Footnotes1.The Duke of Marlborough.2.Westminster Abbey.3.Founders of New College, Corpus Christi, and All Souls, in Oxford; of all which the author was a member.4.Here she embraces them.5.Val. Max.6.Horace.7.A famous statue.8.A famous tailor.9.This refers to the first satire.10.The name of a tulip.11.Letters sent to the author, signed Marcus.12.Milton.13.A Danish dog of the Duke of Argyle.14.Lap-dog.15.Shakespeare.16.——Solem quis dicere falsumAudeat?Virg.17.Shakespeare.18.Milton.19.Amphitryon.20.The king in danger by sea.21.Hom. Il. lib. I.22.Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.Virg.23.A new fund for Greenwich hospital, recommended from the throne.24.Written soon after King George the First's accession.25.It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.26.The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.27.The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind, (so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there happeneddignus vindice nodus,) is fictitious; but is a fiction more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since. Frequent before the law were the appearances of the Almighty after this manner, Exod. c. xix. Ezek. c. i. &c. Hence is he said to "dwell in thick darkness: and have his way in the whirlwind."28.There is a very great air in all that precedes, but this is signally sublime. We are struck with admiration to see the vast and ungovernable ocean receiving commands, and punctually obeying them; to find it like a managed horse, raging, tossing, and foaming, but by the rule and direction of its master. This passage yields in sublimity to that of "Let there be light," &c., so much only as the absolute government of nature yields to the creation of it.29.Another argument that Moses was the author, is, that most of the creatures here mentioned are Egyptian. The reason given why the raven is particularly mentioned as an object of the care of Providence, is, because by her clamorous and importunate voice, she particularly seems always calling upon it; thence [Greek: korassô, a korax], Ælian. l. ii. c. 48, is "to ask earnestly." And since there were ravens on the bank of the Nile more clamorous than the rest of that species, those probably are meant in that place.30.There are many instances of this bird's stupidity: let two suffice. First, it covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight,Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.Claud.Secondly, they that go in pursuit of them, draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other.They have so little brain, that Heliogabalus had six hundred heads for his supper.Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author, just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then hastens to another. A description is exact when you cannot add, but what is common to another thing; nor withdraw, but something peculiarly belonging to the thing described. A likeness is lost in too much description, as a meaning often in too much illustration.31.Here is marked another peculiar quality of this creature, which neither flies nor runs directly, but has a motion composed of both, and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed.Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.Claud. in Eutr.32.Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed.33.Though this bird is but just mentioned in my author, I could not forbear going a little farther, and spreading those beautiful plumes (which are there shut up) in half a dozen lines. The circumstance I have marked of his opening his plumes to the sun is true. Expandit colores adverso maxime sole, quia sic fulgentius radiant. Plin. l. x. c. 20.34.Thyanus (de Re Accip.) mentions a hawk that flew from Paris to London in a night.And the Egyptians, in regard to its swiftness, made it their symbol for the wind; for which reason we may suppose the hawk, as well as the crow above, to have been a bird of note in Egypt.35.The eagle is said to be of so acute a sight, that when she is so high in air that man cannot see her, she can discern the smallest fish under water. My author accurately understood the nature of the creatures he describes, and seems to have been a naturalist as well as a poet, which the next note will confirm.36.The meaning of this question is, Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth? For to know the time only was easy, and had nothing extraordinary in it; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called Seselis, which facilitates the birth. Thunder also (which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence) has the same effect. Ps. xxix. In so early an age to observe these things, may style our author a naturalist.37.Pursuing their prey by night is true of most wild beasts, particularly the lion. Ps. cvi. 20. The Arabians have one among their five hundred names for the lion, which signifies "the hunter by moonshine."38.Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelamFerre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.Stat. Theb. vii. 349.Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuFlumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.Let not then this hyperbole seem too much for an eastern poet, though some commentators of name strain hard in this place for a new construction, through fear of it.39.The taking the crocodile is most difficult. Diodorus says, they are not to be taken but by iron nets. When Augustus conquered Egypt, he struck a medal, the impress of which was a crocodile chained to a palm-tree, with this inscription, Nemo antea religavit.40.This alludes to a custom of this creature, which is, when sated with fish, to come ashore and sleep among the reeds.41.The crocodile's mouth is exceeding wide. When he gapes, says Pliny, sic totum os. Martial says to his old woman,Cum comparata rictibus tuis oraNiliacus habet crocodilus angusta.So that the expression there is barely just.42.This too is nearer the truth than at first view may be imagined. The crocodile, say the naturalists, lying long under water, and being there forced to hold its breath, when it emerges, the breath long represt is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concerning him:Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.By this and the foregoing note I would caution against a false opinion of the eastern boldness, from passages in them ill understood.43."His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." I think this gives us as great an image of the thing it would express as can enter the thought of man. It is not improbable that the Egyptians stole their hieroglyphic for the morning, which is the crocodile's eye, from this passage, though no commentator, I have seen, mentions it. It is easy to conceive how the Egyptians should be both readers and admirers of the writings of Moses, whom I suppose the author of this poem.I have observed already that three or four of the creatures here described are Egyptian; the two last are notoriously so, they are the river-horse and the crocodile, those celebrated inhabitants of the Nile; and on these two it is that our author chiefly dwells. It would have been expected from an author more remote from that river than Moses, in a catalogue of creatures produced to magnify their Creator, to have dwelt on the two largest works of his hand, viz. the elephant and the whale. This is so natural an expectation, that some commentators have rendered behemoth and leviathan, the elephant and whale, though the descriptions in our author will not admit of it; but Moses being, as we may well suppose, under an immediate terror of the hippopotamus and crocodile, from their daily mischiefs and ravages around him, it is very accountable why he should permit them to take place.44.Though the report was propagated without the least truth, it may be sufficient ground to justify a poetical fancy's enlarging on it.45.Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the eighth son of the Duke of St. Albans, who was one of the sons of King Charles the Second. He was born in the year 1711; and, being regularly bred to the sea service, in 1731 he was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Ludlow Castle; and he commanded the Prince Frederick at the attack of the harbour of Carthagena, March 24, 1741. This young nobleman was one of the most promising commanders in the king's service. When on the desperate attack of the castle of Bocca Chica, at the entrance of the said harbour, he lost his life, both his legs being first shot off. The prose part of the inscription on his monument was the production of Mrs. Mary Jones of Oxford; who also wrote a poem on his death, printed in her Miscellanies, 8vo, 1752.—R.46.Lord Sommers procured a pension for Mr. Addison, which enabled him to prosecute his travels.—R.47.The publication of his Works.48.The invader affects the character of Charles XII. of Sweden.49.Mrs. M——.50.Whilst the author was writing this, he received the news of Mr. Samuel Richardson's death, who was then printing the former part of the poem.51.Mrs. Montague.52.Mrs. Montague.53.Mrs. Montague. Mrs Carter.54.Candide.55.Second Part.56.Ephes. vi. 17.57.Which his romance ridicules.58.Isaiah lvii. 15.59.Letter to Lord Lyttelton.60.Alluding to Prussia.61.Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter.62.An ancestor of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who conquered France, drawn by Shakespeare.—Young.63.See his lordship's tragedy entitled "Heroic Love." —Young.64.His lordship's nephew, who took orders.—Young.65.The author here bewails that most ingenious gentleman, Mr. William Harrison, fellow of New-College, Oxon.—Young. [See a more particular account of him in the Supplement to Swift.]66.His late majesty's benefaction for modern languages.67.Boileau.68.A Poetical Epistle from the late Lord Melcombe to the Earl of Bute, with corrections by the author of the Night Thoughts, was published in 4to, 1776.69.See Mr. Cust's Life of Young.
Footnotes1.The Duke of Marlborough.2.Westminster Abbey.3.Founders of New College, Corpus Christi, and All Souls, in Oxford; of all which the author was a member.4.Here she embraces them.5.Val. Max.6.Horace.7.A famous statue.8.A famous tailor.9.This refers to the first satire.10.The name of a tulip.11.Letters sent to the author, signed Marcus.12.Milton.13.A Danish dog of the Duke of Argyle.14.Lap-dog.15.Shakespeare.16.——Solem quis dicere falsumAudeat?Virg.17.Shakespeare.18.Milton.19.Amphitryon.20.The king in danger by sea.21.Hom. Il. lib. I.22.Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.Virg.23.A new fund for Greenwich hospital, recommended from the throne.24.Written soon after King George the First's accession.25.It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.26.The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.27.The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind, (so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there happeneddignus vindice nodus,) is fictitious; but is a fiction more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since. Frequent before the law were the appearances of the Almighty after this manner, Exod. c. xix. Ezek. c. i. &c. Hence is he said to "dwell in thick darkness: and have his way in the whirlwind."28.There is a very great air in all that precedes, but this is signally sublime. We are struck with admiration to see the vast and ungovernable ocean receiving commands, and punctually obeying them; to find it like a managed horse, raging, tossing, and foaming, but by the rule and direction of its master. This passage yields in sublimity to that of "Let there be light," &c., so much only as the absolute government of nature yields to the creation of it.29.Another argument that Moses was the author, is, that most of the creatures here mentioned are Egyptian. The reason given why the raven is particularly mentioned as an object of the care of Providence, is, because by her clamorous and importunate voice, she particularly seems always calling upon it; thence [Greek: korassô, a korax], Ælian. l. ii. c. 48, is "to ask earnestly." And since there were ravens on the bank of the Nile more clamorous than the rest of that species, those probably are meant in that place.30.There are many instances of this bird's stupidity: let two suffice. First, it covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight,Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.Claud.Secondly, they that go in pursuit of them, draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other.They have so little brain, that Heliogabalus had six hundred heads for his supper.Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author, just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then hastens to another. A description is exact when you cannot add, but what is common to another thing; nor withdraw, but something peculiarly belonging to the thing described. A likeness is lost in too much description, as a meaning often in too much illustration.31.Here is marked another peculiar quality of this creature, which neither flies nor runs directly, but has a motion composed of both, and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed.Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.Claud. in Eutr.32.Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed.33.Though this bird is but just mentioned in my author, I could not forbear going a little farther, and spreading those beautiful plumes (which are there shut up) in half a dozen lines. The circumstance I have marked of his opening his plumes to the sun is true. Expandit colores adverso maxime sole, quia sic fulgentius radiant. Plin. l. x. c. 20.34.Thyanus (de Re Accip.) mentions a hawk that flew from Paris to London in a night.And the Egyptians, in regard to its swiftness, made it their symbol for the wind; for which reason we may suppose the hawk, as well as the crow above, to have been a bird of note in Egypt.35.The eagle is said to be of so acute a sight, that when she is so high in air that man cannot see her, she can discern the smallest fish under water. My author accurately understood the nature of the creatures he describes, and seems to have been a naturalist as well as a poet, which the next note will confirm.36.The meaning of this question is, Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth? For to know the time only was easy, and had nothing extraordinary in it; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called Seselis, which facilitates the birth. Thunder also (which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence) has the same effect. Ps. xxix. In so early an age to observe these things, may style our author a naturalist.37.Pursuing their prey by night is true of most wild beasts, particularly the lion. Ps. cvi. 20. The Arabians have one among their five hundred names for the lion, which signifies "the hunter by moonshine."38.Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelamFerre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.Stat. Theb. vii. 349.Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuFlumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.Let not then this hyperbole seem too much for an eastern poet, though some commentators of name strain hard in this place for a new construction, through fear of it.39.The taking the crocodile is most difficult. Diodorus says, they are not to be taken but by iron nets. When Augustus conquered Egypt, he struck a medal, the impress of which was a crocodile chained to a palm-tree, with this inscription, Nemo antea religavit.40.This alludes to a custom of this creature, which is, when sated with fish, to come ashore and sleep among the reeds.41.The crocodile's mouth is exceeding wide. When he gapes, says Pliny, sic totum os. Martial says to his old woman,Cum comparata rictibus tuis oraNiliacus habet crocodilus angusta.So that the expression there is barely just.42.This too is nearer the truth than at first view may be imagined. The crocodile, say the naturalists, lying long under water, and being there forced to hold its breath, when it emerges, the breath long represt is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concerning him:Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.By this and the foregoing note I would caution against a false opinion of the eastern boldness, from passages in them ill understood.43."His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." I think this gives us as great an image of the thing it would express as can enter the thought of man. It is not improbable that the Egyptians stole their hieroglyphic for the morning, which is the crocodile's eye, from this passage, though no commentator, I have seen, mentions it. It is easy to conceive how the Egyptians should be both readers and admirers of the writings of Moses, whom I suppose the author of this poem.I have observed already that three or four of the creatures here described are Egyptian; the two last are notoriously so, they are the river-horse and the crocodile, those celebrated inhabitants of the Nile; and on these two it is that our author chiefly dwells. It would have been expected from an author more remote from that river than Moses, in a catalogue of creatures produced to magnify their Creator, to have dwelt on the two largest works of his hand, viz. the elephant and the whale. This is so natural an expectation, that some commentators have rendered behemoth and leviathan, the elephant and whale, though the descriptions in our author will not admit of it; but Moses being, as we may well suppose, under an immediate terror of the hippopotamus and crocodile, from their daily mischiefs and ravages around him, it is very accountable why he should permit them to take place.44.Though the report was propagated without the least truth, it may be sufficient ground to justify a poetical fancy's enlarging on it.45.Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the eighth son of the Duke of St. Albans, who was one of the sons of King Charles the Second. He was born in the year 1711; and, being regularly bred to the sea service, in 1731 he was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Ludlow Castle; and he commanded the Prince Frederick at the attack of the harbour of Carthagena, March 24, 1741. This young nobleman was one of the most promising commanders in the king's service. When on the desperate attack of the castle of Bocca Chica, at the entrance of the said harbour, he lost his life, both his legs being first shot off. The prose part of the inscription on his monument was the production of Mrs. Mary Jones of Oxford; who also wrote a poem on his death, printed in her Miscellanies, 8vo, 1752.—R.46.Lord Sommers procured a pension for Mr. Addison, which enabled him to prosecute his travels.—R.47.The publication of his Works.48.The invader affects the character of Charles XII. of Sweden.49.Mrs. M——.50.Whilst the author was writing this, he received the news of Mr. Samuel Richardson's death, who was then printing the former part of the poem.51.Mrs. Montague.52.Mrs. Montague.53.Mrs. Montague. Mrs Carter.54.Candide.55.Second Part.56.Ephes. vi. 17.57.Which his romance ridicules.58.Isaiah lvii. 15.59.Letter to Lord Lyttelton.60.Alluding to Prussia.61.Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter.62.An ancestor of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who conquered France, drawn by Shakespeare.—Young.63.See his lordship's tragedy entitled "Heroic Love." —Young.64.His lordship's nephew, who took orders.—Young.65.The author here bewails that most ingenious gentleman, Mr. William Harrison, fellow of New-College, Oxon.—Young. [See a more particular account of him in the Supplement to Swift.]66.His late majesty's benefaction for modern languages.67.Boileau.68.A Poetical Epistle from the late Lord Melcombe to the Earl of Bute, with corrections by the author of the Night Thoughts, was published in 4to, 1776.69.See Mr. Cust's Life of Young.
Footnotes1.The Duke of Marlborough.2.Westminster Abbey.3.Founders of New College, Corpus Christi, and All Souls, in Oxford; of all which the author was a member.4.Here she embraces them.5.Val. Max.6.Horace.7.A famous statue.8.A famous tailor.9.This refers to the first satire.10.The name of a tulip.11.Letters sent to the author, signed Marcus.12.Milton.13.A Danish dog of the Duke of Argyle.14.Lap-dog.15.Shakespeare.16.——Solem quis dicere falsumAudeat?Virg.17.Shakespeare.18.Milton.19.Amphitryon.20.The king in danger by sea.21.Hom. Il. lib. I.22.Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.Virg.23.A new fund for Greenwich hospital, recommended from the throne.24.Written soon after King George the First's accession.25.It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.26.The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.27.The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind, (so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there happeneddignus vindice nodus,) is fictitious; but is a fiction more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since. Frequent before the law were the appearances of the Almighty after this manner, Exod. c. xix. Ezek. c. i. &c. Hence is he said to "dwell in thick darkness: and have his way in the whirlwind."28.There is a very great air in all that precedes, but this is signally sublime. We are struck with admiration to see the vast and ungovernable ocean receiving commands, and punctually obeying them; to find it like a managed horse, raging, tossing, and foaming, but by the rule and direction of its master. This passage yields in sublimity to that of "Let there be light," &c., so much only as the absolute government of nature yields to the creation of it.29.Another argument that Moses was the author, is, that most of the creatures here mentioned are Egyptian. The reason given why the raven is particularly mentioned as an object of the care of Providence, is, because by her clamorous and importunate voice, she particularly seems always calling upon it; thence [Greek: korassô, a korax], Ælian. l. ii. c. 48, is "to ask earnestly." And since there were ravens on the bank of the Nile more clamorous than the rest of that species, those probably are meant in that place.30.There are many instances of this bird's stupidity: let two suffice. First, it covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight,Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.Claud.Secondly, they that go in pursuit of them, draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other.They have so little brain, that Heliogabalus had six hundred heads for his supper.Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author, just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then hastens to another. A description is exact when you cannot add, but what is common to another thing; nor withdraw, but something peculiarly belonging to the thing described. A likeness is lost in too much description, as a meaning often in too much illustration.31.Here is marked another peculiar quality of this creature, which neither flies nor runs directly, but has a motion composed of both, and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed.Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.Claud. in Eutr.32.Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed.33.Though this bird is but just mentioned in my author, I could not forbear going a little farther, and spreading those beautiful plumes (which are there shut up) in half a dozen lines. The circumstance I have marked of his opening his plumes to the sun is true. Expandit colores adverso maxime sole, quia sic fulgentius radiant. Plin. l. x. c. 20.34.Thyanus (de Re Accip.) mentions a hawk that flew from Paris to London in a night.And the Egyptians, in regard to its swiftness, made it their symbol for the wind; for which reason we may suppose the hawk, as well as the crow above, to have been a bird of note in Egypt.35.The eagle is said to be of so acute a sight, that when she is so high in air that man cannot see her, she can discern the smallest fish under water. My author accurately understood the nature of the creatures he describes, and seems to have been a naturalist as well as a poet, which the next note will confirm.36.The meaning of this question is, Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth? For to know the time only was easy, and had nothing extraordinary in it; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called Seselis, which facilitates the birth. Thunder also (which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence) has the same effect. Ps. xxix. In so early an age to observe these things, may style our author a naturalist.37.Pursuing their prey by night is true of most wild beasts, particularly the lion. Ps. cvi. 20. The Arabians have one among their five hundred names for the lion, which signifies "the hunter by moonshine."38.Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelamFerre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.Stat. Theb. vii. 349.Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuFlumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.Let not then this hyperbole seem too much for an eastern poet, though some commentators of name strain hard in this place for a new construction, through fear of it.39.The taking the crocodile is most difficult. Diodorus says, they are not to be taken but by iron nets. When Augustus conquered Egypt, he struck a medal, the impress of which was a crocodile chained to a palm-tree, with this inscription, Nemo antea religavit.40.This alludes to a custom of this creature, which is, when sated with fish, to come ashore and sleep among the reeds.41.The crocodile's mouth is exceeding wide. When he gapes, says Pliny, sic totum os. Martial says to his old woman,Cum comparata rictibus tuis oraNiliacus habet crocodilus angusta.So that the expression there is barely just.42.This too is nearer the truth than at first view may be imagined. The crocodile, say the naturalists, lying long under water, and being there forced to hold its breath, when it emerges, the breath long represt is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concerning him:Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.By this and the foregoing note I would caution against a false opinion of the eastern boldness, from passages in them ill understood.43."His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." I think this gives us as great an image of the thing it would express as can enter the thought of man. It is not improbable that the Egyptians stole their hieroglyphic for the morning, which is the crocodile's eye, from this passage, though no commentator, I have seen, mentions it. It is easy to conceive how the Egyptians should be both readers and admirers of the writings of Moses, whom I suppose the author of this poem.I have observed already that three or four of the creatures here described are Egyptian; the two last are notoriously so, they are the river-horse and the crocodile, those celebrated inhabitants of the Nile; and on these two it is that our author chiefly dwells. It would have been expected from an author more remote from that river than Moses, in a catalogue of creatures produced to magnify their Creator, to have dwelt on the two largest works of his hand, viz. the elephant and the whale. This is so natural an expectation, that some commentators have rendered behemoth and leviathan, the elephant and whale, though the descriptions in our author will not admit of it; but Moses being, as we may well suppose, under an immediate terror of the hippopotamus and crocodile, from their daily mischiefs and ravages around him, it is very accountable why he should permit them to take place.44.Though the report was propagated without the least truth, it may be sufficient ground to justify a poetical fancy's enlarging on it.45.Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the eighth son of the Duke of St. Albans, who was one of the sons of King Charles the Second. He was born in the year 1711; and, being regularly bred to the sea service, in 1731 he was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Ludlow Castle; and he commanded the Prince Frederick at the attack of the harbour of Carthagena, March 24, 1741. This young nobleman was one of the most promising commanders in the king's service. When on the desperate attack of the castle of Bocca Chica, at the entrance of the said harbour, he lost his life, both his legs being first shot off. The prose part of the inscription on his monument was the production of Mrs. Mary Jones of Oxford; who also wrote a poem on his death, printed in her Miscellanies, 8vo, 1752.—R.46.Lord Sommers procured a pension for Mr. Addison, which enabled him to prosecute his travels.—R.47.The publication of his Works.48.The invader affects the character of Charles XII. of Sweden.49.Mrs. M——.50.Whilst the author was writing this, he received the news of Mr. Samuel Richardson's death, who was then printing the former part of the poem.51.Mrs. Montague.52.Mrs. Montague.53.Mrs. Montague. Mrs Carter.54.Candide.55.Second Part.56.Ephes. vi. 17.57.Which his romance ridicules.58.Isaiah lvii. 15.59.Letter to Lord Lyttelton.60.Alluding to Prussia.61.Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter.62.An ancestor of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who conquered France, drawn by Shakespeare.—Young.63.See his lordship's tragedy entitled "Heroic Love." —Young.64.His lordship's nephew, who took orders.—Young.65.The author here bewails that most ingenious gentleman, Mr. William Harrison, fellow of New-College, Oxon.—Young. [See a more particular account of him in the Supplement to Swift.]66.His late majesty's benefaction for modern languages.67.Boileau.68.A Poetical Epistle from the late Lord Melcombe to the Earl of Bute, with corrections by the author of the Night Thoughts, was published in 4to, 1776.69.See Mr. Cust's Life of Young.
Footnotes1.The Duke of Marlborough.2.Westminster Abbey.3.Founders of New College, Corpus Christi, and All Souls, in Oxford; of all which the author was a member.4.Here she embraces them.5.Val. Max.6.Horace.7.A famous statue.8.A famous tailor.9.This refers to the first satire.10.The name of a tulip.11.Letters sent to the author, signed Marcus.12.Milton.13.A Danish dog of the Duke of Argyle.14.Lap-dog.15.Shakespeare.16.——Solem quis dicere falsumAudeat?Virg.17.Shakespeare.18.Milton.19.Amphitryon.20.The king in danger by sea.21.Hom. Il. lib. I.22.Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.Virg.23.A new fund for Greenwich hospital, recommended from the throne.24.Written soon after King George the First's accession.25.It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.26.The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.27.The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind, (so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there happeneddignus vindice nodus,) is fictitious; but is a fiction more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since. Frequent before the law were the appearances of the Almighty after this manner, Exod. c. xix. Ezek. c. i. &c. Hence is he said to "dwell in thick darkness: and have his way in the whirlwind."28.There is a very great air in all that precedes, but this is signally sublime. We are struck with admiration to see the vast and ungovernable ocean receiving commands, and punctually obeying them; to find it like a managed horse, raging, tossing, and foaming, but by the rule and direction of its master. This passage yields in sublimity to that of "Let there be light," &c., so much only as the absolute government of nature yields to the creation of it.29.Another argument that Moses was the author, is, that most of the creatures here mentioned are Egyptian. The reason given why the raven is particularly mentioned as an object of the care of Providence, is, because by her clamorous and importunate voice, she particularly seems always calling upon it; thence [Greek: korassô, a korax], Ælian. l. ii. c. 48, is "to ask earnestly." And since there were ravens on the bank of the Nile more clamorous than the rest of that species, those probably are meant in that place.30.There are many instances of this bird's stupidity: let two suffice. First, it covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight,Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.Claud.Secondly, they that go in pursuit of them, draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other.They have so little brain, that Heliogabalus had six hundred heads for his supper.Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author, just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then hastens to another. A description is exact when you cannot add, but what is common to another thing; nor withdraw, but something peculiarly belonging to the thing described. A likeness is lost in too much description, as a meaning often in too much illustration.31.Here is marked another peculiar quality of this creature, which neither flies nor runs directly, but has a motion composed of both, and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed.Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.Claud. in Eutr.32.Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed.33.Though this bird is but just mentioned in my author, I could not forbear going a little farther, and spreading those beautiful plumes (which are there shut up) in half a dozen lines. The circumstance I have marked of his opening his plumes to the sun is true. Expandit colores adverso maxime sole, quia sic fulgentius radiant. Plin. l. x. c. 20.34.Thyanus (de Re Accip.) mentions a hawk that flew from Paris to London in a night.And the Egyptians, in regard to its swiftness, made it their symbol for the wind; for which reason we may suppose the hawk, as well as the crow above, to have been a bird of note in Egypt.35.The eagle is said to be of so acute a sight, that when she is so high in air that man cannot see her, she can discern the smallest fish under water. My author accurately understood the nature of the creatures he describes, and seems to have been a naturalist as well as a poet, which the next note will confirm.36.The meaning of this question is, Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth? For to know the time only was easy, and had nothing extraordinary in it; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called Seselis, which facilitates the birth. Thunder also (which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence) has the same effect. Ps. xxix. In so early an age to observe these things, may style our author a naturalist.37.Pursuing their prey by night is true of most wild beasts, particularly the lion. Ps. cvi. 20. The Arabians have one among their five hundred names for the lion, which signifies "the hunter by moonshine."38.Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelamFerre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.Stat. Theb. vii. 349.Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuFlumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.Let not then this hyperbole seem too much for an eastern poet, though some commentators of name strain hard in this place for a new construction, through fear of it.39.The taking the crocodile is most difficult. Diodorus says, they are not to be taken but by iron nets. When Augustus conquered Egypt, he struck a medal, the impress of which was a crocodile chained to a palm-tree, with this inscription, Nemo antea religavit.40.This alludes to a custom of this creature, which is, when sated with fish, to come ashore and sleep among the reeds.41.The crocodile's mouth is exceeding wide. When he gapes, says Pliny, sic totum os. Martial says to his old woman,Cum comparata rictibus tuis oraNiliacus habet crocodilus angusta.So that the expression there is barely just.42.This too is nearer the truth than at first view may be imagined. The crocodile, say the naturalists, lying long under water, and being there forced to hold its breath, when it emerges, the breath long represt is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concerning him:Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.By this and the foregoing note I would caution against a false opinion of the eastern boldness, from passages in them ill understood.43."His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." I think this gives us as great an image of the thing it would express as can enter the thought of man. It is not improbable that the Egyptians stole their hieroglyphic for the morning, which is the crocodile's eye, from this passage, though no commentator, I have seen, mentions it. It is easy to conceive how the Egyptians should be both readers and admirers of the writings of Moses, whom I suppose the author of this poem.I have observed already that three or four of the creatures here described are Egyptian; the two last are notoriously so, they are the river-horse and the crocodile, those celebrated inhabitants of the Nile; and on these two it is that our author chiefly dwells. It would have been expected from an author more remote from that river than Moses, in a catalogue of creatures produced to magnify their Creator, to have dwelt on the two largest works of his hand, viz. the elephant and the whale. This is so natural an expectation, that some commentators have rendered behemoth and leviathan, the elephant and whale, though the descriptions in our author will not admit of it; but Moses being, as we may well suppose, under an immediate terror of the hippopotamus and crocodile, from their daily mischiefs and ravages around him, it is very accountable why he should permit them to take place.44.Though the report was propagated without the least truth, it may be sufficient ground to justify a poetical fancy's enlarging on it.45.Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the eighth son of the Duke of St. Albans, who was one of the sons of King Charles the Second. He was born in the year 1711; and, being regularly bred to the sea service, in 1731 he was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Ludlow Castle; and he commanded the Prince Frederick at the attack of the harbour of Carthagena, March 24, 1741. This young nobleman was one of the most promising commanders in the king's service. When on the desperate attack of the castle of Bocca Chica, at the entrance of the said harbour, he lost his life, both his legs being first shot off. The prose part of the inscription on his monument was the production of Mrs. Mary Jones of Oxford; who also wrote a poem on his death, printed in her Miscellanies, 8vo, 1752.—R.46.Lord Sommers procured a pension for Mr. Addison, which enabled him to prosecute his travels.—R.47.The publication of his Works.48.The invader affects the character of Charles XII. of Sweden.49.Mrs. M——.50.Whilst the author was writing this, he received the news of Mr. Samuel Richardson's death, who was then printing the former part of the poem.51.Mrs. Montague.52.Mrs. Montague.53.Mrs. Montague. Mrs Carter.54.Candide.55.Second Part.56.Ephes. vi. 17.57.Which his romance ridicules.58.Isaiah lvii. 15.59.Letter to Lord Lyttelton.60.Alluding to Prussia.61.Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter.62.An ancestor of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who conquered France, drawn by Shakespeare.—Young.63.See his lordship's tragedy entitled "Heroic Love." —Young.64.His lordship's nephew, who took orders.—Young.65.The author here bewails that most ingenious gentleman, Mr. William Harrison, fellow of New-College, Oxon.—Young. [See a more particular account of him in the Supplement to Swift.]66.His late majesty's benefaction for modern languages.67.Boileau.68.A Poetical Epistle from the late Lord Melcombe to the Earl of Bute, with corrections by the author of the Night Thoughts, was published in 4to, 1776.69.See Mr. Cust's Life of Young.
The Duke of Marlborough.
Westminster Abbey.
Founders of New College, Corpus Christi, and All Souls, in Oxford; of all which the author was a member.
Here she embraces them.
Val. Max.
Horace.
A famous statue.
A famous tailor.
This refers to the first satire.
The name of a tulip.
Letters sent to the author, signed Marcus.
Milton.
A Danish dog of the Duke of Argyle.
Lap-dog.
Shakespeare.
——Solem quis dicere falsumAudeat?
——Solem quis dicere falsum
Audeat?
Virg.
Shakespeare.
Milton.
Amphitryon.
The king in danger by sea.
Hom. Il. lib. I.
Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.
Ecce Deus ramum Lethæo rore madentem, &c.
Virg.
A new fund for Greenwich hospital, recommended from the throne.
Written soon after King George the First's accession.
It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.
The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.
I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.
Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.
The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind, (so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there happeneddignus vindice nodus,) is fictitious; but is a fiction more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since. Frequent before the law were the appearances of the Almighty after this manner, Exod. c. xix. Ezek. c. i. &c. Hence is he said to "dwell in thick darkness: and have his way in the whirlwind."
There is a very great air in all that precedes, but this is signally sublime. We are struck with admiration to see the vast and ungovernable ocean receiving commands, and punctually obeying them; to find it like a managed horse, raging, tossing, and foaming, but by the rule and direction of its master. This passage yields in sublimity to that of "Let there be light," &c., so much only as the absolute government of nature yields to the creation of it.
Another argument that Moses was the author, is, that most of the creatures here mentioned are Egyptian. The reason given why the raven is particularly mentioned as an object of the care of Providence, is, because by her clamorous and importunate voice, she particularly seems always calling upon it; thence [Greek: korassô, a korax], Ælian. l. ii. c. 48, is "to ask earnestly." And since there were ravens on the bank of the Nile more clamorous than the rest of that species, those probably are meant in that place.
There are many instances of this bird's stupidity: let two suffice. First, it covers its head in the reeds, and thinks itself all out of sight,
Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.Claud.
Stat lumine clausoRidendum revoluta caput, creditque latereQuæ non ipsa videt.
Stat lumine clauso
Ridendum revoluta caput, creditque latere
Quæ non ipsa videt.
Claud.
Secondly, they that go in pursuit of them, draw the skin of an ostrich's neck on one hand, which proves a sufficient lure to take them with the other.
They have so little brain, that Heliogabalus had six hundred heads for his supper.
Here we may observe, that our judicious as well as sublime author, just touches the great points of distinction in each creature, and then hastens to another. A description is exact when you cannot add, but what is common to another thing; nor withdraw, but something peculiarly belonging to the thing described. A likeness is lost in too much description, as a meaning often in too much illustration.
Here is marked another peculiar quality of this creature, which neither flies nor runs directly, but has a motion composed of both, and, using its wings as sails, makes great speed.
Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.Claud. in Eutr.
Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus alesCum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennisPulverulenta volat.
Vasta velut Libyæ venantûm vocibus ales
Cum premitur, calidas cursu transmittit arenas,
Inque modum veli sinuatis flamine pennis
Pulverulenta volat.
Claud. in Eutr.
Xenophon says, Cyrus had horses that could overtake the goat and the wild ass; but none that could reach this creature. A thousand golden ducats, or a hundred camels, was the stated price of a horse that could equal their speed.
Though this bird is but just mentioned in my author, I could not forbear going a little farther, and spreading those beautiful plumes (which are there shut up) in half a dozen lines. The circumstance I have marked of his opening his plumes to the sun is true. Expandit colores adverso maxime sole, quia sic fulgentius radiant. Plin. l. x. c. 20.
Thyanus (de Re Accip.) mentions a hawk that flew from Paris to London in a night.
And the Egyptians, in regard to its swiftness, made it their symbol for the wind; for which reason we may suppose the hawk, as well as the crow above, to have been a bird of note in Egypt.
The eagle is said to be of so acute a sight, that when she is so high in air that man cannot see her, she can discern the smallest fish under water. My author accurately understood the nature of the creatures he describes, and seems to have been a naturalist as well as a poet, which the next note will confirm.
The meaning of this question is, Knowest thou the time and circumstances of their bringing forth? For to know the time only was easy, and had nothing extraordinary in it; but the circumstances had something peculiarly expressive of God's providence, which makes the question proper in this place. Pliny observes, that the hind with young is by instinct directed to a certain herb called Seselis, which facilitates the birth. Thunder also (which looks like the more immediate hand of Providence) has the same effect. Ps. xxix. In so early an age to observe these things, may style our author a naturalist.
Pursuing their prey by night is true of most wild beasts, particularly the lion. Ps. cvi. 20. The Arabians have one among their five hundred names for the lion, which signifies "the hunter by moonshine."
Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelamFerre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.
Cephissi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelam
Ferre sitim Python, amnemque avertere ponto.
Stat. Theb. vii. 349.
Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatuFlumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.
Qui spiris tegeret montes, hauriret hiatu
Flumina, &c. Claud. Pref. in Ruf.
Let not then this hyperbole seem too much for an eastern poet, though some commentators of name strain hard in this place for a new construction, through fear of it.
The taking the crocodile is most difficult. Diodorus says, they are not to be taken but by iron nets. When Augustus conquered Egypt, he struck a medal, the impress of which was a crocodile chained to a palm-tree, with this inscription, Nemo antea religavit.
This alludes to a custom of this creature, which is, when sated with fish, to come ashore and sleep among the reeds.
The crocodile's mouth is exceeding wide. When he gapes, says Pliny, sic totum os. Martial says to his old woman,
Cum comparata rictibus tuis oraNiliacus habet crocodilus angusta.
Cum comparata rictibus tuis ora
Niliacus habet crocodilus angusta.
So that the expression there is barely just.
This too is nearer the truth than at first view may be imagined. The crocodile, say the naturalists, lying long under water, and being there forced to hold its breath, when it emerges, the breath long represt is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concerning him:
Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.
Collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem.
By this and the foregoing note I would caution against a false opinion of the eastern boldness, from passages in them ill understood.
"His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning." I think this gives us as great an image of the thing it would express as can enter the thought of man. It is not improbable that the Egyptians stole their hieroglyphic for the morning, which is the crocodile's eye, from this passage, though no commentator, I have seen, mentions it. It is easy to conceive how the Egyptians should be both readers and admirers of the writings of Moses, whom I suppose the author of this poem.
I have observed already that three or four of the creatures here described are Egyptian; the two last are notoriously so, they are the river-horse and the crocodile, those celebrated inhabitants of the Nile; and on these two it is that our author chiefly dwells. It would have been expected from an author more remote from that river than Moses, in a catalogue of creatures produced to magnify their Creator, to have dwelt on the two largest works of his hand, viz. the elephant and the whale. This is so natural an expectation, that some commentators have rendered behemoth and leviathan, the elephant and whale, though the descriptions in our author will not admit of it; but Moses being, as we may well suppose, under an immediate terror of the hippopotamus and crocodile, from their daily mischiefs and ravages around him, it is very accountable why he should permit them to take place.
Though the report was propagated without the least truth, it may be sufficient ground to justify a poetical fancy's enlarging on it.
Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the eighth son of the Duke of St. Albans, who was one of the sons of King Charles the Second. He was born in the year 1711; and, being regularly bred to the sea service, in 1731 he was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Ludlow Castle; and he commanded the Prince Frederick at the attack of the harbour of Carthagena, March 24, 1741. This young nobleman was one of the most promising commanders in the king's service. When on the desperate attack of the castle of Bocca Chica, at the entrance of the said harbour, he lost his life, both his legs being first shot off. The prose part of the inscription on his monument was the production of Mrs. Mary Jones of Oxford; who also wrote a poem on his death, printed in her Miscellanies, 8vo, 1752.—R.
Lord Sommers procured a pension for Mr. Addison, which enabled him to prosecute his travels.—R.
The publication of his Works.
The invader affects the character of Charles XII. of Sweden.
Mrs. M——.
Whilst the author was writing this, he received the news of Mr. Samuel Richardson's death, who was then printing the former part of the poem.
Mrs. Montague.
Mrs. Montague.
Mrs. Montague. Mrs Carter.
Candide.
Second Part.
Ephes. vi. 17.
Which his romance ridicules.
Isaiah lvii. 15.
Letter to Lord Lyttelton.
Alluding to Prussia.
Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter.
An ancestor of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who conquered France, drawn by Shakespeare.—Young.
See his lordship's tragedy entitled "Heroic Love." —Young.
His lordship's nephew, who took orders.—Young.
The author here bewails that most ingenious gentleman, Mr. William Harrison, fellow of New-College, Oxon.—Young. [See a more particular account of him in the Supplement to Swift.]
His late majesty's benefaction for modern languages.
Boileau.
A Poetical Epistle from the late Lord Melcombe to the Earl of Bute, with corrections by the author of the Night Thoughts, was published in 4to, 1776.
See Mr. Cust's Life of Young.