Quote by Alexander Pope, The Rape of the
Hither the heroes and nymphs resort,To taste awhile the pleasures of a court;In various talk th' instuctive hours they past,Who gave the ball, or paid the visit last;One speaks the glory of the British Queen,And one describes a charming Indian screenA third interprets motions, looks and eyes;At every word a reputation dies.
Summary
This quote satirically depicts the trivial and superficial nature of court life. It highlights how heroes and nymphs gather at the court to engage in gossip and small talk, discussing mundane topics such as social events and material possessions. The quote suggests that in such a setting, even gestures and glances can be misinterpreted and lead to the downfall of someone's reputation. Ultimately, it comments on the shallowness and fleeting nature of the pleasures found within the court and the potential consequences of engaging in idle chatter.
Topics
Literary
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