Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/162

In peace, great Goddess, ever be ador'd;
120  How keen the war, if Dulness draw the sword!
Thus visit not thy own! on this blest age
Oh spread thy Influence, but restrain thy Rage.
And see, my son! the hour is on its way,
That lifts our Goddess to imperial sway;
125 This fav'rite Isle, long sever'd from her reign,
Dove-like, she gathers^{[R 1]} to her wings again.
Now look thro' Fate! behold the scene she draws!
What aids, what armies to assert her cause!^{[R 2]}
See all her progeny, illustrious sight!^{[I 1]}
130 Behold, and count them, as they rise to light.
As Berecynthia, while her offspring vye^{[I 2]}
In homage to the Mother of the sky,

Remarks

1. Ver. 126. Dove-like, she gathers] This is fulfilled in the fourth book.
2. Ver. 128. What aids, what armies to assert her cause!] i.e. Of Poets, Antiquaries, Critics, Divines, Free-thinkers. But as this Revolution is only here set on

Imitations

1. Ver. 127, 129. Now look thro' Fate?—See all her Progeny, &c.]
   Nunc age, Dardaniam prolem quae deinde sequatur
   Gloria, qui maneant Itala de gente nepotes,
   Illustres animas, nostrumque in nomen ituras,
   Expedian.Virg. Æn. vi.
2. Ver. 131. As Berecynthia, &c.
   Felix prele virûm, qualis Berecynthia mater
   Invehitur curru Phrygias turrita per urbes,
   Laeta deûm partu, centum complexa nepotes,
   Omnet cœlicolas, omnes supera alta tenentes.Virg. Æn. vi.