Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 18.djvu/436



ARNASSUS, February the twenty-seventh. The Poets assembled here on the eleventh, Convened by Apollo, who gave them to know, He'd have a vicegerent in his empire below; But declared that no bard should this honour inherit, Till the rest had agreed he surpass'd them in merit: Now this, you'll allow, was a difficult case, For each bard believed he'd a right to the place; So, finding th' assembly grow warm in debate, He put them in mind of his Phaëton's fate: 'Twas urged to no purpose; disputes higher rose, Scarce Phœbus himself could their quarrels compose; Till at length he determined that every bard Should (each in his turn) be patiently heard. First, one who believed he excell'd in translation , Founds his claim on the doctrine of man's transmigration: "Since the soul of great Milton was given to me, I hope the Convention will quickly agree." "Agree!" quoth Apollo: "from whence is this fool? Is he just come from reading Pythagoras at school? Be gone, sir, you've got your subscriptions in time, And given in return neither reason nor rhyme." To