And hears the various vows of fond mankind;
Some beg an eastern, some a western wind:
All vain petitions, mounting to the sky,
With reams abundant this abode supply; 90
Amus'd he reads, and then returns the bills
Sign'd with that Ichor which from Gods distils.[I 1]
In office here fair Cloacina[I 2] stands,
And ministers to Jove with purest hands.
Forth from the heap she pick'd her Vot'ry's pray's, 95
And plac'd it next him, a distinction rare!
Oft had the Goddess heard her servant's call,
From her black grottos near the Temple-wall,
List'ning delighted to the jest unclean
Of link-boys vile, and watermen obscene; 100
Where as he fish'd her nether realms for Wit,[I 3]
She oft had favour'd him, and favours yet.
Renew'd by ordure's sympathetic force,
As oil'd with magic juices[I 4] for the course,
Imitations
- ↑ Ver. 92. Alludes to Homer, Iliad v.——— πέε δ´ ἂμξροτον ἆιμα Θέοισ
Ίχὼρ, οἷος ῶέρ τε ῤἐοι μακάρεοςι Θεοῑσις.
A stream of nect'rous humour issuing flow'd,
Sanguine, such as celestial sp'rits may bleed.Milton. - ↑ Ver. 93. Cloacina] The Roman Goddess of the common-sewers.
- ↑ Ver. 101. Where as he fish'd, &c.] See the preface to Swift's and Pope's Miscellanies.
- ↑ Ver. 104. As oil'd with magic juices] Alluding to the opinion that there are ointments used by witches to enable them to fly in the air, &c.
