ABSTRACT
Matthew Prior, Alma, ii. 287–304, Literary Works of Matthew Prior, ed. H. B. Wright and M. Spears (1959), i. 492–3. Prior's poem was first published in Poems on Several Occasions (1718), published 17 March 1719. Lord Bathurst told Warton that Pope was not pleased with this compliment, An Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope, i (3rd ed., 1772), 316 note. O ABELARD, ill-fated Youth, Thy Tale will justify the Truth: But well I weet, thy cruel Wrong Adorns a nobler Poet's Song. Dan POPE for thy Misfortune griev'd, With kind Concern, and Skill has weav'd A silken Web; and ne'er shall fade It's Colors: gently has He laid The Mantle o'er thy sad Distress: And VENUS shall the Texture bless. He o'er the weeping Nun has drawn, Such artful Folds of Sacred Lawn, That LOVE with equal Grief and Pride, Shall see the Crime, He strives to hide: And softly drawing back the Veil, The God shall to his Vot'ries tell Each conscious Tear, each blushing Grace, That deck'd Dear ELOISA'S Face.
