The Descent Of Dullness

[From the 'Dunciad', Book IV]


In vain, in vain--the all-composing Hour
Resistless falls: the Muse obeys the Pow'r.
She comes! she comes! the sable Throne behold
Of primæval and of old!
Before her, gilded clouds decay,
And all its varying Rain-bows die away.
shoots in vain its momentary fires,
The meteor drops, and in a flash expires.
As one by one, at dread Medea's strain,
The sick'ning stars fade off th' ethereal plain;
As Argus' eyes by Hermes' wand opprest,
Clos'd one by one to everlasting rest;
Thus at her felt approach, and secret might,
after goes out, and all is Night.
See skulking to her old cavern fled,
Mountains of Casuistry heap'd o'er her head!
, that lean'd on Heav'n before,
Shrinks to her second cause, and is no more.
of begs defence,
And calls for aid on !
See to fly!
In vain! they gaze, turn giddy, rave, and die.
blushing veils her sacred fires,
And unawares expires.
For Flame, nor , dares to shine;
Nor Spark is left, nor Glimpse !
Lo! thy dread Empire, CHAOS! is restor'd;
Light dies before thy uncreating word;
Thy hand, great Anarch! lets the curtain fall,
And universal Darkness buries All.