Book IV.
The Dunciad.
181
To happy Convents, bosom'd deep in vines,
Where slumber Abbots, purple as their wines:
To Isles of fragrance, lilly-silver'd vales,[R 1]
Diffusing languor in the panting gales:
305 To lands of singing, or of dancing slaves,
Love-whisp'ring woods, and lute-resounding waves.
But chief her shrine where naked Venus keeps,
And Cupids ride the Lyon of the Deeps;[R 2]
Where, eas'd of Fleets, the Adriatic main
310 Wafts the smooth Eunuch and enamour'd swain.
Led by my hand, he saunter'd Europe round,
And gather'd ev'ry Vice on Christian ground;
Saw ev'ry Court, hear'd ev'ry King declare
His royal Sense, of Op'ra's or the Fair;
315 The Stews and Palace equally explor'd,
Intrigu'd with glory, and with spirit whor'd;
Try'd all hors-d'œuvres, all liqueurs defin'd,
Judicious drank, and greatly-daring din'd;[R 3]
Dropt the dull lumber of the Latin store,
320 Spoil'd his own language, and acquir'd no more;
Where slumber Abbots, purple as their wines:
To Isles of fragrance, lilly-silver'd vales,[R 1]
Diffusing languor in the panting gales:
305 To lands of singing, or of dancing slaves,
Love-whisp'ring woods, and lute-resounding waves.
But chief her shrine where naked Venus keeps,
And Cupids ride the Lyon of the Deeps;[R 2]
Where, eas'd of Fleets, the Adriatic main
310 Wafts the smooth Eunuch and enamour'd swain.
Led by my hand, he saunter'd Europe round,
And gather'd ev'ry Vice on Christian ground;
Saw ev'ry Court, hear'd ev'ry King declare
His royal Sense, of Op'ra's or the Fair;
315 The Stews and Palace equally explor'd,
Intrigu'd with glory, and with spirit whor'd;
Try'd all hors-d'œuvres, all liqueurs defin'd,
Judicious drank, and greatly-daring din'd;[R 3]
Dropt the dull lumber of the Latin store,
320 Spoil'd his own language, and acquir'd no more;
Remarks
- ↑ Ver. 303. lilly-silver'd vales,] Tube-roses.
- ↑ Ver. 308. And Cupid, ride the Lyon of the Deeps;] The winged Lyon, the Arms of Venice. This Republic heretofore the most considerable in Europe, for her Naval Force and the extent of her Commerce; now illustrious for her Carnivals.
- ↑ Ver. 318. greatly-daring din'd;] It being indeed no small risque to eat thro' those extraordinary compositions, whose disguis'd ingredients are generally unknown to the guests, and highly inflammatory and unwholsome.
