In which a humble broomstick is observed in its decline from a flourishing tree to a worn tool of drudgery, serving as a poignant metaphor for the human condition and its inevitable fall from natural grace to affected artifice. Through this comparison, a gentle satire unfolds, revealing man's vanity and folly as he attempts to mask his decay and assumes the role of a reformer while sharing in the very corruptions he condemns.

In which the valiant but ill-favoured Bentley and his dear companion Wotton, driven by discontent and ambition, set forth stealthily amid the chaos of battle in hopes of seizing advantage from the slumbering foe. Their ventures lead them to encounters both fortuitous and fatal, where fate and divine intervention interlace, culminating in a tragic yet heroic close to their endeavours.

In which the bees and spiders represent the Ancients and Moderns, respectively, each deploying their crafts and arts in a learned dispute that culminates in preparations for a grand and momentous battle between these rival factions of books. This clash, witnessed by gods and influenced by allegorical deities such as Criticism and Dulness, unfolds with heroic leaders and martial encounters that echo the grandeur and folly inherent in the contest of letters.

In which the ever-contentious strife between the venerable Ancients and the ambitious Moderns is described as a learned war of portentous quarrels over intellectual supremacy, conducted with pens as their weapons and writ in books of controversy chained in libraries. Amidst this fierce contention, a curious and spirited debate unfolds between a prideful spider and a diligent bee, exemplifying the greater themes of invention, nature, and the merits of labour versus mere boastfulness.

In which the life and education of Jonathan Swift are laid forth with gentle detail, tracing his early struggles, friendships, and formative influences that shaped the author’s wit and resolve. Also revealed is the spirited literary quarrel between the ancients and moderns, wherein Swift’s playful yet pointed contribution sets the scene for a lively contest of intellect and taste.