100
The Dunciad.
Book II.
A youth unknown to Phœbus, in despair,
Puts his last refuge all in heav'n and pray'r.
What force have pious vows! The Queen of Love 215
His sister sends, her vot'ress, from above.
As taught by Venus, Paris learnt the art
To touch Achilles' only tender part;
Secure, thro' her, the noble prize to carry,
He marches off, his Grace's Secretary. 220
Now turn to diff'rent sports (the Goddess cries)
And learn, my sons, the wond'rous pow'r of Noise.
To move, to raise, to ravish ev'ry heart,
With Shakespear's nature, or with Johnson's art,
Let others aim: 'Tis yours to shake the soul[I 1] 225
With Thunder rumbling from the mustard bowl,[R 1]
Remarks.
- ↑ Ver. 226. With Thunder rumbling from the mustard bowl,] The old way of making Thunder and Mustard were the same; but since, it is more advantageously performed by troughs of wood with stops in them. Whether Mr. Dennis was the inventor of that improvement, I know not; but it is certain, that being once at a Tragedy of a new author, he fell into a great passion at hearing some, and cried, "'Sdeath! that is my Thunder."
Imitations.
- ↑ Ver. 223, 225. To move, to raise, &c.
Let others aim: 'Tis yours to shake, &c.]
Excudent alii spirantia mollius era,
Credo equidem, vivor ducent de marmore vultus, &c.
Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento,
Hæ tibi erunt artes———
