The little incident of Lord Petre depriving Mrs. Fermor of a ringlet gave rise to Pope’s poem “The Rape of the Lock.” Belinda’s head-dress is thus described:
“This nymph, to the destruction of mankind,
Nourished two locks, which graceful hung behind
In equal curls, and well conspired to deck
With shining ringlets the smooth ivory neck.
Love in these labyrinths his slaves detains,
And mighty hearts are held in slender chains.”
The poet explains how these “mazy ringlets,” owed much of their beauty to a rigorous discipline:
“Was it for this you took such constant care
The bodkin, comb, and essence to prepare?