Fancy's Monarchy in the Land of Poetry.

IN the Land of Poetry, Reason was King; a Gallant Prince he was, and of a Heroick Spirit, a Majestical Presence, and of a Sober and Grave Countenance: He was tall of Stature, and strong of Limbs. His Queen was the Lady Wit; a La∣dy of a quick Spirit, of a pleasant Conversation, amiable Countenance, free Behaviour, and of a sweet Disposition: she was neatly shap'd, fair Com∣plexion'd, and finely, but variously attired.

This King and Queen loved one another with an extraordinary Affection, and lived very happily and peaceably, for he governed wisely. His Kingdom was large, and fully populated; well manured, and of great Traffick. He made profitable Laws, set strict Rules, and kept good Orders both in the Church and State.

As for the Church, Faith and Zeal were the two Arch-bishops, who were sworn to consecrate none but Moral Virtues, to preach Good Life, and leave all Sects, Opinions, Superstitions, Idolatry, and the like. Neither were they suffered to make Lectures of Learning, because it is always about Controver∣sies, puzling Belief with nice Distinctions, vain Fantasms, and empty Words, without Sense.

The Cathedral Church, was the Conscience. The two Universities, were Study and Practice, wherein all the Masculine Youth of the Kingdom were bred.

As for the State, there were Superintendent Offi∣cers and Magistrates made of all degrees. The Sen ces were the five Ports to this Kingdom; the Head and the Heart were the two Magazines.

There were two Governours made to every Port to Command and Rule, Judgment and Under∣standing always sit at the Ports called the Ears, to ex∣amine all that enter there, having a strict Command from the King to let in no Sound but Harmony, no Reports but Truth, no Discourses but Rational or Witty; and that they should shut the Gates against Flattery, Falshood, Discord, harsh loud Strains, Scraping, Creaking, Squealing Noises.

Love and Skill were the two Commanders to the Port, Eyes, who were commanded to let none in, but Uniformity, Cimmetry, Beauty, Graceful Motions, pleasing Aspects, light and well-mixt Co∣lours; and to shut the Gates against Deformity or Monstrosity, rude or cruel Actions, glaring Lights, ill∣mix'd Colours, false Shadows, and Darkness, and to set up the light of Dreams when they are shut. Also to let no Tears pass through the Eyes, but those that have a Pass-port from the Gover∣nour of the Heart.

At the Port of the Nostrils sate Like and Dis∣like, who were commanded to let in none but sweet Smells, such as refresh the Brain; as, the scent of sweet Flowers, savoury Herbs, Earth new-plough'd, new-bak'd Bread; also, sweet Gums, sweet Essen∣ces, and the like; but to shut the Gates of the No∣strils against snuffs of Candles, stinking Breaths, corrupted Flesh, stale Fish, old Apples, strong Cheese, spilt Drink, foul Gutters, especially the Pump or Sink in a Ship: also, no Smells of Suet or Grease; and from many more stinking Scents, which would be too tedious to mention. But in case of necessity they were to be allowed, or at least com∣manded, to let in some sorts of Stinks, as Assafoetida, and burnt Feathers, to cure the Fits of the Mo∣ther.

Then the two Commanders of the Mouth were, Truth and Pleasure; one was to govern the Words, the other the Taste. Pleasure was commanded to let nothing into the Mouth that was either too sharp, too bitter, too salt, or too deliciously sweet. Truth was commanded to suffer no Lyes, Cursing, Slan∣dering, Railings, Flattering; nor Amorous, Lasci∣vious, Factious Discourses. Likewise, never to let pass an Oath, but to confirm a Truth; no Threat∣ning, but to terrifie or reclaim the Wicked, or Cross∣natur'd; no Pleading, but for Right; no Com∣mands, but for Good; no Praises, but for Worth. Page  230 Also, to let no Sighs nor Groans pass, nor no Pro∣fessions, except they have a Pass-port from the Heart. Nor no Promises, but when they have a Pass-port from the King, which is Reason.

The two Commanders of Touch, were Pain and Pleasure; who were commanded to keep out all sharp Colds, burning Heats, Bruises, Pinches, Smartings, Cuttings, Prickings, Nippings, Pressing, Razing; and to let in none but nourishing Warmth, soft Rubbing, gentle Scratching, refreshing Colds, and the like. And upon pain of Death, or at least high Displeasure, these Rules were to be kept. Yet, sometimes, Bribery corrupted the Commanders.

The Privy-Council-Chamber was the Breast; the Privy-Councellors were, Secrecy, Constancy, Fi∣delity, Unity, Truth, Justice, Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance. These Privy-Councellors helped the King to manage the Affairs of the Kingdom.

The Secretaries of State were Intelligence and Dispatch.

The Treasurer, was Memory.

The Lord Keeper, was Remembrance.

The Mayors of every City, were Authority.

The Constables were Care.

The Judges were, Commutative and Distribu∣tive Justice. Honesty was the Commander of all the Forces, of the Actions and Thoughts.

The Heroick Actions, are the chief Comman∣ders, as Captains, and Colonels, and the like.

The Common-Soldiers are the ordinary and ne∣cessary Actions, which are employed in Offensive and Defensive Warrs.

The Merchants are the Imaginations, which traf∣fick and trade all over the World.

The Inventions, are the Handicrafts-men and Labourers.

The Appetites are the Citizens, that are so co∣vetous as to engross all Commodities, and the Wealth of the Kingdom; and are the most Luxu∣rious People in the Land.

But, as I said, the King was a Wise Prince; and to divert his Subjects from too serious Studies, dull Contemplations, and laborious Dictatings, he had Masques, Plays, Pastorals, and the like; being attended by his Nobles, the Sciences; and the Gen∣try of the Kingdom, which were the several Lan∣guages.

The Queen, by the Muses and Graces.