Shall this a Pasquin, that a Grumbler write;
Like are their merits, like rewards they share,
That shines a Consul, this Commissioner.[R 1]
185 "But who is he,[I 1] in closet close y-pent,
"Of sober face, with learned dust besprent?
Right well mine eyes arede[R 2] the myster wight,
On parchment scraps y-fed, and Wormius hight.
Remarks
- ↑ Ver. 184. That shines a Consul, this Commissioner.] Such places were given at this time to such sort of Writers.
- ↑ Ver. 187. arede] Read, or peruse; though sometimes used for counsel. "Reade thy read, take thy Counsaile. Thomas Sternhold, in his translation of the first Psalm into English metre, hath wisely made use of this word,But in the last spurious editions of the singing Psalms the word read is changed into men. I say spurious editions, because not only here, but quite throughout the whole book of Psalms, are strange alterations, all for the worse; and yet the Title-page stands as it used to do! and all (which is a-The man is blest that hath not bent
To wicked read his ear.
[Dedic. to Dennis Rem. on the Rape of the Lock.] The truth is, the poor Dedicator's brain was turn'd upon this article: He had taken into his head, that ever since some books were written against the Stage, and since the Italian Opera had prevail'd, the nation was infected with a vice not fit to be nam'd: He went so far as to print upon the subject, and concludes his argument with this remark, "That he cannot help thinking the Obscenity of Plays excusable at this juncture; since, when that execrable sin is spread so wide, it may be of use to the reducing mens minds to the natural desire of women." Dennis, Stage defended against Mr. Law, p. 20. Our author solemnly declared, he never heard any creature but the Dedicator mention that Vice and this Gentleman together.
Imitations
- ↑ Ver. 185. But who is he, &c.] Virg. Æn. vi. questions and answers in this manner, of Numa:Quis procul ille autem ramis insignis olivæ,
Sacra ferens?—nosco crines, incanaque menta, &c.
