As Book 1, Chapter 8 begins, Fielding pats himself on the back for some "very fine Writing" to come—a playful account of nightfall that Fielding lays out in an intentionally overwrought parody of Greek poetry:
In which, after some very fine Writing, the History goes on […].
Now the Rake Hesperus had called for his Breeches, and having well rubbed his drowsy Eyes, prepared to dress himself for all Night; by whose Example his Brother Rakes on Earth likewise leave those Beds, in which they had slept away the Day. Now Thetis the good Housewife began to put on the Pot in order to regale the good Man Phæbus, after his daily Labours were over.
This parody makes heavy allusion to the classical gods and stylistic conventions of epic poetry. Fielding personifies all heavenly attributes and celestial bodies according to their respective Greek or Roman gods, and he portrays the process of night’s arrival in the metaphorical language of these personified deities—it does not just "get dark," but rather Hesperus—the evening star—must get ready for bed, and Thetis must welcome "Phæbus"—or Apollo, the sun—back from a long day's work.
Throughout Joseph Andrews, Fielding nods to his command of literature through allusions to high classical style, while also taking the opportunity to satirize such ritual and archaic uses of language—which, at the time of his writing, were in vogue to employ in English literature.
