Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/142

Book II. He brings up half the bottom on his head, And loudly claims the Journals and the Lead. The plunging Prelate, and his pond'rous Grace, With holy envy gave one Layman place. When lo! a burst of thunder shook the flood. Slow rose a form, in majesty of Mud; Shaking the horrors of his sable brows, And each ferocious feature grim with ooze. Greater he looks, and more than mortal stares: Then thus the wonders of the deep declares. First he relates, how sinking to the chin, Smit with his mien, the Mud-nymphs suck'd him in: How young Lutetia, softer than the down, Nigrina black, and Merdamante brown, Vy'd for his love in jetty bow'rs below, As Hylas fair was ravish'd long ago. Then sung, how shown him by the Nut-brown maids A branch of Styx here rises from the Shades,