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1742
The Scribleriad. Being an Epistle to the Dunces. On Renewing their Attack upon Mr. Pope, under their Leader the Laureat. By Scriblerus. London: Printed for W. Webb. 1742.
pp. 3-29. h.c.
Mock-heroic.
A reply to the attacks made upon Pope by Cibber and Lord Hervey in July and August 1742.
After some discursive satire against Court, Administration and City the poem settles down into a "Sessions of the Dunces" at which the Goddess of Puffs awards the prize to Cibber.
Then thus the Goddess — "Cease all further Strife,
"Colley, thy Hand! I'm thine alone for Life;
"Thine be the Prize, and Emblem of thy Wit,
"Which tho' not so, yet some will take for it:
"But 'tis not long, ev'n me thou must forsake;
"My last, my best, Advice then friendly take,
"Dear Scriblers, all Adventurers in Wit,
"Who scorn the Field of fell Debate to quit,
"Howe'er [Pope] lash you, still the war pursue,
"Your Ignorance brings all his Wit to view;
"The Insects hov'ring in the breezy Air
"Shew th'approaching vernal Season near;
"The Maggot that in Sun-beams basking lies,
"Tho' the Heat scorch him, by that Heat he flies."
She spake, and then, unseen, unheard retir'd,
Born in a Breath, she with a Sigh expir'd. [Conclusion.]
"Colley, thy Hand! I'm thine alone for Life;
"Thine be the Prize, and Emblem of thy Wit,
"Which tho' not so, yet some will take for it:
"But 'tis not long, ev'n me thou must forsake;
"My last, my best, Advice then friendly take,
178
"Who scorn the Field of fell Debate to quit,
"Howe'er [Pope] lash you, still the war pursue,
"Your Ignorance brings all his Wit to view;
"The Insects hov'ring in the breezy Air
"Shew th'approaching vernal Season near;
"The Maggot that in Sun-beams basking lies,
"Tho' the Heat scorch him, by that Heat he flies."
She spake, and then, unseen, unheard retir'd,
Born in a Breath, she with a Sigh expir'd. [Conclusion.]
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