upon the Thames, and overspreading the whole nation with ceremonies:
Not with more glories in th' ethereal plain
The Sun first rises o'er the purple main,
Than issuing forth, the rival of his beams
Launch'd on the bosom of the silver Thames.
She is dressed with a cross on her breast, the ensign of popery, the adoration of which is plainly recommended in the following lines:
On her white breast a sparkling cross she wore,
Which Jews might kiss, and infidels adore.
Next he represents her as the universal church, according to the boasts of the papists:
And like the Sun she shines on all alike.
After which he tells us,
If to her share some female errours fall,
Look on her face, and you'll forget them all.
Though it should be granted some errours fall to her share, look on the pompous figure she makes throughout the world, and they are not worth regarding. In the sacrifice following you have these two lines:
For this, ere Phebus rose, he had implor'd
Propitious Heav'n, and ev'ry pow'r ador'd.
In the first of them he plainly hints at their rising to matins; in the second, by adoring every power, the invocation of saints.
Belinda's visits are described with numerous waxlights, which are always used in the ceremonial part of the Romish worship:
