The Rape of the Lock

The Rape of the Lock is a mock-heroic narrative poem written by Alexander Pope. One of the most commonly cited examples of high burlesque, it was first published anonymously in Lintot's Miscellaneous Poems and Translations (May 1712) in two cantos (334 lines); a revised edition "Written by Mr. Pope" followed in March 1714 as a five-canto version (794 lines) accompanied by six engravings. Pope boasted that this sold more than three thousand copies in its first four days. The final form of the poem appeared in 1717 with the addition of Clarissa's speech on good humour. The poem was much translated and contributed to the growing popularity of mock-heroic in Europe.

Quotes
What mighty contests rise from trivial things!'''
 * '''What dire offence from amorous causes springs,
 * Canto I, line 1

And sleepless lovers, just at twelve, awake.
 * Now lap-dogs give themselves the rousing shake,
 * Canto I, line 15


 * They shift the moving toyshop of their heart.
 * Canto I, line 100

And all Arabia breathes from yonder box.
 * This casket India's glowing gems unlocks
 * Canto I, line 134

Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore.
 * On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore
 * Canto II, line 7

And, like the sun, they shine on all alike.
 * Bright as the sun, her eyes the gazers strike,
 * Canto II, line 13

Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all.'''
 * '''If to her share some female errors fall,
 * Canto II, line 17

And beauty draws us with a single hair.
 * Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare,
 * Canto II, line 27. Compare: "No cord nor cable can so forcibly draw, or hold so fast, as love can do with a twined thread", Robert Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy, Part iii, Section 2, Membrane 1, Subsection 2.


 * Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay.
 * Canto II, line 52

Or some frail China jar receive a flaw, Or stain her honour, or her new brocade, Forget her prayers, or miss a masquerade.
 * Whether the nymph shall break Diana's law,
 * Canto II, line 105

Dost sometimes counsel take &mdash; and sometimes tea.
 * Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,
 * Canto III, line 7


 * At every word a reputation dies.
 * Canto III, line 16

And wretches hang that jurymen may dine.
 * The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,
 * Canto III, line 21


 * Let spades be trumps! she said, and trumps they were.
 * Canto III, line 46

And see through all things with his half-shut eyes.
 * Coffee, which makes the politician wise,
 * Canto III, line 117

How soon they find fit instruments of ill!
 * But when mischief mortals bend their will,
 * Canto III, line 125

From the fair head, forever, and forever! Then flashed the living lightning from her eyes, And screams of horror rend th' affrighted skies.
 * The meeting points the sacred hair dissever
 * Canto III, line 153

When husbands, or when lapdogs, breathe their last.
 * Not louder shrieks to pitying heav'n are cast,
 * Canto III, line 157

And the nice conduct of a clouded cane.
 * Sir Plume, of amber snuff-box justly vain,
 * Canto IV, line 123

Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.'''
 * '''Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll;
 * Canto V, line 33

Thou by some other shalt be laid as low; Nor think to die dejects my lofty mind; All that I dread is leaving you behind! Rather than so, ah let me still survive, And burn in Cupid's flames — but burn alive."
 * "Boast not my fall (he cried), insulting foe!
 * Canto V, line 97