Answer from Plato:
What terrible offence can result from romantic pursuits,
What great fights can arise from trivial things,
I sing—this poem for Caryll, Muse is needed:
Even Belinda can do me the favor of reading this verse
The subject of the poem is trivial, but the praise could be great
If she (Belinda) inspires and he (Caryll) approves my poem.
Tell me, what strange motive could compel
a well bred Lord (aristocrat or a gentleman) to assault a gentle girl?
Tell me, what even stranger cause, as yet unheard of,
could compel a gentle girl to reject a Lord?
Small men can undertake such bold actions
And soft-hearted women can hold so much anger?
Summarized answer:
What terrible offence can result from romantic pursuits, What great fights can arise from trivial things, I sing—this poem for Caryll, Muse is needed: Even Belinda can do me the favor of reading this verse The subject of the poem is trivial, but the praise could be great If she (Belinda) inspires and he (Caryll) approves my poem.
