162
The Dunciad.
Book IV.
Arrest him, Empress; or you sleep no more—
70 She heard, and drove him to th' Hibernian shore.
And now had Fame's posterior Trumpet[R 1] blown,
And all the Nations summon'd to the Throne.
The young, the old, who feel her inward sway,
One instinct seizes, and transports away.
75 None need a guide,[R 2] by sure Attraction led,
And strong impulsive gravity of Head:[R 3]
None want a place, for all their Centre found,
Hung to the Goddess, and coher'd around.
70 She heard, and drove him to th' Hibernian shore.
And now had Fame's posterior Trumpet[R 1] blown,
And all the Nations summon'd to the Throne.
The young, the old, who feel her inward sway,
One instinct seizes, and transports away.
75 None need a guide,[R 2] by sure Attraction led,
And strong impulsive gravity of Head:[R 3]
None want a place, for all their Centre found,
Hung to the Goddess, and coher'd around.
Remarks
- ↑ Ver. 71. Fame's posterior Trumpet] Posterior, viz. her second or more certain Report: unless we imagine this word posterior to relate to the position of one of her Trumpets, according to Hudibras: She blows not both with the same Wind,
But one before and one behind;
And therefore modern Authors name
One good, and t'other evil Fame. - ↑ Ver. 75. None need a guide,–None want a place,] The sons of Dulness want no instructors in study, nor guides in life: they are their own masters in all Sciences, and their own Heralds and Introducers into all places.
- ↑ Ver. 76 to 101.] It ought to be observed that here are three classes in this assembly. The first of men absolutely and avowedly dull, who naturally adhere to the Goddess, and are imaged in the simile of the Bees about their Queen. The second involuntarily drawn to her, tho' not caring to own her influence; from ver. 81 to 90. The third of such, as, tho' not members of her state, yet advance her service by flattering Dulness, cultivating mistaken talents, patronizing vile scriblers, discouraging living merit, or setting up for wits, and Men of taste in arts they understand not; from ver. 91 to 101. In this new world of Dulness each of these three classes hath its appointed station, as best suits its nature, and concurs to the harmony of the System. The first drawn only by the strong and simple impulse of Attraction, are represented as falling directly down into her; as conglobed into her substance, and resting in her centre.———All their centre found,
Hung to the Goddess, and coher'd around.
