28
THE ELEPHANT
25 This was the only Purpose of their Meeting,
For which they chose a Time, and Place most fitting;
When, at the Full, her equal Shares of Light
And Influence were at their greatest Height.
And now the lofty Telescope, the Scale,
30 By which they venture Heav'n itself t' assail,
Was rais'd, and planted full against the Moon,
And all the rest stood ready to fall on,
Impatient, who should bear away the Honour
To plant an Ensign, first of all, upon her.
35 When one, who for his solid deep Belief,
Was chosen Virtuoso then in chief;
Had been approv'd the most profound, and wise
At solving all Impossibilities,
With Gravity advancing, to apply
40 To th' Optick-glass his penetrating Eye,
Cry'd out, O strange! then reinforc'd his Sight:
Against the Moon with all his Art and Might;
And bent the Muscles of his pensive Brow,
As if he meant to stare and gaze her thro',
For which they chose a Time, and Place most fitting;
When, at the Full, her equal Shares of Light
And Influence were at their greatest Height.
And now the lofty Telescope, the Scale,
30 By which they venture Heav'n itself t' assail,
Was rais'd, and planted full against the Moon,
And all the rest stood ready to fall on,
Impatient, who should bear away the Honour
To plant an Ensign, first of all, upon her.
35 When one, who for his solid deep Belief,
Was chosen Virtuoso then in chief;
Had been approv'd the most profound, and wise
At solving all Impossibilities,
With Gravity advancing, to apply
40 To th' Optick-glass his penetrating Eye,
Cry'd out, O strange! then reinforc'd his Sight:
Against the Moon with all his Art and Might;
And bent the Muscles of his pensive Brow,
As if he meant to stare and gaze her thro',
ment here mentioned to be sent upon these fantastical and presumptuous Speculators about the Use and Destination of the celestial Bodies, the Poet means Lunacy, or, as Milton expresses it, Moon-struck Madness.
Whether
