him Theobald, which by good luck happens to be the name of a real person.

I am indeed aware, that this name may to some appear too mean, for the Hero of an Epic Poem! But it is hoped, they will alter that opinion, when they find, that an Author no less eminent than La Bruyere, has thought him worthy a place in his Characters.

Voudriez vous, THEOBALDE, que je crusse que vous êtes baisse ? que vous n'êtes plus Poete, ni bel esprit ? que vous êtes présentement aussi Mauvais juge de tout genre d'Ouvrage, que Méchant Auteur Votre air libre & presumptueux me rassure, & me persuade tout le contraire, &c. Characteres, Vol. I. de la Société & de la Conversation, p. 176, Edit. Amst. 1720.

THE

DUNCIA D

IN

THREE BOOKS.

THE

DUNCIA D.

BOOK THE FIRST.

Book and the man I sing, the first who brings
The Smithfield muses to the ears of kings;
Say great Patricians! (since yourselves inspire
These wond'rous works; so Jove and fate require!)
Say from what cause, in vain decry'd and curst,
Still Dunce the second reigns like Dunce the first ? 2

In eldest time, e'er mortals writ or read,
E'er Pallas issued from the Thund'rer's head,
Dulness o'er all possess'd her antient right,
Daughter of Chaos and eternal Night:
Fate in their dotage this fair idiot gave,
Gross as her sire, and as her mother grave,
Laborious, heavy, busy, bold, and blind,
She rul'd, in native anarchy, the mind.

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