British Enlightenment Poetry - The Rape Of The Lock, Alexander Pope

Question 1

What dire offence from am’rous causes springs, what might contests rise from trivial things, I sing — this verse to Caryl, Muse! Is due:

Answer 1

Pope (narrator)

Question 2

This Day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair That e’er deserv’d a watchful Spirit’s Care; Some dire Disaster, or by Force, or Slight, But what, or where, the Fates have been wrapt in Night. Whether the Nymph shall break Diana’s Law, Or some fail China Jar receive a Flaw, Or stain her Honour, or her new Brocade, Forget her Pray’rs, or miss a Masquerade, Or lose her Heart, or Necklace, at a Ball, Or whether Heav’n has doom’d that Shock must fall.

Answer 2

Pope

Question 3

While thro’ the press enraged Thalestris flies, and scatters death around from both her eyes, a beau and Witling perished in the throng. One dy’d in metaphor, and one in song

Answer 3

Pope

Question 4

Let us (since life can little more supply than just to look about us and to die) exaptiate free o’er all this scene of man; a mighty maze! But not without a plan; laugh where we must, be candid where we can; but vindicate the ways of God to man

Answer 4

Pope

Question 5

Each beast, each insect, happy in its own: is heaven unkind to man, and man alone? Shall he alone, whom rational we call, be pleased with nothing, if not bless’d with all?

Answer 5

Pope

Question 6

All nature is but art, unknown to thee; all chance, direction, which thou canst not see; all discord, harmony, not understood; all partial evil, universal good: and, spite of pride, in erring reason’s spite, one truth is clear, whatever is right.

Answer 6

Pope