Chap.V. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 273 



more drfengaged from our Bodies while we arc afleep, than while 

 wc arc waking, it is natural that all the operations, both of 

 the Phantafia and the Inielled, fliould be more perfed than 

 when we are awake ; and the Phantafia being under no controul 

 from the judgment, Fancy has its full play. Hence it comes that 

 men of good Imaginations fee in their Dreams fuch fcenes as no 

 poet can defcribe. And Mr Thomfon, in his Caftle of Indolence, 

 has, I believe, given as good a defcription of them as is poflible, by 

 telling us that they are not to be defcribed, in the following mod 

 beautiful lines. 



No, fair Illuftons ! Artful Phantomsy no! 



My Mife nvill not attempt your fairy land : 



She has no Colours that, like you, can gloixj ; 



To catch your 'ui'uid fcenes too grofs her hand. 



But fur e it is, ivas ne*er afubt'ler band 



Than thefefame guileful Angel-feeming Sp' rites. 



Who thus, in Dreams, voluptuous, foft, and bland ^ 



Poured all th' Arabian Heaven upon our nights, 



And blefd them oft beftdes ivith more refind delights. 



I think, however, he has fucceeded pretty well in defcribing them 

 in the preceding ftanza, which I am fure the reader will not be forry 

 that I tranfcribe, as I think it as fine defcriptive poetry as is to be 

 found in this, or in any other language. 



And hither Morpheus fent his kinde/l Dreams, 

 Rai/ing a nvorld of gayer tinSl and grace ; 

 O'er ivhich ivere //jadoiuy cajl Elyftan gleams. 

 That play' d, in -waving lights, from place to place , 

 Andfhed a rofeatfmile on Nature s Face. 



Vol. II. M m Not 



