For thee explain a thing till all men doubt it, 251 Plague with dispute, or persecute with rhyme. 260 Or wed to what he must divorce, a Muse: 265 And hew the block off, and get out the man. 270 But wherefore waste I words? I see advance Whore, pupil, and lac'd governor from France. Walker! our hat-nor more he deign'd to say, But, stern as Ajax, spectre strode away. 273 In flow'd at once a gay embroider'd race, And titt'ring push'd the pedants off the place: Some would have spoken, but the voice was drown'd By the French horn, or by the op'ning hound. The first came forwards with as easy mien, As if he saw St. James's and the Queen. 280 When thus the artendant Orator begun ; 295 Thence bursting glorious, all at once let down, IMITATIONS. v. 284. A dauntless infant! never scar'd with God.] ....sine Dis aniinosus Infans,' 300 305 Hor 315 But chief her shrine where naked Venus keeps, REMARKS. 321 325 v. 307. But chief.] &c. These two lines, in their force o imagery and colouring, emulate and equal the pencil of Rube v. 308. And Cupids ride the Lion of the deeps.] The winged Lion, the arms of Venice. This republic was heretofore the most considerable in Europe for her naval force, and the extent of her commerce; now illustrious for her Carnivals. v 326...Jansen, Fleetwood. Cibber.] Three very eminent persons, all managers of plays; who, though not governors by profession, had, each in his way, concerned themselves in t education of youth, and regulated their wits. their morals of their finances, at that period of their age which is the most in portant, their entrance into the polite world. Of the last of thes And his talents for this end, see Book 1. ver. 199, &c. Stol'n from a duel, follow'd by a nun, And, as if a borough choose him, not undone; This glorious youth, and add one Venus more. 330 340 Pleas'd, she accepts the hero, and the dame, 335 But Annius, crafty seer, with ebon wand, 345 IMITATIONS. . 332. So may the sons of sons, &c.]. Et nati natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis.' 7. 342. Stretch'd on the rack.. And heard, &c.] Sedet, aternumque sedcbit! Infelix Theseus, Phlegyasque miserrimus omnes Firg. Virg. 351 False as his gems, and canker'd as his coins, Came, crammed with capon, from where Poilio diacs. Soft, as the wily fox is seen to creep, Where bask on sunny banks the simple sheep, Walk round and round, now prying here, now there, So he, but pious, whisper'd first his pray'r: Grant, gracious Goddess! grant me still to cheat! O may thy cloud still cover the deceit ! Thy choicer mists on this assembly shed, But pour them thickest on the noble head. So shall each youth, assisted by our eyes, 360 See other Cæsars, other Homers rise; Thro' twilight ages hunt th' Athenian fowl, Which Chalcis gods, and mortals call an owl. Now see an Attys, now a Cecrops clear, Nay, Mahomet! the pigeon at thine ear; Be rich in ancient brass, tho' not in gold, And keep his lares, tho' his house be sold; To headless Phœbe his fair bride postpone, Honor a Syrian prince above his own; Lord of an Otho, if I vouch it true; 365 Bless'd in one Niger, till he knows of two. 370 Mummius o'erheard him; Mummius, fool renown'd, Who like his Cheops, stinks above the ground, IMITATIONS. D. 355...grant me still to cheat! O may thy coud still cover the deceit!] Da, pulchra Laverna, 'Da mihi fallere... Noctem peccatis et fraudibus objice nubem. Hor. |