You had the good-nature for my sake to consent to the publication of one more correct.
-- Alexander Pope (Dedicatory Note)

Importance: This quotation is drawn from the dedicatory preface from the poem. Here, Pope is speaking directly to Arabella, who was the real-life inspiration for Belinda. She suffered an identical attack (the theft of her hair by a would-be suitor) and was a friend of Pope's. That friendship is important to understanding how the satire of the poem is intended to land. So, too, is the quote that appears here: where Pope clarifies that the poem was written and published, not just with a fondness for her, but with her consent. That seems to soften the satire at play.

Say what strange motive, Goddess! could compel / A well-bred Lord t' assault a gentle Belle? / O say what stranger cause, yet unexplor'd, / Could make a gentle Belle reject a Lord?
-- Speaker (Canto 1, Lines 6 – 9)

Importance: This quote provides an example of...