This Nod confirms each Privilege your own.[R 1]
585 The Cap and Switch be sacred to his Grace;
With Staff and Pumps the Marquis lead the Race;
From Stage to Stage the licens'd Earl may run,
Pair'd with his Fellow-Charioteer the Sun;
The learned Baron Butterflies design,
590 Or draw to silk Arachne's subtile line;[R 2]
The Judge to dance his brother Sergeant call;
The Senator at Cricket urge the Ball;
Remarks.
- ↑ Ver. 584. each Privilege your own, &c.] This speech of Dulness to her Sons at parting may possibly fall short of the Reader's expectation; who may imagine the Goddess might give them a Charge of more consequence, and, from such a Theory as is before delivered, incite them to the practice of something more extraordinary, than to personate Running-Footmen, Jockeys, Stage Coachmen, &c.
But if it be well consider'd, that whatever inclination they might have to do mischief, her sons are generally render'd harmless by their Inability; and that it is the common effect of Dulness (even in her greatest efforts) to defeat her own design; the Poet, I am persuaded, will be justified, and it will be allow'd that these worthy persons, in their several ranks, do as much as can be expected from them. - ↑ Ver. 590. Arachne's subtile line;] This is one of the most ingenious employments assign'd, and therefore recommended only to Peers of Learning. Of weaving Stockings of the Webs of Spiders, see the Phil. Trans.
public Education of her Youth fits and prepares them for the observance of her Laws, and the exertion of those Virtues she recommends. For what makes men prouder than the empty knowledge of Words; more selfish than the Free-thinker's System of Morals; or duller than the profession of true Virtuosoship? Nor are her Institutions less admirable in themselves than in the fitness of these their several relations, to promote the harmony of the whole. For she tells her Sons, and with great truth, that "all her commands are easy, short, and full." For is anything in nature more easy than the exertion of Pride, more short and simple than the principle of Selfishness, or more full and ample than the sphere of Dulness? Thus Birth, Education, and wise Policy all concurring to support the throne of our Goddess, great must be the strength thereof.
