Explanations:

This day, black omens threat the brightest fair,

That e’er deserved a watchful spirit’s care;

Some dire disaster, or by force, or sleight;

But what, or where, the fates haye wrapped in night.

Answer: These lines have been quoted from the renowned production of the eighteenth century, “The Rape of the Lock” which has been written by Alexander Pope. These selected lines are chosen from the 2nd canto of the poem. Here Ariel, the guardian sylph of Belinda foretells the predicament that may befall Belinda this very day.

Ariel is the chief of the sylphs who play the role of supernatural machinery in the lock: He tells the assembled sylphs that Belinda who is the most beautiful of all the ladies, is threatened by some disaster, certain evil signs have indicated that some misfortune will befall her. Ariel adds that, if ever a beautiful lady deserved the watchful care of sylphs, it is Belinda. He foretells that some terrible misfortune will befall Belinda. This calamity may be brought about by somebody by the use of force and violence. Or, it may be brought about by means of a trick or fraud. But what the nature of the misfortune is or at what particular spot it will befall Belinda, has been kept a secret by the fates. What will happen in the fate of Belinda is even unknown to Ariel. Thus the supernatural powers who govern human – destiny have not indicated the nature of the misfortune or the place where Belinda will meet that misfortune. The exact nature of the calamity and the place of its happening are still enveloped in mystery –

In fact, Pope wants to create suspense and mocks the epic conventions and style through these lines.