Norton, from Daniel and Ostrœa sprung, 415 And all was hush'd, as Folly's self lay dead. 418 REMARKS. 415 Norton.] Norton de Foe, offspring of the famous Daniel; Fortes creantur fortibus: one of the authors of the Flying Post, (in which well-bred work Mr. P. had some times the honour to be abused with his betters), and of many hired scurrilities, and daily papers, to which he never set his name. IMITATIONS. 418 And all was hush'd, as Folly's self lay dead.] Alludes to Dryden's verse in the Indian Emperor : All things are hush'd, as Nature's self lay dead. BOOK III. ARGUMENT. After the other persons are disposed in their proper places of rest, the goddess transports the king to her temple, and there lays him to slumber with his head on her lap; a position of marvellous virine, which causes all the visions of wild enthusiasts, projectors, politicians, inamoratos, castle-builders, chemists, and poets. He is immediately carried on the wings of fancy, and led by a mad poetical sibyl to the Elysian shade; where, on the banks of Lethe, the souls of the dull are dipped by Bavius, before their entrance into this world. There he is met by the ghost of Settle, and by him made acquainted with the wonders of the place, and with those which he himself is destined to perform. He takes him to a mount of vision, from whence he shows him the past triumphs of the Empire of Duluess; then, the present; and, lastly, the future: how small a part of the world was ever conquered by science, how soon those conquests were stopped, and those very nations again reduced to her dominion. Then distinguishing the island of Great-Britain, shows by what aids, by what persons, and by what degrees, it shall be brought to her empire. Some of the persons he causes to pass in review before his eyes, describing each by his proper figure, character, and qualifications. On a sudden the scene shifts, and a vast number of miracles and prodigies appear, utterly surprising and unknown to the king himself, till they are explained to be the wonders of his own reign now commencing. On this subject, Settle breaks into a congratulation, yet not unmixed with concern, that his own times were but the types of these. He prophesies how first the nation shall be over-run with farces, operas, and shows; how the throne of Dulness shall be advanced over the theatres, and set up even at court; then how her sous shall preside in the seats of arts and sciences; giving a glimpse, or Pisgah sight, of the future fuluess of her glory, the accomplishment whereof is the subject of the fourth and last book. BUT in her temple's last recess inclos'd, Him close she curtains round with vapours blue, 15 And now, on Fancy's easy wing convey'd, The king descending views the' Elysian shade. A slip-shod sibyl led his steps along, In lofty madness meditating song; Her tresses staring from poetic dreams, And never wash'd but in Castalia's streams. Taylor, their better Charon, lends an oar; (Once swan of Thames, though now he sings no more) REMARKS. 19 19 Taylor.] John Taylor the Water-poet, an honest man, who owns he learned not so much as the accidence: a rare example of modesty in a poet! 'I must confess I do want eloquence, And never scarce did learn my accidence; I there was gravell'd, could no farther get.' He wrote fourscore books in the reign of James 1. and Charles I. and afterwards (like Edward Ward) kept an alehouse in Long-acre. He died in 1654. IMITATIONS. W. 7,8 Hence from the straw where Bedlam's prophet nods, He hears loud oracles, and talks with gods.] Et varias audit voces, fruiturque deorum 15 A slip-shod Sibyl, &c.] Conclamat vates VIRG. Æn. VIII. Farens antro se immisit aperto.' VIRG. Benlowes, propitions still to blockheads, bows; 25 24 And blunt the sense, and fit it for a skull Instant, when dip'd, away they wing their flight, REMARKS. 21 Benlowes.] A country gentleman, famous for his own bad poetry, and for patronizing bad poets, as may be seen from many dedications of Quarles and others to him, Some of these anagramed his name Benlowes into Benevolus; to verify which he spent his whole estate upon them. W. 22 And Shadwell nods, the poppy, &c] Shadwell took opium for many years, and died of too large a doze, in the, year 1692. W. 24 Old Bavius sits.] Bavius was an ancient poet, celebrated by Virgil for the like cause as Bayes by our auther, though not in so Christian-like a manner for heathenishly it is declared by Virgil of Bavius, that be ought to be hated and detested for bis evil works: Qui Bavium non odit? whereas we have often had occasion to observe our poet's great good nature and mercifulness through the whole course of this poem. SCRIB. 23-Browne and Mears.] Booksellers, printers for any body.- The allegory of the souls of the dull coming forth in the form of books dressed in calf's leather, and being let abroad in vast numbers by booksellers, is sufficiently intelligible. W. IMITATIONS. 23 Here in a dusky vale, &c.] Seclusum nemus VIRG. Æn. VI. Lethæumque domos placidas qui prænatat amnem, Hunc circum innumeræ gentes,' &c. VIRG. Æn. VI. 24 Old Bavius sits to dip poetic souls.] At pater Anchises penitus convalle virenti Inclusas animas, superumque ad lumen ituras, 28 VIRG. En. VI. unbar the gates of light.] An hemistich of Milton. Demand new bodies, and in calf's array 31 Wondering he gaz'd: when, lo! a sage appears, By his broad shoulders known, and length of ears, Known by the band and suit which Settle wore (His only suit) for twice three years before: All as the vest appear'd the wearer's frame, Old in new state, another yet the same. Bland and familiar, as in life, begun Thus the great father to the greater son: 'Oh! born to see what none can see awake! Behold the wonders of the' oblivious lake! Thou, yet unborn, hast touch'd this sacred shore ;* How many Dutchmen she vouchsaf'd to thrid ? REMARKS. 34 John Ward of Hackney, Esq. member of parliament, being convicted of forgery, was first expelled the House, and then sentenced to the pillory, on the 17th of February 1727. IMITATIONS. W. 51, 52 Millions and millions-Thick as the stars, &c.] VIRG. Eu. VI. |