To guilty deeds; nor Reason bound in chains, That Vice alone may lord it: oft adorn'd With solemn pageants, Folly mounts the throne, And plays her idiot antics, like a queen. A thousand garbs she wears; a thousand ways She wheels her giddy empire.--Lo! thus far 70 With bold adventure, to the Mantuan lyre I sing of Nature's charms, and touch well pleased A stricter note: now haply must my song Unbend her serious measure, and reveal In lighter strains, how Folly's awkward arts [Endnote Y] Excite impetuous Laughter's gay rebuke; The sportive province of the comic Muse. See! in what crowds the uncouth forms advance: Each would outstrip the other, each prevent Our careful search, and offer to your gaze, 80 Unask'd, his motley features. Wait awhile, My curious friends! and let us first arrange In proper order your promiscuous throng. Behold the foremost band; [Endnote Z] of slender thought, And easy faith; whom flattering Fancy soothes With lying spectres, in themselves to view Illustrious forms of excellence and good, That scorn the mansion. With exulting hearts They spread their spurious treasures to the sun, And bid the world admire! But chief the glance 90 Of wishful Envy draws their joy-bright eyes, And lifts with self-applause each lordly brow. In number boundless as the blooms of Spring, Behold their glaring idols, empty shades By Fancy gilded o'er, and then set up For adoration. Some in Learning's garb, With formal band, and sable-cinctured gown, And rags of mouldy volumes. Some elate With martial splendour, steely pikes and swords Of costly frame, and gay Phoenician robes 100 Inwrought with flowery gold, assume the port Of stately Valour: listening by his side There stands a female form; to her, with looks Of earnest import, pregnant with amaze, He talks of deadly deeds, of breaches, storms, And sulphurous mines, and ambush: then at once Breaks off, and smiles to see her look so pale, And asks some wondering question of her fears. Others of graver mien; behold, adorn'd With holy ensigns, how sublime they move, 110 And bending oft their sanctimonious eyes Take homage of the simple-minded throng; Ambassadors of Heaven! Nor much unlike Is he, whose visage in the lazy mist That mantles every feature, hides a brood Of politic conceits, of whispers, nods, And hints deep omen'd with unwieldy schemes, And dark portents of state. Ten thousand more, Prodigious habits and tumultuous tongues, Pour dauntless in and swell the boastful band. 120