IN THE MOON.
29
45 While all the rest began as much t'admire,
And, like a Powder-train, from him took Fire,
Surpriz'd with dull Amazement beforehand
At what they would, but could not understand;
And grew impatient to discover, what
50 The Matter was, they so much wonder'd at.
Quoth he, the old Inhabitants o' th'Moon,
Who, when the Sun shines hottest about Noon,
Are wont to live in Cellars under ground,
Of eight Miles deep, and more than eighty round,
55 In which at once they use to fortify
Against the Sun-beams, and the Enemy,
Are counted Borough-Towns and Cities there,
Because th' Inhabitants are civiler
Than those rude Country Peasants, that are found,
60 Like Mountaineers, to live on th' upper Ground,
Nam'd Privolans, with whom the others are
Perpetually in state of open War.
And, like a Powder-train, from him took Fire,
Surpriz'd with dull Amazement beforehand
At what they would, but could not understand;
And grew impatient to discover, what
50 The Matter was, they so much wonder'd at.
Quoth he, the old Inhabitants o' th'Moon,
Who, when the Sun shines hottest about Noon,
Are wont to live in Cellars under ground,
Of eight Miles deep, and more than eighty round,
55 In which at once they use to fortify
Against the Sun-beams, and the Enemy,
Are counted Borough-Towns and Cities there,
Because th' Inhabitants are civiler
Than those rude Country Peasants, that are found,
60 Like Mountaineers, to live on th' upper Ground,
Nam'd Privolans, with whom the others are
Perpetually in state of open War.
Whether Butler in these additional Lines intends to sneer Selenographists in general, or alludes to any particular Passage in Kepler's Deliriums upon this Subject, is more than I can ascertain, as I have not his Books to consult.
73.
