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ARABELLA FERMOR,

From a Picture by Sir Peter Lely.

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: n the Collection of W. Fermor, Esq. Tusmore, Oxfordshire.

Published by Cadell & Davies. Strand, and the other Proprietors. May 1.1807.

TO MRS. ARABELLA FERMOR.

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MADAM,

But

will be in vain to deny that I have fome regard for this piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet you may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good sense and good humour enough to laugh not only at their fex's little unguarded follies, but at their own. as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it foon found its way into the world. An imperfect copy having been offered to a Bookseller, you had the good-nature for my fake to confent to the publication of one more correct: This I was forced to, before I had executed half my design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it.

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to fignify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Demons, are made to act in a Poem: For the ancient Poets are in one respect like many modern Ladies; let an action be never so trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost im portance. These Machines I determined to raife on a very new and odd foundation, the Roficrucian doctrine of Spirits.

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I know how difagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis fo much the concern of a Poet to have his works understood, and particularly by your Sex, that you must give me leave to explain two or three difficult terms.

The Roficrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The beft account I know of them is in a French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in its title and fize is fo like a Novel, that many of the Fair Sex have read it for one by mistake. According to thefe Gentlemen the four Elements are inhabited by Spirits, which they call Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs, and Salamanders. The Gnomes or Demons of Earth delight in mischief; but the Sylphs, whofe habitation is in the Air, are the best conditioned Creatures imaginable. For they say, any mortals may enjoy the most intimate familiarities with thefe gentle Spirits, upon a condition very easy to all true Adepts, an inviolate prefervation of Chastity.

As to the following Cantos, all the paffages of them are as fabulous, as the Vifion at the beginning, or the Transformation at the end; (except the lofs of your Hair, which I always mention with reverence.)) The Human perfons are as fictitious as the Airy ones; and the character of Belinda, as it is now managed, refembles you in nothing but in Beauty,

If this Poem had as many Graces as there are in your Perfon, or in your Mind, yet I could never hope. it fhould pafs through the world half fo Uncenfured as You have done. But let its fortune be what it will, mine is happy enough, to have given me this occasion of affuring you that I am, with the truest esteem,

MADAM,

Your most obedient, humble fervant,

A. POPE.

THIS Lady was alfo celebrated by Parnell in a poem not published by Pope, as follows, on her leaving London:

"From town fair Arabella flics:
The beaux 'unpowder'd greve;
The rivers play before her eyes;
The breezes, foftlreathing, rife;
The fpring begins to live.

Her lovers wore, they must expire:
Yet quickly find their ease;
For, as fhe goes, their flames retire,
Love thrives before a nearer fire,
Efteem by distant

rays.

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