'124 the
Cosmetic
pow'rs':
the deities that preside over a lady's toilet.
the deities that preside over a lady's toilet.
Alexander Pope
83-86, is that the gnomes fill the girls' minds with hopes of a
splendid marriage and so induce them to "deny love. "
'94 impertinence':
purposeless flirtation.
'97-98 Florio . . . Damon':
poetic names for fine gentlemen; no special individuals are meant.
'100' Why is a woman's heart called a "toy-shop"?
'101 Sword-knots':
tassels worn at the hilts of swords. In Pope's day every gentleman
carried a sword, and these sword-knots were often very gay.
'105 who thy protection claim':
what is the exact meaning of his phrase?
'108 thy ruling Star':
the star that controls thy destinies, a reference to the old belief in
astrology.
'115 Shock':
Belinda's pet dog. His name would seem to show that he was a
rough-haired terrier.
'118'
Does this line mean that Belinda had never seen a billet-doux before?
'119 Wounds, Charms, and Ardors':
the usual language of a love-letter at this time.
'124 the Cosmetic pow'rs':
the deities that preside over a lady's toilet. Note the playful satire
with which Pope describes Belinda's toilet as if it were a religious
ceremony. Who is "th' inferior priestess" in l. 127?
'131 nicely':
carefully.
'134 Arabia':
famous for its perfumes.
'145 set the head':
arrange the head-dress.
'147 Betty':
Belinda's maid.
CANTO II
'4 Launch'd':
embarked.
'25 springes':
snares.
'26 the finny prey':
a characteristic instance of Pope's preference or circumlocution to a
direct phrase.
'35-36'
A regular formula in classical epics. In Virgil (XI, 794-795) Phoebus
grants part of the prayer of Arruns; the other part he scatters to the
light winds.
'38 vast French Romances':
these romances were the customary reading of society in Pope's day when
there were as yet no English novels. Some of them were of enormous
length. Addison found several of them in a typical lady's library, great
folio volumes, finely bound in gilt ('Spectator', 37).
splendid marriage and so induce them to "deny love. "
'94 impertinence':
purposeless flirtation.
'97-98 Florio . . . Damon':
poetic names for fine gentlemen; no special individuals are meant.
'100' Why is a woman's heart called a "toy-shop"?
'101 Sword-knots':
tassels worn at the hilts of swords. In Pope's day every gentleman
carried a sword, and these sword-knots were often very gay.
'105 who thy protection claim':
what is the exact meaning of his phrase?
'108 thy ruling Star':
the star that controls thy destinies, a reference to the old belief in
astrology.
'115 Shock':
Belinda's pet dog. His name would seem to show that he was a
rough-haired terrier.
'118'
Does this line mean that Belinda had never seen a billet-doux before?
'119 Wounds, Charms, and Ardors':
the usual language of a love-letter at this time.
'124 the Cosmetic pow'rs':
the deities that preside over a lady's toilet. Note the playful satire
with which Pope describes Belinda's toilet as if it were a religious
ceremony. Who is "th' inferior priestess" in l. 127?
'131 nicely':
carefully.
'134 Arabia':
famous for its perfumes.
'145 set the head':
arrange the head-dress.
'147 Betty':
Belinda's maid.
CANTO II
'4 Launch'd':
embarked.
'25 springes':
snares.
'26 the finny prey':
a characteristic instance of Pope's preference or circumlocution to a
direct phrase.
'35-36'
A regular formula in classical epics. In Virgil (XI, 794-795) Phoebus
grants part of the prayer of Arruns; the other part he scatters to the
light winds.
'38 vast French Romances':
these romances were the customary reading of society in Pope's day when
there were as yet no English novels. Some of them were of enormous
length. Addison found several of them in a typical lady's library, great
folio volumes, finely bound in gilt ('Spectator', 37).
