He prophesies how first the nation shall be overrun with farces, operas, and shows; how the throne of Dulness shall be advanced over the theatres, and set up even at Court; then how her sons shall preside in the seats of arts and sciences; giving a glimpse, or Pisgah-sight, of the future fulness of her glory, the accomplishment whereof is the subject of the fourth and last book. But in her temple's last recess enclosed, On Dulness' lap the anointed head reposed. Him close the curtains round with vapours blue, And soft besprinkles with Cimmerian dew. Then raptures high the seat of sense o'erflow, Which only heads refined from reason know. Hence, from the straw where Bedlam's prophet nods, He hears loud oracles, and talks with gods: Hence the fool's Paradise, the statesman's scheme, The air-built castle, and the golden dream, 10 The maid's romantic wish, the chemist's flame, And poet's vision of eternal fame. And now, on Fancy's easy wing convey'd, The king descending, views the Elysian shade, A slip-shod sibyl led his steps along, In lofty madness meditating song; Her tresses staring from poetic dreams, And never wash'd, but in Castalia's streams. Taylor,[348] their better Charon, lends an oar, (Once swan of Thames, though now he sings no more.) 20 Benlowes,[349] propitious still to blockheads, bows; And Shadwell nods the poppy[350] on his brows. Here, in a dusky vale where Lethe rolls, Old Bavius sits,[351] to dip poetic souls, And blunt the sense, and fit it for a skull Of solid proof, impenetrably dull: Instant, when dipp'd, away they wing their flight, Where Brown and Mears[352] unbar the gates of light, Demand new bodies, and in calf's array Rush to the world, impatient for the day. 30 Millions and millions on these banks he views, Thick as the stars of night, or morning dews, As thick as bees o'er vernal blossoms fly, As thick as eggs at Ward in pillory.[353] Wond'ring he gazed: when, lo! a sage appears, By his broad shoulders known, and length of ears, Known by the band and suit which Settle[354] wore (His only suit) for twice three years before: All as the vest appear'd the wearer's frame, Old in new state--another, yet the same. 40 Bland and familiar as in life, begun Thus the great father to the greater son: