SEMPER

EA DEM

By AUTHORITY.

By virtue of the Authozity in Ús velted by the Act for subjecting Poets to the Power of a Licenfer, we have revised this Piece; where finding the style and appellation of KING to have been given to a certain Pretender, Pfeudo-Poet, 02 Phantom, of the name of TIBBALD; and apprehending the fame may be deemed in some fozt a Reflection on Majesty, oz at least an infult on that Legal Authority which has bestowed on another Perlon the Crown of Poesy: We have ordered the faid Pretender, Pfeudo-Poet, 02 Phantom, utterly to vanish and evaporate out of this wozk: And do declare the laid Throne of Poely from henceforth to be abdicated and vacant, unless duly and lawfully fupplied by the LAUREATE himfelf. And it is hereby enacted, that no other person do pzelume to fill the fame.

VOL. III.

L

OC. Ch.

THE Propofition, the Invocation, and the Infcription. Then the Original of the great Empire of Dulness, and caufe of the continuance thereof. The College of the Goddess in the City, with her private Academy for Poets in particular; the Governors of it, and the four Cardinal Virtues. Then the Poem haftes into the midst of things, prefenting her, on the evening of a Lord Mayor' day, revolving the long fucceffion of her Sons, and the glories paft and to come.

She

fixes her eye on Bays to be the Inftrument of that great Event which is the Subject of the Poem. He is defcribed penfive among his Books, giving up the Caufe, and apprehending the Period of her Empire: After debating whether to betake himself to the Church, or to Gaming, or to Party-writing, he raises an Altar of proper books, and (making firft his folemn prayer and declaration) purposes thereon to facrifice all his unfuccessful writings. As the pile is kindled, the Goddefs, beholding the flame from her feat, flies and puts it out, by cafting upon it the poem of Thulé. She forthwith reveals herself to him, transports him to her Temple, unfolds her Arts, and initiates him into her Myfteries; then announcing the death of Eufden the Poet Laureate, anoints him, carries him to Court, and proclaims him Succeffor.