Book IV.
The Dunciad.
167
145 All Flesh is humbled, Westminster's bold race
Shrink, and confess the Genius of the place:
The pale Boy-Senator yet tingling stands,
And holds his breeches[R 1] close with both his hands.
Then thus. Since Man from beast by Words is known,
150 Words are Man's province, Words we teach alone.
When Reason doubtful, like the Samian letter,[R 2]
Points him two ways, the narrower is the better.
Plac'd at the door of Learning, youth to guide,[R 3]
We never suffer it to stand too wide.
155 To ask, to guess, to know, as they commence,
As Fancy opens the quick springs of Sense,
We ply the Memory, we load the brain,
Bind rebel Wit, and double chain on chain,
Shrink, and confess the Genius of the place:
The pale Boy-Senator yet tingling stands,
And holds his breeches[R 1] close with both his hands.
Then thus. Since Man from beast by Words is known,
150 Words are Man's province, Words we teach alone.
When Reason doubtful, like the Samian letter,[R 2]
Points him two ways, the narrower is the better.
Plac'd at the door of Learning, youth to guide,[R 3]
We never suffer it to stand too wide.
155 To ask, to guess, to know, as they commence,
As Fancy opens the quick springs of Sense,
We ply the Memory, we load the brain,
Bind rebel Wit, and double chain on chain,
Remarks
- ↑ Ver. 148. And holds his breeches] An effect of Fear somewhat like this, is described in the 7th Æneid,nothing being so natural in any apprehension, as to lay close hold on whatever is suppos'd to be most in danger. But let it not be imagined the author would insinuate these youthful Senators (tho' so lately come from school) to be under the undue influence of any Master. Scribl.Contremuit nemus ———
Et trepidæ matres pressere ad pectora nates. - ↑ Ver. 151. like the Samian letter,] The letter Y, used by Pythagoras as an emblem of the different roads of Virtue and Vice.
Et tibi quae Samios diduxit litera ramos.Persius. - ↑ Ver. 153. Plac'd at the door, &c.] This circumstance of the Genius Loci (with that of the Index-hand before) seems to be an allusion to the Table of Cebes, where the Genius of human Nature points out the road to be pursued by those entering into life. Ὁ δὲ γέρων ο ἄνω ἑστηκὼς ἔχων χάρτην τινὰ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ, καὶ τῇ ἑτέρα ὥσπερ δεικνύων τί οῧτος Δαίμων καλεῑται, &c.
