 Thus when dispers’d a routed army runs, Leave a comment on line 81 0
¶ 82 Of Asia’s troops, and Afric’s sable sons, Leave a comment on line 82 0
¶ 83 With like confusion different nations fly, Leave a comment on line 83 0
¶ 84 Of various habit, and of various dye, Leave a comment on line 84 0
¶ 85 The pierc’d battalions dis-united fall, Leave a comment on line 85 0
¶ 86 In heaps on heaps; one fate o’erwhelms them all. Leave a comment on line 86 0

¶ 87 The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts, Leave a comment on line 87 0
¶ 88 And wins (oh shameful chance!) the Queen of Hearts. Leave a comment on line 88 0
¶ 89 At this, the blood the virgin’s cheek forsook, Leave a comment on line 89 0
¶ 90 A livid paleness spreads o’er all her look; Leave a comment on line 90 0
¶ 91 She sees, and trembles at th’ approaching ill, Leave a comment on line 91 0
¶ 92 Just in the jaws of ruin, and Codille. Leave a comment on line 92 0
¶ 93 And now (as oft in some distemper’d State) Leave a comment on line 93 0
¶ 94 On one nice Trick depends the gen’ral fate. Leave a comment on line 94 0
¶ 95 An Ace of Hearts steps forth: The King unseen Leave a comment on line 95 0
¶ 96 Lurk’d in her hand, and mourn’d his captive Queen: Leave a comment on line 96 0
¶ 97 He springs to Vengeance with an eager pace, Leave a comment on line 97 0
¶ 98 And falls like thunder on the prostrate Ace. Leave a comment on line 98 0
¶ 99 The nymph exulting fills with shouts the sky; Leave a comment on line 99 0
¶ 100 The walls, the woods, and long canals reply. Leave a comment on line 100 0

¶ 101 Oh thoughtless mortals! ever blind to fate, Leave a comment on line 101 0
¶ 102 Too soon dejected, and too soon elate. Leave a comment on line 102 1
¶ 103 Sudden, these honours shall be snatch’d away, Leave a comment on line 103 0
¶ 104 And curs’d for ever this victorious day. Leave a comment on line 104 0

¶ 105 For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crown’d, Leave a comment on line 105 0
¶ 106 The berries crackle, and the mill turns round; Leave a comment on line 106 0
¶ 107 On shining Altars of Japan they raise Leave a comment on line 107 0
¶ 108 The silver lamp; the fiery spirits blaze: Leave a comment on line 108 0
¶ 109 From silver spouts the grateful liquors glide, Leave a comment on line 109 0
¶ 110 While China’s earth receives the smoking tide: Leave a comment on line 110 0
¶ 111 At once they gratify their scent and taste, Leave a comment on line 111 0
¶ 112 And frequent cups prolong the rich repast. Leave a comment on line 112 0
¶ 113 Straight hover round the Fair her airy band; Leave a comment on line 113 0
¶ 114 Some, as she sipp’d, the fuming liquor fann’d, Leave a comment on line 114 0
¶ 115 Some o’er her lap their careful plumes display’d, Leave a comment on line 115 0
¶ 116 Trembling, and conscious of the rich brocade. Leave a comment on line 116 0
¶ 117 Coffee, (which makes the politician wise, Leave a comment on line 117 0
¶ 118 And see thro’ all things with his half-shut eyes) Leave a comment on line 118 0
¶ 119 Sent up in vapours to the Baron’s brain Leave a comment on line 119 0
¶ 120 New Stratagems, the radiant Lock to gain. Leave a comment on line 120 0
¶ 121 Ah cease, rash youth! desist ere’t is too late, Leave a comment on line 121 0
¶ 122 Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla’s Fate! Leave a comment on line 122 0
¶ 123 Chang’d to a bird, and sent to flit in air, Leave a comment on line 123 0
¶ 124 She dearly pays for Nisus’ injur’d hair! Leave a comment on line 124 0

¶ 125 But when to mischief mortals bend their will, Leave a comment on line 125 0
¶ 126 How soon they find fit instruments of ill! Leave a comment on line 126 1
¶ 127 Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting grace Leave a comment on line 127 0
¶ 128 A two-edg’d weapon from her shining case: Leave a comment on line 128 2
¶ 129 So Ladies in Romance assist their Knight, Leave a comment on line 129 0
¶ 130 Present the spear, and arm him for the fight. Leave a comment on line 130 0
¶ 131 He takes the gift with rev’rence, and extends Leave a comment on line 131 0
¶ 132 The little engine on his fingers’ ends; Leave a comment on line 132 0
¶ 133 This just behind Belinda’s neck he spread, Leave a comment on line 133 0
¶ 134 As o’er the fragrant steams she bends her head. Leave a comment on line 134 0
¶ 135 Swift to the Lock a thousand Sprites repair, Leave a comment on line 135 0
¶ 136 A thousand wings, by turns, blow back the hair; Leave a comment on line 136 0
¶ 137 And thrice they twitch’d the diamond in her ear; Leave a comment on line 137 0
¶ 138 Thrice she look’d back, and thrice the foe drew near. Leave a comment on line 138 0
¶ 139 Just in that instant, anxious Ariel sought Leave a comment on line 139 0
¶ 140 The close recesses of the Virgin’s thought; Leave a comment on line 140 1
¶ 141 As on the nosegay in her breast reclin’d, Leave a comment on line 141 0
¶ 142 He watch’d th’ Ideas rising in her mind, Leave a comment on line 142 0
¶ 143 Sudden he view’d, in spite of all her art, Leave a comment on line 143 0
¶ 144 An earthly Lover lurking at her heart. Leave a comment on line 144 0
¶ 145 Amaz’d, confus’d, he found his pow’r expir’d, Leave a comment on line 145 0
¶ 146 Resign’d to fate, and with a sigh retir’d. Leave a comment on line 146 0

¶ 147 The Peer now spreads the glitt’ring Forfex wide, Leave a comment on line 147 1
¶ 148 T’ inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide. Leave a comment on line 148 1
¶ 149 Ev’n then, before the fatal engine clos’d, Leave a comment on line 149 0
¶ 150 A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos’d; Leave a comment on line 150 0
¶ 151 Fate urg’d the shears, and cut the Sylph in twain, Leave a comment on line 151 0
¶ 152 (But airy substance soon unites again) Leave a comment on line 152 0
¶ 153 The meeting points the sacred hair dissever Leave a comment on line 153 0
¶ 154 From the fair head, for ever, and for ever! Leave a comment on line 154 0

¶ 155 Then flash’d the living lightning from her eyes, Leave a comment on line 155 1
¶ 156 And screams of horror rend th’ affrighted skies. Leave a comment on line 156 0
¶ 157 Not louder shrieks to pitying heav’n are cast, Leave a comment on line 157 0
¶ 158 When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last; Leave a comment on line 158 2
¶ 159 Or when rich China vessels fall’n from high, Leave a comment on line 159 1
¶ 160 In glitt’ring dust and painted fragments lie! Leave a comment on line 160 0

¶ 161 Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine Leave a comment on line 161 0
¶ 162 (The victor cry’d) the glorious Prize is mine! Leave a comment on line 162 1
¶ 163 While fish in streams, or birds delight in air, Leave a comment on line 163 0
¶ 164 Or in a coach and six the British Fair, Leave a comment on line 164 0
¶ 165 As long as Atalantis shall be read, Leave a comment on line 165 0
¶ 166 Or the small pillow grace a Lady’s bed, Leave a comment on line 166 0
¶ 167 While visits shall be paid on solemn days, Leave a comment on line 167 1
¶ 168 When num’rous wax-lights in bright order blaze, Leave a comment on line 168 0
¶ 169 While nymphs take treats, or assignations give, Leave a comment on line 169 0
¶ 170 So long my honour, name, and praise shall live! Leave a comment on line 170 0
¶ 171 What Time would spare, from Steel receives its date, Leave a comment on line 171 0
¶ 172 And monuments, like men, submit to fate! Leave a comment on line 172 0
¶ 173 Steel could the labour of the Gods destroy, Leave a comment on line 173 0
¶ 174 And strike to dust th’ imperial tow’rs of Troy; Leave a comment on line 174 0
¶ 175 Steel could the works of mortal pride confound, Leave a comment on line 175 0
¶ 176 And hew triumphal arches to the ground. Leave a comment on line 176 0
¶ 177 What wonder then, fair nymph! thy hairs should feel, Leave a comment on line 177 0
¶ 178 The conqu’ring force of unresisted steel? Leave a comment on line 178 1