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 dire offence from amorous causes springs,
What mighty contests rise from trivial things!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare,
  And beauty draws us with a single hair.
  • 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

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

• Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,
  Dost sometimes counsel take — and sometimes tea.
  • Canto III, line 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• "Boast not my fall (he cried), insulting foe!
  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."
  • Canto V, line 97