_Queen_. He is, indeed,[1] a helmet to us all; While he supports we need not fear to fall; His arm despatches all things to our wish? And serves up ev'ry foe's head in a dish. Void is the mistress of the house of care, While the good cook presents the bill of fare; Whether the cod, that northern king of fish, Or duck, or goose, or pig, adorn the dish, No fears the number of her guests afford, But at her hour she sees the dinner on the board. [Footnote 1: "I have heard of being supported by a staff," says Mr D., "but never of being supported by a helmet." I believe he never heard of sailing with wings, which he may read in no less a poet than Mr Dryden: Unless we borrow wings, and sail through air. --_Love Triumphant_. What will he say to a kneeling valley? ----I'll stand Like a safe valley, that low bends the knee To some aspiring mountain. --_Injured Love_. I am ashamed of so ignorant a carper, who doth not know that an epithet in tragedy is very often no other than an expletive. Do not we read in the New Sophonisba of "grinding chains, blue plagues, white occasions, and blue serenity?" Nay, it is not the adjective only, but sometimes half a sentence is put by way of expletive, as, "Beauty pointed high with spirit," in the same play; and, "In the lap of blessing, to be most curst," in the Revenge. ] SCENE VII.--_Plain_.--GRIZZLE, FOODLE, Rebels. _Griz_. Thus far our arms with victory are crown'd; For, though we have not fought, yet we have found [1] No enemy to fight withal. [Footnote 1: A victory like that of Almanzor: Almanzor is victorious without fight.--_Conq. of Granada_. ] _Food_. Yet I, Methinks, would willingly avoid this day, [1] This first of April, to engage our foes. [Footnote 1: Well have we chose an happy day for fight; For every man, in course of time, has found Some days are lucky, some unfortunate.--_King Arthur_. ] _Griz_. This day, of all the days of th' year, I'd choose, For on this day my grandmother was born. Gods! I will make Tom Thumb an April-fool; [1] Will teach his wit an errand it ne'er knew, And send it post to the Elysian shades. [Footnote 1: We read of such another in Lee: Teach his rude wit a flight she never made, And send her post to the Elysian shade.--_Gloriana_. ] _Food_. I'm glad to find our army is so stout, Nor does it move my wonder less than joy. _Griz_. [1] What friends we have, and how we came so strong, I'll softly tell you as we march along. [Footnote 1: These lines are copied verbatim in the Indian Emperor.] SCENE VIII.--_Thunder and Lightning_.--TOM THUMB, GLUMDALCA, _cum suis_. _Thumb_. Oh, Noodle! hast thou seen a day like this? [1] The unborn thunder rumbles o'er our heads, [2] As if the gods meant to unhinge the world, And heaven and earth in wild confusion hurl; Yet will I boldly tread the tott'ring ball. [Footnote 1: Unborn thunder rolling in a cloud.--_Conq. of Granada_. ] [Footnote 2: