Page:A Key to the Lock. Or, A Treatise Proving, Beyond All Contradiction, the Dangerous Tendency of a Late Poem, Entituled, The Rape of the Lock, to Government and Religion - Pope (1715).djvu/17

 those that are industriously made so, it is not to be expected we should find the Clue at first sight; but when once we have laid hold on that, we shall trace this our Author through all the Labyrinths, Doublings and Turnings of this intricate Composition.

First then let it be observed, that in the most demonstrative Sciences some Postulata are to be granted, upon which the rest is naturally founded. I shall desire no more than one Postulatum to render this obvious to the meanest Capacity; which being granted me, I shall not only shew the Intent of this Work in general, but also explain the very Names, and expose all his fictitious Characters in their true Light; and we shall find, that even his Spirits were not meerly contrived for the sake of Machinary.

The only Concession which I desire to be made me, is, that by the Lock is meant

I. First then I shall discover, that represents, or (which is the same thing) her late. This is plainly seen in his Description of her.

Alluding to the antient Name of Albion, from her white Cliffs, and to the Cross, which is the Ensign of England.