Alexander Pope,
The Dunciad — Book the First
(1743)
“ As the pile is kindled, the Goddess, beholding the flame from her seat, flies and puts it out, by casting upon it the poem of Thulé. She forthwith reveals herself to him, transports him to her Temple, unfolds her Arts, and initiates him into her Mysteries; then announcing the death of Eusden, the Poet Laureate, anoints him, carries him to Court, and proclaims him Successor. ”
Alexander Pope,
The Dunciad — Book the First
(1743)
“ A twisted Birth-day Ode completes the spire.Then he: Great Tamer of all human art!First in my care, and ever at my heart;165 Dulness! whose good old cause I yet defend,With whom my Muse began, with whom shall end; [I. 7] E'er since Sir Fopling's Periwig [R. 49] was Praise,To the last honours of the Butt and Bays: O thou! of Bus'ness the directing soul!170 To this our head like byass to the bowl, Which, as more pond'rous, made its aim more true,Obliquely wadling to the mark in view:O! ever gracious to perplex'd mankind,Still spread a healing mist before the mind ”
Alexander Pope,
The Dunciad — Book the First
(1743)
“ When the last blaze sent Ilion to the skies. [R. 67] Rowz'd by the light, old Dulness heav'd the head;Then snatch'd a sheet of Thulè [R. 68] from her bed,Sudden she flies, and whelms it o'er the pyre;260 Down sink the flames, and with a hiss expire.Her ample presence fills up all the place;A veil of fogs dilates her awful face:Great in her charms! as when on Shrieves and May'rsShe looks, and breathes herself into their airs. ”
