THE DESCENT OF DULLNESS
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From the 'Dunciad', Book IV] In vain, in vain--the all-composing HourResistless falls: the Muse obeys the Pow'r.She comes! she comes! the sable Throne beholdOf _Night_ primæval and of _Chaos_ old!Before her, _Fancy's_ gilded clouds decay, 5And all its varying Rain-bows die away._Wit_ 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; 10As Argus' eyes by Hermes' wand opprest,Clos'd one by one to everlasting rest;Thus at her felt approach, and secret might,_Art_ after _Art_ goes out, and all is Night.See skulking _Truth_ to her old cavern fled, 15Mountains of Casuistry heap'd o'er her head!_Philosophy_, that lean'd on Heav'n before,Shrinks to her second cause, and is no more._Physic_ of _Metaphysic_ begs defence,And _Metaphysic_ calls for aid on _Sense_! 20See _Mystery_ to _Mathematics_ fly!In vain! they gaze, turn giddy, rave, and die._Religion_ blushing veils her sacred fires,And unawares _Morality_ expires.For _public_ Flame, nor _private_, dares to shine; 25Nor _human_ Spark is left, nor Glimpse _divine_!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. 30 * * * * *
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