Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/210

Walker! our hat—nor more he deign'd to say,
But, stern as Ajax' spectre,^{[R 1]} strode away.
275 In flow'd at once a gay embroider'd race,
And titt'ring push'd the Pedants off the place:^{[R 2]}
Some would have spoken, but the voice was drown'd
By the French horn, or by the op'ning hound.
The first came forwards, with as easy mien,^{[R 3]}
280 As if he saw St. James's^{[R 4]} and the Queen.
When thus th'attendant Orator^{[R 5]} begun.
Receive, great Empress! thy accomplish'd Son:
Thine from the birth, and sacred from the rod,
A dauntless infant! never scar'd with God.^{[R 6]}
285 The Sire saw, one by one, his Virtues wake:
The Mother begg'd the blessing of a Rake.

Remarks

1. Ver. 274. stern as Ajax' spectre,] See Homer Odyss xi. where the Ghost of Ajax turns sullenly from Ulysses. A Passage extremely admired by Longinus.
2. Ver. 276. And titt'ring push'd, &c.] Hor.

   Rideat & pulset lasciva decentiùs ætas

3. Ver. 279. The first came forward, &c.] This Forwardness or Pertness is the certain consequence, when the Children of Dulness are spoiled by too great fondness of their Parent.
4. Ver. 280. As if he saw St. James's,) Reflecting on the disrespectful and indecent Behaviour of several forward young Persons in the Presence, so offensive to all serious men, and to none more than the good Scriblerus.
5. Ver. 281. th'attendant Orator] The Governor abovesaid. The Poet gives him no particular name; being unwilling, I presume, to offend or do injustice to any, by celebrating one only with whom this character agrees, in preference to so many who equally deserve it. Scribl.
6. Ver. 284. A dauntless Infant! never scar'd with God.] Hor.

   ———fine Dis Animosus Infans

   .