On J. W. ranging PAMPHLETS. Sneyd Davies Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T131163 K104099.005 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. V. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 98-101. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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On J. W. ranging PAMPHLETS . By the Same . WHAT ken mine eyes , enchanted ? man of ease , In elbow chair , and under brow of thought Intense , on some great matter fixt , no doubt : What mean the myrmidons on either hand In paper-coats , and orderly array , Spread far and wide , on table , desk , and stool , Variety of troops , white , purple , pied , And grey , and blue's battalion trim ; and who In marbled regimentals , some in vest Gay edg'd with gold ; of various garb , and tongue , And clime ; extended o'er the wooden plain . Not force more numerous from her teeming loins Pours forth Hungaria to the Danube's bank Croats and Pandeurs : nor the swarming war Of Turk and Nadir , nodding opposite With particolour'd turbans . Sing , O Muse , Their marshal'd numbers , and puissance . First , With sable shield , and arms opaque , advance Divinity polemic , sober rage , Yet deadly ! ( and can rage in minds divine Inhabit ! ) councils , synods , cloysters , schools , Cowl beats off cowl , and mitre mitre knocks . Presbyt'ry here with wither'd face askew , Vengeance demure ; and there devoutly fierce Catholicos , in lawn sprinkled with blood . Not far behind with her divided troops Comes Policy , with democratic shouts On one hand , on the other loud acclaim For pow'r hereditary , and right divine : I see the various portraiture display'd , Brutus and Nimrod , libertines , and slaves , And crowns , and Alluding to the arms impress'd on the money of the Com monwealth of England . breeches flutter in the air . Who next with aspect sage and parchment wav'd Voluminous come on ? I know their beards Historic , see the style acute , with which They fight old Time , maugre his desp'rate scythe , And as he cleaves the pyramid , apply Their puny prop . Hence annals , journals hence , And memoirs , doubtful truth , and certain lies , And tales , and all the magazines of war . What Muse , O Poetry , can pass unsung Thy flowing banners , and gay tent , adorn'd With airy trophies ? or would leave thy name Uncatalogu'd , were it but Nereus-like To beautify the list . Not that thou want'st Th' offensive dart , 'till Satire's quiver fails . All these , and more came flocking ; — but await The dread commander's voice , and dare no more Start from their place , than did the Theban stone , Ere yet Amphion sung . — From side to side The sedentary chief , in studious mood , And deep revolve , darts his experienc'd eye . Forth from his presence hies his aid-de-camp , A sturdy Cambro-Briton , to survey The posture of the field ; from rank to rank Posting succinct . He gives the word , which way The squadrons to advance , where wheel their course . " Vanguard to right and left . " Forthwith the bands , As at the sound of trump , obedient move In perfect phalanx . Each their station knows And quarters , as the general's will ordains . First to its place spontaneous Verse repairs , Knowing the call , and practis'd to obey His summons . Peaceful Controversy sheaths Her claws , contracted to make room for Scot And Tom. Aquinas , slumb'ring side by side ; And Bellarmine , and Luther , heard no more Than Delphi's shrine , or Memnon's statue dumb . All , all , in order due and silence , look A modern convocation . Hist'ry lies By hist'ry , — Hyde and Oldmixon agree . Which when the marshal , from his easy chair Of callimanco , saw ; knit his calm brows Thoughtful , and thus th' assembled leaves bespoke . Ye hierarchies , and commonweals , and thrones , Folios , octavos , and ye minor pow'rs Of paper , ere to winter-quarters sent , Hear me , ye list'ning books . First I direct Submission to your lord and faith entire . Did I not list you , and enroll your names On parchment ? See the volume ; look at me . Did I not mark you ( as the Prussian late His subjects ) badge of service when requir'd ? 'Tis well , — and let me next , ye flimsy peers , Love brother-like and union recommend : Live peaceful , as by me together tied In bands of strictest amity : shou'd then Your master lend you to some neighb'ring state Auxiliaries ; remember ye preserve Your first allegiance pure , and chearful home Return , when summon'd by your natural prince . Be humble , nor repine , tho' smear'd with ink And dust inglorious ; know your birth and end , For rags ye were , and must to rags return .