Five hours, (and who can do it less in?) / By haughty Celia spent in dressing
-- Speaker (Lines 1 – 2)

Importance: This quote introduces the poem's subject as well as its sardonic tone. It indicates the poem is going to be about a beautiful, but conceited, young woman named Celia who spends hours getting dressed. Yet it also begins to subtly indicate the satirical manner in which the poem will treat this subject. By introducing Celia so directly, the poem takes on a comedic register from this very first line.

Strephon, who found the room was void, / And Betty otherwise employ'd
-- Speaker (Lines 5 – 6)

Importance: These lines introduce the principal plot of the poem. Strephon, a young man, is presumably courting Celia. When he finds she is not there, and that her maid (Betty was a generic term for a serving maid) is busy elsewhere, he sneaks into her dressing room to spy on her, expecting to find all sorts...