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The RAPE of the LOCK.
For this your Locks in Paper-Durance bound,
For this with tort'ring Irons wreath'd around?
For this with Fillets ſtrain'd your tender Head,
And bravely bore the double Loads of Lead?
Gods! ſhall the Raviſher diſplay your Hair,
While the Fops envy, and the Ladies ſtare!
Honour forbid! at whoſe unrival'd Shrine
Eaſe, Pleaſure, Virtue, All, our Sex reſign.
Methinks already I your Tears ſurvey,
Already hear the horrid things they ſay,
Already ſee you a degraded Toaſt,
And all your Honour in a Whiſper loſt!
How ſhall I, then, your helpleſs Fame defend?
'Twill then be Infamy to ſeem your Friend!
And ſhall this Prize, th' ineſtimable Prize,
Expos'd thro' Cryſtal to the gazing Eyes,
And heighten'd by the Diamond's circling Rays,
On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze?
Sooner ſhall Graſs in Hide-Park Circus grow,
And Wits take Lodgings in the Sound of Bow;
For this with tort'ring Irons wreath'd around?
For this with Fillets ſtrain'd your tender Head,
And bravely bore the double Loads of Lead?
Gods! ſhall the Raviſher diſplay your Hair,
While the Fops envy, and the Ladies ſtare!
Honour forbid! at whoſe unrival'd Shrine
Eaſe, Pleaſure, Virtue, All, our Sex reſign.
Methinks already I your Tears ſurvey,
Already hear the horrid things they ſay,
Already ſee you a degraded Toaſt,
And all your Honour in a Whiſper loſt!
How ſhall I, then, your helpleſs Fame defend?
'Twill then be Infamy to ſeem your Friend!
And ſhall this Prize, th' ineſtimable Prize,
Expos'd thro' Cryſtal to the gazing Eyes,
And heighten'd by the Diamond's circling Rays,
On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze?
Sooner ſhall Graſs in Hide-Park Circus grow,
And Wits take Lodgings in the Sound of Bow;
Sooner
