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| The Rape of the Lock (Canto V) |
| 作者Author / Alexander Pope 亞歷山大．波普 |
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The Rape of the Lock
釋意（paraphrase）: Canto V
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The Baron remains unmoved by either Belinda or Thalestris. Vlarissa prepares to speak. Although beauty may attract the attentions of men, beauty is vain without good sense. Since beauty fades, women must "keep good humour," for "merit wins the Soul" (lines 1-34).
The hearers ignore this advice. Instead, the lines of battle are drawn between the men and the women (lines 35-44). It was so when Homer described the gods in battle (lines 45-52). Umbriel and the other spirits gladly view the "growing combat" (linea 53-56). Thalestris "scatters death" with her eyes upon various fops (lines 57-65). Chloe kills Sir Plume and then revives him (lines 67-70). Jove decides the battle in favor of the women (lines 71-74).
Belinda throws "a charge of snuff" into the Baron's nose (lines 75-86). Belinda now draws out a bodkin (ornamental hair pin), which had a long history in Belinda's family (lines 87-96). The Baron protests that he does not fear to die. His only regret is leaving her (lines 97-102).
All now cry out "Restore the lock," but according to Heaven's decree, the lock has disappeared (lines 103-112). Some thought the lock had mounted to the moon, where all kinds of hypocritical, trivial, and useless things are kept (lines 113-122). Actually, the lock rose upward and became a "sudden star" with "a radiant trail of hair" behind. Lovers then mistake the Star for Venus, and Partridge (an astrologer) will see it and make foolish predictions (lines 133-140).
So the poet advises Belinda that she should not regret the loss of tye lock, for, after all her beauty has died, her name shall be inscribed among the stars (lines 141-150). |
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