tive enemy, punished, or driven away: Dulnefs being often reconciled in fome degree with Learning, but never upon any terms with Wit. And accordingly it will be feen that she admits fomething like each Science, as Cafuittry, Sophiftry, &c. but nonothing like Wit, Opera alone fupplying its place. There funk Thalia, nervelefs, cold, and dead, Nor could't thou, CHESTERFIELD! a tear re◄ Thou wept'ft, and with thee wept each gentle Muse. She trip'd and laugh'd, too pretty much to stand: 50 O Cara Cara ! Glence all that train: REMARKS, mated (as fhould feem) from above, for this very purpose, to oppofe the kingdom of Dulness to her last breath. Ver. 43. Nor could't thou, &c.] This Noble Perfon in the year 1737, when the Act aforesaid Ver. 30. gives her Page the word.] There was a was brought into the Houfe of Lords, oppofed it in Judge of this name, always ready to hang any an excellent fpeech (fays Mr. Cibber) with a man that came before him, of which he was fuf-" lively fpirit, and uncommon eloquence." This fered to give a hundred miferable examples, during fpeech had the honour to be anfwered by the faid a long life, even to his dotage.-Though the can- Mr. Cibber, with a lively fpirit alfo, and in a mandid Scriblerus imagined Page here to mean no more ner very uncommon, in the 8th Chapter of his than a Page or Mute, and to allude to the custom Life and Manners. And here, gentle Reader, would of strangling State Criminals in Turkey by Mutes I gladly infert the other fpeech, whereby thou or Pages. A practice more decent than that of our mightest judge between them; but I must defer it Page, who, before he hanged any one, aded him on account of fome differences not yet adjusted bewith reproachful language. tween the noble Author, and my felf, concerning the True Reading of certain Passages. BENTL. SCRIBL. Ver. 39. But fober Hiftory] Hiftory attends on Tragedy, Satire on Comedy, as their substitutes in Ver. 45. When lo! a Harlet form] The Atthe difcharge of their distinct functions; the one titude given to this Phantom reprefents the nature in high life, recording the crimes and punishments and genius of the Italian Opera; its affected airs, of the great; the other in low, expofing the vices its effeminate founds, and the practice of patching or follies of the common people. But it may be up thefe Operas with favourite Songs, incoherently afked, How came History and Satire to be admitted put together. These things were fupported by the with impunity to minifter comfort to the Mufes,fubfcriptions of the Nobility. This circumstance, even in the prefence of the Goddefs, and in the midft of all her triumphs? A question, fays Scriblerus, which we thus refolve: Hiftory was brought up in her infancy by Dulness herself; but being afterwards efpoufed into a noble house, the forgot (as is ufual) the humility of her birth, and the cares of her carly friends. This occafioned a long eftrangement between her and Duinefs. At length, in procefs of time, they met together in a Monk's Cell, were reconciled, and became better friends than ever. that OPERA should prepare for the opening of the grand Seffions, was prophefied of in Book iii. ver. 304. "Already Opera prepares the way, "The fure forerunner of her gentle fway." Ver. 54. Let Divifion reign:] Alluding to the falfe tafte of playing tricks in Mufic with numberlefs divifions, to the neglect of that harmony which conforms to the Senfe, and applies to the Paffions. After this they had a fecond quarrel, Mr. Handel had introduced a great number of but it held not long, and are now again on rea-Hands, and more variety of Inftruments into the fonable terms, and fo are likely to continue. This accounts for the connivance fhewn to History on this occafion. But the boldness of SATIRE fprings from a very different caufe; for the reader ought to know, that she alone of all the fifters is unconquerable, never to be filenced, when truly inspired and ani Orchestra, and employed even Drums and Cannon to make a fuller Chorus; which proved fo much too manly for the fine Gentlemen of his age, that he was obliged to remove his Mufic into Ireland. After which they were reduced, for want of Compofers, to practise the patch-work above-mentioned. 65 The decent Knight retir'd with fober rage, Withdrew his hand, and clos'd the pompous page. Like bold Briarcus, with a hundred hands; The gathering number, as it moves along, Nor abfent they, no members of her state, 75 80 85 Ver. 108-bow'd from fide to fide:] As being 90 of no one party. Ver. 110. bold Benfon] This man endeavoured to raise himself to Fame by erecting monuments, Atriking coins, fetting up heads, and procuring tranflations, of Milton; and afterwards by as great 95 a paffion for Arthur Johnfton, a Scotch Phyfician'■ Verfion of the Pfalms, of which he printed many fine editions. See more of him, Book iii. ver. 325. Ver. 113. The decent Knight] An eminent perfon who was about to publish a very pompous EdiThere march'd the bard and blockhead fide by tion of a great Author at his own expence. fide, Who rhym'd for hire, and patroniz'd for pride. REMARKS. 100 105 Ver. 76 to 101. It ought to be cbferved that here are three claffes in this affembly. The firft of men abfolutely and avowedly dull, who naturally adhere to the Goddefs, and are imaged in the fimile of the Eces about their Queen. The fecond involuntarily drawn to he, though not caring to own her influence; from ver. 81 to 90. The third of fuch as, though not members of her fate, yet advance her fervice by flattering Dulnefs, cultivating mistaken talents, patronizing vile fcriblers, difcouraging living merit, or fetting up for wits, and Men of tafte in arts they understand not; from ver. 91 to 101.. Ver. 115, &c.] Thefe four lines were printed in a feparate leaf by Mr. Pope in the laft Edition, which he himself gave, of the Dunciad, with directions to the printer, to put this leaf into its place as foon as Sir. T. H.'s Shakespeare should be published. Ver. 119. Thus revive, &c.] The Goddess applauds the practice of tacking the obfcure names of Perfons not eminent in any branch of Learning, to thofe of the most diftinguished Writers; either by printing Editions of their works with impertinent alterations of their Text, as in the former inftances; or by fetting up Monuments difgraced with their own vile names and infcriptions, as in the latter. Ver. 128. A Page, a Grave,] For what lefs than a Grave can be granted to a dead author? or what lefs than a Page can be allowed a living one! Ver. 128. A Page,] Pagina, not Pediffequus A Page of a Book, not a Servant, Follower, or Attendant: no Poet having had a Page fince the death of Mr. Thomas Durfey. SCRIBLA His beaver'd brow a birchen garland wears, 149 Ver. 131. So by each Bard an Alderman, &c.] We never fuffer it to stand too wide. Vide the Tombs of the Poets, Editio Westmonaf-To afk, to guefs, to know, as they commence, 155 As Fancy opens the quick fprings of Senfe, 169 fomething might have been faid, in an Age fo dif-Pity! the charm works only in our wall, tinguished for well-judging Patrons. For LORD, Loft, loft too foon in yonder Houfe or Hall. then, read LOAD; that is, of Debts here, and of There truant WINDHAM every Muse gave o'er, Commentaries hereafter. To this purpose, conThere TALBOT funk, and was a Wit no more! fpicuous is the cafe of the poor Author of Hudibras, How fweet an Ovid, MURRAY was our boaft! whofe body, long fince weighed down to the Grave, How many Martials were in PULTENEY loft! 170 by a load of Debts, has lately had a more un-Elfe fure fome Bard, to our eternal praise, merciful load of Commentaries laid upon his Spirit; wherein the Editor has atchieved more than Virgil himself, when he turned Critic, could boast of, which was only, that he had picked gold out of another man's dung; whereas the Editor has picked it out of his own. SCRIEL. Ariftarchus thinks the common reading right: and that the author himself had been struggling, and but juft fhaken off his Load when he wrote the following Epigram: "My Lord complains, that Pope, stark mad with "gardens, "Has lopt three trees the value of three farthings: Dunce fcorning Dunce beholds the next advance, This is not to be afcribed fo much to the different In twice ten thousand rhyming nights and days, Oh (cry'd the Goddefs) for fome pedant Reign! REMARKS. 176 Ver. 151. like the Samian letter,] The letter Y ufed by Pythagoras as an emblem of the different roads of Virtue and Vice. Et tibi quæ Samios diduxit litera ramos." Perf. Ver. 174. that Mafter-piece of Man.] Viz. an Epigram. The famous Dr. South declared a perfect Epigram to be as difficult a performance as an Epic Poem. And the Critics fay, "An Epic Poem is the greatest work human nature is ca"pable of." Ver. 176. Some gentle JAMES, &c.] Wilfon tells us that this King, James the Firit, took upon himself to teach the Latin tongue to Car, Earl of Somerfet; and that Gondomar the Spanish Ambaffador would fpeak falfe Latin to him, on purpose to give him the pleasure of correcting it, whereby he wrought himself into his good graces. This great Prince was the first who affumed the title of Sacred Majefty, which his loyal Clergy transferred from God to him. The Principles 200 205 As many quit the streams that murmuring fall REMARKS. 210 214 Cen brated were not real horses, nor even " of Paffive Obedience and Non-refiftance (fays" Ver. 194. Though Chrift-church, &c.] This line is doubtlefs fpurious, and foifted in by the impertinence of the Editor; and accordingly we have put it between Hooks. For I affirm this College came as early as any other, by its proper Deputies; nor did any College pay homage to Dulness in its whole body. MAGNE." Here I profefs to go oppofite to the whole stream of commentators. I think the poet only aimed, though awkwardly, at an elegant Græcifm in this reprefentation; for in that language the word inwes [Horfe] was often prefixed to others, to denote greatnefs of ftrength; as ixxoλázubov, ixróydwocos, iroμágalpov, and particularly IПOгNOMÓN, a great, connoiffeur, which comes nearest to the cafe in hand. SCIP. MAFF. Ver. 199. the ftreams] The river Cam, running by the walls of thefe Colleges, which are particularly famous for their skill in difputation. BENTL. Ver. 196. ftill expelling Locke,] In the year 1703 there was a meeting of the heads of the Uni-" verfity of Oxford to cenfure Mr. Locke's Effay on Human Understanding, and to forbid the reading of it. See his Letters in the laft Edit. Ver. 198. On German Crouzaz, and Dutch Burgerfdyck.] There feems to be an improbability that the Doctors and Heads of Houfes fhould ride on horfebacck, who of late days, being gouty or unwieldy, have kept their coaches. But thefe are horfes of great strength, and fit to carry any weight, as their German and Dutch extraction may mani feft; and very famous we may conclude, being honoured with Names, as were the horfes Pegafus and Bucephalus. SCRIBL. Though I have the greatest deference to the penetration of this eminent Scholiaft, and muft own that nothing can be more natural than his interpretation, or jutter than that rule of criticifm, which directs us to keep to the literal fenfe, when no apparent abfurdity accompanies it (and fure there is no abfurdity it (and fure, there is no abfurdity in fuppofing a Logician on horfeback) yet Still I muit needs think the Hackneys here cele Ver. 202. fleeps in Port.] viz. " Now retired, into harbour, after the tempefts that had long agitated his fociety." So Scriblerus. But the learned Scipio Maffei understands it of a certain Wine called Port, from Oporto, a city of Portugal, of which this Profeffor invited him to drink abundantly. SeIP. MAFF. De Compotationibus Academicis. [And to the opinion of Maffei inclineth the fagacious Annotator on Dr. King's "Advice to Horace."] Ver. 210. Ariftarchus.] A famous Commentator and Corrector of Homer, whofe name has been frequently used to fignify a complete Critic. The Compliment paid by our Author to this eminent Profeffor, in applying to him fo great a Name, was the reafon that he hath omitted to comment on this part, which contains his own praifes. We fhall therefore fupply that lofs to our beft ability. SCRIBL. Ver. 214. Critics like me-] Alluding to twe famous Editions of Horace and Milton: whofe richeft veins of Poetry he had prodigally reduced to the poorest and most beggarly profe.-Verily the learned fcholiaft is grievously mistaken. Aristarchus is not boafting here of the wonders of his art in annihilating the fublime; but of the usefulness of it, in reducing Roman and Greek Grammarians! know your Bet- For Attic Phrafe in Plato let them feek, ter: • Author or fomething yet more great than Letter; Let Freind affect to speak as Terence spoke, back. REMARKS. 220 The critic Eye, that Microscope of Wit, 235 Sees hairs and pores, examines bit by bit: the turgid to its proper clafs; the words "make it profe again," plainly fhewing that profe it was, though afhamed of its original, and therefore to profe it should return. Indeed, much it is to be lamented that Dulnefs doth not confine her critics to this ufeful task; and commiffion them to difmount what Ariftophanes calls Popa' iwwolúμnva, all profe on horfeSCRIBL. Ver. 216. Author of fomething yet more great than Letter;] Alluding to thofe Grammarians, fuch as Palamedes and Simonides, who invented fingle letters. But Ariftarchus, who had found out a double one, was therefore worthy of double honour. SCRIBL. Ver. 217, 218. While towering o'er your Alphabet, like Saul,-Stands our Digamma,] Alludes to the boasted restoration of the Eolic Digamma, in his long projected Edition of Homer. He calls it fomething more than Letter, from the enormous figure it would make among the other letters, being one Gamma fet up the fhoulder of another. Ver. 220. of Me or Te,] It was a ferious difpute, about which the learned were much divided, and fome treatises written: Had it been about Meum and Tuum it could not be more contested, than whether at the end of the first Ode of Horace, to read, Me doctarum hederæ præmia frontium, or, Te doctarum hederæ-By this the learned fcholiaft would feem to infinuate that the difpute was not about Meum and Tuum, which is a Miftake: For, as a vererable fage obferveth, Words are the counters of Wifemen, but the money of Fools; fo that we see their property was indeed concerned. SCRIBL. Ver. 222. Or give up Cicero to C or K.] Grammatical difputes about the manner of pronouncing Cicero's name in Greek. It is a difpute whether in Latin the name of Hermagoras fhould end in as or a. Quintilian quotes Cicero as writing it Hermagora, which Bentley rejects, and fays Quintilian must be mistaken, Cicero could not write it fo, and that in this cafe he would not believe Cicero himfelf. Thefe are his very words: Ego vero Ciceronem ita fcripfifle ne Ciceroni quidem affirmanti crediderim.-Epift. ad Mill. in fin. Frag. Menand. et Phil. Ver. 223, 224. Freind-Alfop] Dr. Robert Freind, mafter of Westminster-fchool, and canon of Christ-church-Dr. Anthony Alfop, a happy imita. tor of the Horatian style. Ver. 226. Manilius and Solinus] Some critics having had it in their choice to comment either on 245 250 255 Ah, think not, Mistress! more true Dulness lies In Folly's Cap, than Wisdom's grave difguife. 240 Like buoys, that never fink into the flood, On Learning's furface we but lie and nod, Thine is the genuine Head of many a houfe, And much Divinity without a Nữ. Nor could a BARROW work on every block, Nor has one ATTERBURY fpoil'd the Rock. See! ftill thy own, the heavy Canon roil, And Metaphyfic fmokes involve the Pole. For thee we aim the eyes, and Puff the head With all fuch reading as was never read: For thee explain a thing till all men doubt it, And write about it, Goddefs, and about it: So fpins the filk-worm fmail its flender store, And labours, till it clouds itself all o'er. What though we let fome better fort of fool Thrid ev'ry fcience, run through every fchool? Never by tumbler through the hoops was shown Such skill in paffing all, and touching none. He may indeed (if fober all this time) Plague with Difpute, or perfecute with Rhyme. 260 We only furnish what he cannot use, Or wed to what he mu't divorce, a Mufe: Full in the midst of Euclid dip at once, And petrify a Genius to a Dunce: Or fet on Metaphyfic ground to prance, Show all his paces, not a step advance. With the fame CEMENT, ever sure to bind, We bring to one dead level every mind. Then take him to develop if you can, And hew the Block off, and get out the Man. 270 But wherefore wafte I words? I fee advance Whore, Pupil, and lac'd Governor, from France. REMARKS. 265 Virgil or Manilius, Pliny or Solinus, have chofen the worfe author, the more freely to display their critical capacity. Ver. 228, &c. Suidas, Gellius, Stobœus] The first a Dictionary-writer, a collector of impertinent facts and barbarous words; the fecond a minute Critic; the third an author, who gave his Common-place book to the public, where we happen to find much Mince-meat of old books. Ver. 245, 246. Barrow, Atterbury] Ifanc Barrow, Matter of Trinity, Francis Atterbury, Dean of Christchurch, both great Geniuses and eloquent Preachers; one more converfant in the fublime Geometry, the other in claffidal Learning; but who equally made it their care to advance the polite Arts in their feveral Societies. Ver. 272. lac'd Governor] Why lac'd? Becaufe |