the sky she bore
Her fasten'd looks, as eager to explore
Some great design; nor did she seem to hear
The cruel scoffings, and th' insulting sneer,
Of brazen Ignorance and her foul-mouth'd crew,
Who at the Holy Maid their venom threw.
Grave _Wisdom_, next, with wrinkled brow appear'd,
White was his head, and white his flowing beard.
By the right hand _Religion_'s self he led;
Who, as she pass'd along, devoutly read
In that _Celestial Book_, whose sacred page
Shall pass unhurt through every distant Age.
Meek _Resignation_ with her Mistress came,
And gentle _Patience_, and unsullied _Fame_:
Onward they went, nor fear'd the assailing cry
Of frontless _Vice_ and barking _Calumny_.

I mourn'd the piteous fight, and curs'd the hour
When FOLLY first assum'd her fatal power:
And much I sorrow'd that she dare maintain
The shameful show of her fantastic reign.
But as I wip'd away the silent tears,
With rout and revelry the QUEEN appears.
On a gay car the painted _Mischief_ rode,--
Her pride a _Feather_, and her grace a _Nod_.
A flaunting, party-colour'd vest she wore,
With many a glittering star bespangled o'er.
Upon her cap, in order, plac'd around,
The bells send forth an emblematic sound.
Her right-hand did a wooden sword embrace,
Known to the Chiefs of _Pantomimic_ Race;
Whose magic powers, to please a silly Age,
She first encourag'd on the _British_ Stage;
And, driving _Sense_ and _Reason_ to despair,
Her _duteous Delegates_ continue there.
Her eyes no penetrating gleam betray'd,
Upon her face no gentle graces play'd.
The _Harlot_'s smile,--the _Ideot_'s vacant stare,
And _Baby_ vehemence, were blended there.
An _Ostrich_ drew the gilded weight along,
Whose harness'd plumage charm'd th' admiring Throng.
Methought I saw her from the car descend,
While her surrounding vot'ries lowly bend;
And, with loud, pealing bursts of laughter, own
Their Monarch seated on her _Annual Throne_.

And now, in crowds, press'd through the yielding doors,
High Lords, deep Statesmen, Dutchesses, and Whores;
All ranks and stations, Publicans and Peers,
Grooms, Lawyers, Fiddlers, Bawds, and Auctioneers;
Prudes and Coquettes, the Ugly and the Fair,
The Pert, the Prim, the Dull, the Debonnair;
The Weak, the Strong, the Humble and the Pr