Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/199

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OF PARNELL.

71

A TRANSLATION OF PART OF THE FIRST
CANTO OF THE RAPE OF THE LOCK,

INTO LEONINE VERSE, AFTER THE MANNER OF THE ANCIENT
MONKS.

Et nunc dilectum speculum, pro more retectum,
Emicat in mensâ, quæ splendet pyxide densâ.
Tum primum lymphâ se purgat Candida nympha;
Jamque sine mendâ, cœlestis imago videnda,
Nuda caput, bellos retinet, regit, implet, ocellos.
Hâc stupet explorans, seu cultûs numen adorans.
Inferior claram Pythonissa apparet ad aram,
Fertque tibi cautè, dicatque superbia! lautè,^[1]

↑ PART OF THE FIRST CANTO OF THE RAPE
OF THE LOCK.
And now unveil'd the toilet stands display'd,
Each silver vase in mystic order laid.
First, rob'd in white, the nymph intent adores,
With head uncover'd, the cosmetic powers.
A heavenly image in the glass appears,
To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears:
Th' inferior priestess, at her altar's side,
Trembling, begins the sacred rites of pride.

[1] PART OF THE FIRST CANTO OF THE RAPE
OF THE LOCK.
And now unveil'd the toilet stands display'd,
Each silver vase in mystic order laid.
First, rob'd in white, the nymph intent adores,
With head uncover'd, the cosmetic powers.
A heavenly image in the glass appears,
To that she bends, to that her eyes she rears:
Th' inferior priestess, at her altar's side,
Trembling, begins the sacred rites of pride.

[1]