Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/225

485 Wrapt up in Self, a God without a Thought,
Regardless of our merit or default.
Or that bright Image^{[R 1]} to our fancy draw,
Which Theocles in raptur'd vision saw,^{[R 2]}

Remarks

Semota ab nostris rebus, summotaque longe ———
Nec bene pro meritis capitur, nec tangitur ira.


From whence the two verses following are translated, and wonderfully agree with the character of our Goddess. Scribl.
1. Ver. 487. Or that bright Image] Bright Image was the Title given by the later Platonists to that Idea of Nature, which they had form'd in their fancy, so bright,that they call'd it Αὔτοπτον῞ Αλαλμα, or the Self-seen Image, i.e. seen by its own light.
2. Ver. 488. Which Theocles in raptur'd Vision saw.] Thus this Philosopher calls upon his Friend, to partake with him in these Visions:
   "To-morrow, when the Eastern Sun
   With his first Beams adorns the front
   Of yonder Hill, if you're content
   To wander with me in the Woods you see,
   We will pursue those Loves of ours,
   By favour of the Sylvan Nymphs:
   
   
   and invoking first the Genius of the Place, we'll try to obtain at least some faint and distant view of the Sovereign Genius and first Beauty." Charact. Vol. 2. pag. 245."
   This Genius is thus apostrophized (pag. 345.) by the same Philosopher:
   " ——— O glorious Nature!
   Supremely fair, and sovereignly good!
   All-loving, and all-lovely! all divine!
   Wise Substitute of Providence! impower'd
   Creatress! or impow'ring Deity,
   Supreme Creator!
   Thee I invoke, and thee alone adore.
   
   
   Sir Isaac Newton distinguishes between these two in a very different manner. [Princ. Schol. gen. sub fin.]—Hunc cognoscimus solummode per proprietates suas & attributa, & per sapientissimas & optimas rerum structuras, & causas finales; veneramur autem & colimus ob dominium. Deus etenim sine dominio, providentia, & causis finalibus, nihil aliud est quam Fatum & Natura.