There funk Thalia, nerveless, cold, and dead, REMARKS. 45 By purpose, to oppose the kingdom of Dulness to her last breath. Ver. 43. Nor could't thou, &c.] This Noble Perfon in the year 1737, when the A&t aforefaid was brought into the Houfe of Lords, oppofed it in an excellent fpeech (fays Mr. Cibber)" with a lively fpirit, and un"common eloquence." This fpeech had the honour to be answered by the faid Mr. Cibber, with a lively fpirit alfo, and in a manner very uncommon, in the 8th Chapter of his Life and Manners. And here, gentle Reader, would I gladly infert the other speech, whereby thou mightest judge between them; but I must defer it on account of fome differences not yet adjusted between the noble Author, and myself, concerning the True Reading of certain paffages. BENTL. Ver. 45. When lo! a Harlot form] The Attitude given to this Phantom reprefents the nature and genius of the Italian Opera; its affected airs, its effeminate founds, and the practice of patching up these Operas with favourite Songs, incoherently put together. Thefe things were fupported by the fubfcriptions of the Nobility. This circumftance that OPERA fhould prepare for the opening of the grand Seffions, was prophefied of in Book iii. ver. 304. "Already Opera prepares the way, "The fure forerunner of her gentle fway." By finging Peers up-held on either hand, She trip'd and laugh'd, too pretty much to stand: Caft on the proftrate Nine a scornful look, 50 O Cara! Cara! filence all that train: Joy to great Chaos! let Divifion reign: 55 Go Strong in new Arms, lo! Giant HANDEL ftands, 65 To stir, to rouze, to shake the Soul he comes, REMARKS. Ar Ver. 54. Let Divifion reign:] Alluding to the false tate of playing tricks in Mufic with numberlefs divifions, to the neglect of that harmony which conforms to the Senfe, and applies to the Paffions. Mr. Handel had introduced a great number of Hands, and more variety of Inftruments into the Orchestra, and employed even Drums and Cannon to make a fuller Chorus which proved fo much too manly for the fine Gentlemen of his age, that he was obliged to remove his Mufic into Ireland. After which they were reduced, for want of Compofers, to practise the patch-work abovementioned. Arrest him, Emprefs, or you fleep no more➡ And now had Fame's pofterior Trumpet blown, The gathering number, as it moves along, Who, gently drawn, and struggling less and lefs, REMARKS. Whate'er Ver. 76 to 101. It ought to be observed that here are three claffes in this affembly. The first of men abfolutely and avowedly dull, who naturally adhere to the Goddefs, and are imagined in the fimile of the Bees about their Queen. The fecond involuntarily drawn tơ `her, though not caring to own her influence; from ver. 81 to 90. The third of fuch, as though not members of her state, yet advance her service by flattering Dulnefs, cultivating mistaken talents, patronizing vile fcriblers, difcouraging living merit, or fetting up for wits, and Men of taste in arts they understand not; from ver. 91 to 101. Whate'er of mungril no one clafs admits, A wit with dunces, and a dunce with wits. Nor absent they, no members of her state, 90 95 100 There march'd the bard and blockhead fide by fide, Who rhym'd for hire, and patroniz'd for pride. Narciffus, prais'd with all a Parfon's power, Look'd a white lily funk beneath a shower. There mov'd Montalto with fuperior air; His ftretch'd-out arm difplay'd a Volume fair; Courtiers and Patriots in two ranks divide, 105 Through both he pass`d, and bow'd from fide to fide: But as in graceful act, with awful eye, Compos'd he flood, bold Benson thrust him by: REMARKS. 110 On Ver. 108.-bow'd from fide to fide:] As being of no one party. Ver. 110. bold Benfon] This man endeavoured to raife himself to Fame by erecting monuments, ftriking coins, fetting up heads, and procuring tranflations, of Milton; and afterwards by as great a paffion for Arthur Johnston, a Scotch Phyfician's Verfion of the Pfalms, of which he printed many fine Editions. See more of him, Book iii. ver. 325. On two unequal crutches propt he came, When Dulness smiling,—“ Thus revive the Wits! A new Edition of old Æfon gave; Let standard-Authors, thus, like trophies borne, Ver. 114. VARIATION. 115 120 And What! no refpect, he cry'd, for Shakespeare's page? REMARKS. Ver. 113. The decent Knight] An eminent perfon who was about to publish a very pompous Edition of a great Author at his own expence. Ver. 115, &c.] Thefe four lines were printed in a feparate leaf by Mr. Pope in the laft Edition, which he himself gave, of the Dunciad, with directions to the printer, to put this leaf into its place as foon as Sir T. H.'s Shakespeare should be published. Ver. 119. Thus revive, &c.] The Goddess applauds the practice of tacking the obfcure names of Perfons not eminent in any branch of Learning, to those of the moft diftinguished Writers; either by printing Editions of their works with impertinent alterations of their Text, as in the former inftances; or by setting up Monuments difgraced with their own vile names and inscriptions, as in the latter. |