Book II.
The Dunciad.
91
Remarks.
- ↑ Ver. 143. A shaggy Tap'stry,] A sorry kind of Tapestry frequent in old Inns, made of worsted or some coarser stuff; like that which is spoken of by Donne—Faces as frightful as theirs who whip Christ in old hangings. The imagery woven in it alludes to the mantle of Cloanthus, in Æn. v.
- ↑ Ver. 144. On Codrus' old, or Dunton's modern bed;] Of Codrus the poet's bed, see Juvenal, describing his poverty very copiously, Sat. iii. ver, 103, &c.Lectus erat Cadro, &c.
Codrus had but one bed, so short to boot,
That his short Wife's short legs hung dangling out.
His cupboard's head six earthen pitchers grac'd,
Beneath them was his trusty tankard plac'd;
And to support this noble plate, there lay
A bending Chiron, cast from honest clay.
His few Greek books a rotten chest contain'd,
Whose covers much of mouldiness complain'd,
While Malice, Pope, denies thy page
Its own celestial fire,
While Critics, and while Bards in rage,
Admiring, won't admire:
Its own celestial fire,
While Critics, and while Bards in rage,
Admiring, won't admire:
While wayward pens thy worth assail,
And envious tongues decry;
These times tho' many a Friend bewail,
These times bewail not I.
And envious tongues decry;
These times tho' many a Friend bewail,
These times bewail not I.
But when the World's loud praise is thine,
And spleen no more shall blame,
When with thy Homer then shalt shine
In one establish'd fame:
And spleen no more shall blame,
When with thy Homer then shalt shine
In one establish'd fame:
When none shall rail, and ev'ry lay
Devote a wreathe to thee;
That day (for come it will) that day
Shall I lament to see.
Devote a wreathe to thee;
That day (for come it will) that day
Shall I lament to see.
