Remarks.
V. 176 ―――for pious passion to the youth.
] The verse is a literal translation of Virgil, Nisus amore pio pueri—and here, as in the original, apply’d to Friendship: That between Nisus and Euryalus is allowed to make one of the most amiable Episodes in the world, and surely was never interpreted in a perverse sense. But it will astonish the reader to hear, that on no other occasion than this line, a Dedication was written to this Gentleman to induce him to think something further. Sir, you are known to have all that affection for the beautiful part of the creation which God and Nature design’d.—Sir, you have a very fine Lady—and, Sir, you have eight very fine Children, —&c.
[Dedic. to Dennis Rem. on the Rape of the Lock.] The truth is, the poor Dedicator’s brain was turn’d upon this article; he had taken into his head that ever since some books were written against the Stage, and since the Italian Opera had prevail’d, the nation was infected with a vice not fit to be nam’d: He went so far as to print upon the subject, and concludes his argument with this remark, that he cannot help thinking the Obscenity of Plays excusable at this juncture; since, when that execrable sin is spread so wide, it may be of use to the reducing mens minds to the natural desire of women.
Den
Imitations.
V. 181. But who is he
, &c.] Virg. Aen. 6. questions and answers in this manner, of Numa,
Quis procul ille autem ramis insignis olivae Sacra ferens?—nosco crines, incanaque menta, &c.
Remarks.
nis, Stage defended against Mr. Law, p. 20. Our author solemnly declared, he never heard any creature but the Dedicator mention that Vice and this Gentleman together.
V. 184. Wormius hight.
] Let not this name, purely fictitious, be conceited to mean the learned Olaus Wormius; much less (as it was unwarrantably foisted into the surreptitious editions) our own Antiquary Mr Thomas Herne, who had no way aggrieved our Poet, but on the contrary published many curious tracts which he hath to his great contentment perused.
Most rightly are ancient Words here employed, in speaking of such who so greatly delight in the same: We may say not only rightly, but wisely, yea excellently, inasmuch as for the like practise the like praise is given to Hopkins and Sternhold by Mr. Herne himself. [Glossar. to Rob. of Glocester.] Artic. Behett; others say Behight, promised, and so it is used excellently well by Tho. Norton in his translation into metre of the 116 Psalm, verse 14.
I to the Lord will pay my vows, That I to him behight.
Where the modern innovators, not understanding the propriety of the word (which is truly English, from the Saxon) have most unwarrantably alter’d it thus,
I to the Lord will pay my vows, With joy and great delight.
V. ibid.―――Hight, In Cumberland they say to hight, for to promise or vow; but hight usually signifies was call’d; and so it does in the North even to this day, notwithstanding what is done in Cumberland.
Herne, ibid.
V. 183. Arede.
] Read or peruse; tho’ sometimes used for counsel, Reade thy read, take thy counsaile.