of Great Britain, fhews by what aids, by what perfons, and by what degrees it shall be brought to her Empire. Some of the perfons he causes to pass in review before his eyes, defcribing each by his proper figure, character, and qualifications. On a fudden the Scene fhifts, and a vast number of miracles and prodigies appear, utterly Surprising and unknown to the King bimfelf, till they are explained to be the wonders of bis own reign now commencing. On this fubject Settle breaks into a congratulation, yet not unmixed with concern, that his own times were but the types of these. He prophecies bow firft the nation fhall be over-run with Farces, Operas, and Shows; how the Throne of Dul. nefs fhall be advanced over the Theatres, and fet up even at Court: then how her Sons shall prefide in the feats of Arts and Sciences: giving a glympse, or Pifgab-fight of the future Fulness of her Glory, the accomplishment whereof is the fubject of the fourth and laft Book.

A Slip-shod Sibyl led his Steps along
In lofty Madness meditating Song.

BOOK III.

UT in her Temple's laft recefs inclos'd,

Bu

5

On Dulness' lap th' Anointed head repos'd. Him close she curtains round with Vapours blue, And foft befprinkles with Cimmerian dew. Then raptures high the feat of Sense o'erflow, Which only heads refin'd from Reason know. Hence, from the straw where Bedlam's Prophet nods, He hears loud Oracles, and talks with Gods: Hence the Fool's Paradise, the Statesman's Scheme, The air-built Castle, and the golden Dream, 'The Maid's romantic wish, the Chemist's flame, And Poet's vifion of eternal Fame.

And now, on Fancy's eafy wing convey'd, The King defcending, views th' Elyfian Shade.

10

REMARKS.

VER. 5, 6, etc.] Hereby is intimated that the following Vision is no more than the chimera of the dreamer's brain, and not a realor intended fatire on the prefent Age, doubtlefs more learned, more enlightened, and more abounding with great Geniuses in Divinity Politics, and whatever arts and sciences, than all the preceding. For fear of any fuch mistake of our Poet's honeft meaning, he hath again, at the end of the Vifion, repeated this monition, faying that it all paffed through the Ivory gate, which (according to the Ancients) denoteth Falfity. SCRIBL..

How much the good Scriblerus was mistaken, may be seen from the fourth Book, which, it is plain from hence, he had never feen. BENTL

IMITATION S.

VER. 7, 8. Hence, from the ftraw where Bedlam's Prophet nods,
He bears loud Oracles, and talks with Gods :]

"Et varias audit voces, fruiturque deorum
"Colloquio".

Virg. Æn. viiiä.

A flip-fhod Siby! led his fteps along,

In lofty madness meditating fong;
Her treffes ftaring from Poetic dreams,

15

And never wash'd, but in Caftalia's ftreams,
Taylor, their better Charon, lends an oar,

(Once fwan of Thames, tho' now he fings no more.)

REMARKS.

VER. 15. A flip-food Siby!] This allegory is extremely juft, no conformation of the mind fo much fubjecting it to real Madness, as that which produces real Dulness. Hence we find the religious (as well as the poetical) Enthufiafts of all ages were ever, in their natural state, most heavy and lumpifh; but on the leaft application of beat, they ran like lead, which of all metals falls quickest into fufion. Whereas fire in a Genius is truly Promethean, it hurts not its conftituent parts, but only fits it (as it does well-tempered fteel) for the neceffary impreflions of art. But the common people have been taught (I do not know on what foundation) to regard Lunacy as a mark of Wit, juft as the Turks and our modern Methodists do of Holiness. But if the caufe of Madness affigned by a great Philofopher be true, it will unavoidably fall upon the dunces. He fuppofes it to be the darling over long on one object or ida: Now as this attention is occafioned either by Grief or Study, it will be fixed by Dulnefs; which hath not quickness enough to comprehend what it feeks, nor force and vigour enough to diveit the imagination from the obje& it laments.

A rare exam

VER. 19. Taylor John Taylor the Water-poet, an honest man, who owns he learned not fo much as the Accidence: ple of modesty in a Poet!

"I must confefs I do want eloquence,

"And never scarce did learn my Accidence :
"For having got from pom to poffet,

"I there was gravel'd, could no farther get."

He wrote fourfcore books in the reign of James I. and Charles I.. and afterwards (like Edward Ward) kept an Alehouse in Long-Acre. He died in 1654.