BOOK THE FIRST
’Twas on the day, when rich and grave,
Like Cimon, triumphed both on land and wave:
(Pomps without guilt, of bloodless swords and maces,
Glad chains, warm furs, broad banners, and broad faces)
Now night descending, the proud scene was o’er,
But lived, in Settle’s numbers, one day more.
Now mayors and shrieves all hushed and satiate lay,
Yet eat, in dreams, the custard of the day;
While pensive poets painful vigils keep,
Sleepless themselves, to give their readers sleep.
Much to the mindful Queen the feast recalls
What city swans once sung within the walls;
Much she revolves their arts, their ancient praise,
And sure succession down from Heywood’s days.
She saw, with joy, the line immortal run,
Each sire impressed and glaring in his son:
So watchful Bruin forms, with plastic care,
Each growing lump, and brings it to a bear.
She saw old Prynne in restless Daniel shine,
And Eusden eke out Blackmore’s endless line;
She saw slow Philips creep like Tate’s poor page,
And all the mighty mad in Dennis rage.
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IV. Lord Mayor's Procession
After charting the history of Dullness the action locates itself in the specific time and place of the Lord Mayor's Procession.
Pope is here contrasting the mayoral procession of the poem with the military processions of the Athenian soldier and statesman Cimon (c.510-c.450 BC). Cimon is still remembered but the Mayor Thorold will only be remembered in the poet Elkanah Settle's commemorative poem another day or so.
Unlike the creation story of Genesis Pope's doesn't conclude in a day of rest but seems to continually ripple on. Just as the Mayor's procession lives on for a moment so too do the poets seem to continue on the ripple of continuance giving sleep to their readers themselves staying awake. The Queen reflecting on past creations of poets from Thomas Heywood. This succession she relates back to the creation of the animals who is was believed were born out of the mud of Egypt.
Pope is here contrasting the mayoral procession of the poem with the military processions of the Athenian soldier and statesman Cimon (c.510-c.450 BC). Cimon is still remembered but the Mayor Thorold will only be remembered in the poet Elkanah Settle's commemorative poem another day or so.
Unlike the creation story of Genesis Pope's doesn't conclude in a day of rest but seems to continually ripple on. Just as the Mayor's procession lives on for a moment so too do the poets seem to continue on the ripple of continuance giving sleep to their readers themselves staying awake. The Queen reflecting on past creations of poets from Thomas Heywood. This succession she relates back to the creation of the animals who is was believed were born out of the mud of Egypt.
