VII. OF THE POET LAUREATE.* Nov. 19, 1729. THE time of the election of a Poet Laureate being now at hand, it may be proper to give some account of the rites and ceremonies anciently used at that solemnity, and only discontinued through the * It is not easy to conceive, why this piece, which was written by Pope, and inserted in the first complete edition of the Dunciad, in Four Books, in 1743, should have been transferred, in all the subsequent editions, to another volume of the works of the author, with the rest of the contents of which it has no immediate connexion; whilst it is essential to the proper understanding of the character and dignity of the Poet Laureate, whose office is here traced from the times of Leo X. when Rome in her capitol saw Querno sit, Thron'd on seven hills, the antichrist of wit to the days of George the Second. We may also be permitted to observe, that notwithstanding the difference of age and country, this piece may still be of use, as a record of the duties, qualifications, and privileges of the Laureate, in order to prevent any person from being raised, in future, to that high station (as no person has yet been) who is not abundantly qualified for it-" such a person as is truly jealous of the honour and dignity of poetry; no joker or trifler, but a bard in good earnest; nay, not amiss if a critic, and the better if a little obstinate." neglect and degeneracy of later times. These we have extracted from an historian of undoubted credit, a reverend bishop, the learned Paulus Jovius; and are the same that were practised under the pontificate of Leo X, the great restorer of learning. As we now see an age and a court, that for the encouragement of poetry rivals, if not exceeds, that of this famous Pope, we cannot but wish a restoration of all its honours to poesy; the rather, since there are so many parallel circumstances in the person who was then honoured with the laurel, and in him, who (in all probability) is now to wear it. I shall translate my author exactly as I find it in the 82d chapter of his Elogia Vir. Doct. He begins with the character of the poet himself, who was the original and father of all Laureates, and called Camillo. He was a plain countryman of Apulia, whether a shepherd or thresher is not material. "This man (says Jovius) excited by the fame of the great encouragement given to poets at court, and the high honour in which they were held, came to the city, bringing with him a strange kind of lyre in his hand, and at least some twenty thousand of verses. All the wits and critics of the court flocked about him, delighted to see a clown, with a ruddy, hale complexion, and in his own long hair, so top full of poetry; and at the first sight of him all agreed he was born to be Poet 2 B 2 Laureate.* He had a most hearty welcome in an island of the river Tiber (an agreeable place, not unlike our Richmond) where he was first made to eat and drink plentifully, and to repeat his verses to every body. Then they adorned him with a new and elegant garland, composed of vine-leaves, laurel, and brassica (a sort of cabbage) so composed, says my author, emblematically, ut tam sales, quam lepide ejus temulentia, Brassica remedio cohibenda, notaretur. He was then saluted by common consent with the title of archi-poeta, or arch-poet, in the style of those days; in ours, Poet Laureate. This honour the poor man received with the most sensible demonstrations of joy, his eyes drunk with tears and gladness. Next, the public acclamation was expressed in a canticle, which is transmitted to us, as follows: "Salve, brassiceâ virens coronâ, Et lauro, archipoeta, pampinoque! From hence he was conducted in pomp to the Capitol of Rome, mounted on an elephant, through the shouts of the populace, where the ceremony ended. The historian tells us farther, "That at his in * Apulus præpingui vultu alacer, et prolixe comatus, omnino dignus festâ laureâ videretur. + Manantibus præ gaudio oculis. sures. troduction to Leo, he not only poured forth verses innumerable, like a torrent, but also sung them with open mouth. Nor was he only once introduced, or on stated days (like our Laureates) but made a companion to his master, and entertained as one of the instruments of his most elegant pleaWhen the prince was at table, the poet had his place at the window. When the prince had half* eaten his meat, he gave with his own hands the rest to the poet. When the poet drank, it was out of the prince's own flagon, insomuch (says the historian) that through so great good eating and drinking, he contracted a most terrible gout." Sorry I am to relate what follows, but that I cannot leave my reader's curiosity unsatisfied in the catastrophe of this extraordinary man. To use my author's words, which are remarkable, mortuo Leone, profligatisque poetis, &c. "When Leo died, and poets were no more" (for I would not understand profligatis literally, as if poets then were profligate) this unhappy Laureate was forthwith reduced to return to his country, where, oppressed with old age and want, he miserably perished in a common hospital. We see from this sad conclusion (which may be of example to the poets of our time) that it were happier to meet with no encouragement at all, to remain at the plough, or other lawful occupation, than to be elevated above their condition, and * Semesis opsoniis. taken out of the common means of life, without a surer support than the temporary, or, at best, mortal favours of the great. It was doubtless for this consideration, that when the Royal Bounty was lately extended to a rural genius, care was taken to settle it upon him for life. And it hath been the practice of our Princes, never to remove from the station of Poet Laureate any man who hath once been chosen, though never so much greater Geniuses might arise in his time. A noble instance how much the charity of our monarchs hath exceeded their love of fame. To come now to the intent of this paper. We have here the whole ancient ceremonial of the Laureate. In the first place the crown is to be mixed with vine-leaves, as the vine is the plant of Bacchus, and full as essential to the honour, as the butt of sack to the salary. I Secondly, the brassica must be made use of as a qualifier of the former. It seems the cabbage was anciently accounted a remedy for drunkenness; a power the French now ascribe to the onion, and style a soup made of it, Soupe d'ivrogne. would recommend a large mixture of the brassica if Mr. Dennis be chosen; but if Mr. Tibbald, it is not so necessary, unless the cabbage be supposed to signify the same thing with respect to poets as to tailors, viz. stealing. I should judge it not amiss to add another plant to this garland, to wit, ivy; not only as it anciently belonged to poets in |