The joy their wives, their sons, and servants share, But Otway fail'd to polish or refine, To make poor Pinkey (7) eat with vast applause! Preferu'd the freedom, and forebore the vice. But fill their (*) purse, our poets' work is done, Hence salire rose, itac jult the mediuni hit, Alike to them, by pathos or by pun. And heals with morals what it hurts with wit. O you! whom (y) vanity's light bark conveys (4) We conquer'd France, but felt our captive's On fame's mad voyage by the wind of praise, charms; With what a shifting gale your course you ply, Her arts victorious triumph'd o'er our arms; For ever funk too low, or borne too high! Eritain to fcft refinements less a foe, Who pants for glory finds but short repose, Wir grew polite, and (1) nunibers learn'd to flow. A breath revives him, or a breath o'erthrows. Waller was imooth; but Dryden taught to join (2) Farewell the stage ! if just as thrives the play, The varying verse, the full resounding line, The Gilly bard grows fat, or falls away. The long niajestic march, and energy divine. (a) There still remains, to mortify a wit, Though fill fome traces of our (n) rustic vein The many-headed monfter of the pit ; And splayfoot verse remain'd, and will remain. A senseless, worthless, and unhonour'd crowd: Late, very late, corre& nefs grew our care, Who, (b) to disturb their betters mighty proud, When the tir'd nation (7) breath'd from civil war. Clattering their sticks before ten lines are spoke, Exact (0) Racine, and Corneille's noble fire, Call for the farce, (c) the bear, or the black-joke. Show'd us chat France had something to admire. What dear delight to Britons farce affords ! Not but the (p) tragic spirit was our own, Ever the taste of mobs, but now (d) of lords; And full in Shakspeare, fair in Otway shone : (Taste, that eternal wanderer, which flies From heads to ears, and now from cars to eyes.). } Corpus et ipsum animun fpe finis dura ferentem, quam (4) Graecia capta fcrum vi&orem cepit, et artes iuruit: Sed (9) turpem putat inscite meruitque lituram.. Creditur, ex (") medio quia arceflit, habere. poft hoc Quen tulit ad scenam (,) ventoso gloria curru, gaudet. voluptas Omnis, ad incertos oculos, et gaudia vana. Quatuor aut plures aulaea premuntur in horas ; tam The play stands fill; damn action and discourse, (1) But not this part of the poetic state spring? Had he beheld an audience gape fo wide. How shall we fill a (7) library with wit, Let bear or (g) elephant be e'er fo white, When Merliu's cave is half unfurnish'd yet? The people, sure, the people are the fight! My liege! why writers little claim your thought, Ah, luckless (b) poet : stretch thy lungs and roar, I guess; and, with their leave, will tell the fault : *That bear or elephant fall heed thee more; Wc (r) poets are (upon a poet's word) While all its (i) throats the gallery extends, Of all mankind, the creatures molt absurd : And all the thunder of the pit ascends! The () feason, when to come, and when to go, Loud as the wolves, on (4) Orca's Itormy steep, To fing, or cease to sing, we never know; Howl to the roarings of the northern deep. And if we will recite nine hours in ten, Sach is the shout, the long-applauding note, You lose your patience just like other men. A: Quin's high plume, or Oldfield's (1) petticoat; Then too we hurt ourselves, when, to defend Or when from court a birth-day fuit bestow'd, A (t) fingle verse, we quarrel with a friend; Sinks the (m) loft actor in the tawdry load. Repeat (u) unafk'd; (v) lament, the wit's too finc Booth enters-hark! the universal peal ! For vulgar eyes, and point out every line ; * But has he spoken ?" Not a syllable. But most, when, straining with too weak a wing, What fhook the stage, and made the people stare? We needs will write epistles to the king; (*) Cato's long wig, flower'd gown, and lacquer'd And (x) from the moment we oblige the town, chair. Exped a place, or pension from the crown; Yet, lest you think I rally more than teach, Or; dubb'd historians by express command, Or praise malignly arts I cannot reach, T'enroll your triumphs o'er the seas and land, Let me for once presume t'instruct the times, Be call'd to court to plan some work divine, To know the poet from the man of rhymes : As once for Louis, Boileau, and Racine. 'Tis he (o) who gives my breast a thousand pains, Yet (y)think, great Sir! (so many virtues shown) Can make me feel each passion that he feigns; Ah, think, what poet best may make them known? Enrage, compose, with more than magic art; Or choose at least some minister of grace, With pity, and with terror, tear my heart; Fit to bestow the (7) laureat's weighty place. And snatch me, o'er the earth, or through the air, (a) Charles, to late times to be transmitted fair, To Thebes, to Athens, when he will, and where. Allign'd his figure to Bernini's care; Dam fugiunt (e) equitum turmae, peditumque ca (p) Verum age, et his, qui se lectori credere ma tervae : lunt, Mor trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis; Quam spectatoris faftidia ferre superbi, [num Effeda festinant, pilenta, petorrita, naves; Cura impende brevem : fi(9) manus Apolline dig. Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus. Vis complere libris ; et vatibus addere calcar, Vsi foret in terris, rideret Democritus; seu Ut ftudio majore petant Helicona virentem. Diverfum confusa genus panthera camclo, (r) Multa quidem nobis facimus mala faepe poeSive (8) clephas albus vulgi converteret ora. tae, Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis, (Ut vineta egomet caedam mea) cum tibi librum Ut fibi pracbentem mimo fpe&acula plura : Solicito damus, aut feffo : cum laedimur, (6) Scriptores autem (6) narrare putaret asello unum Fabellam furdo. nam quae (i) pervincere voces Si quis amicorum et aufus reprendere versum : Evaluere sonum, referunt quem nostra theatra ? Cum loca jam (u) recitata revolvimus irrevocari: (6) Garganum mugire putes nemus, aut mare Tur. Cum (v) lamentamur non apparere labores cum. Noftros, et tenui deducta poemata filo: [que Tanto cum ftrepitu ludi spectantur, et artes, Cum (x) fperamus eo rem venturam, ut, fimul at(1) Divitiae que peregrinae: quibus (20) oblicus Carmina rescieris nos fingere, commodus ultro actor Arceffas, et egere vetes, et fcribere cogas. Cum ftetit in scena, concurrit dextera laevae. Sed tamen eft (y) operae pretium cognoscere, quales Dixit adhuc aliquid ? dil fanc. Quid placet ergo? Aedituos habeat belli spectata domique (* Lana Tarentino violas imitata veneno. Vircus, (z) indigno non committenda poetae. Ac ne forte putes me, quae facere ipse recusem, (a) Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille Cum recte tradent alii, laudare maligne : Choerilus, incultis qui' versibus et male natis Hle per extentum fonem mihi posse videtur Rettulit acceptos, regale numisma, Philippos. Ire pocta; () meum qui pectus inaniter angit, Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt Irritat, malcct, falfis terroribus implet, Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine foedo Ut nagus; et modo me Thebis, niodo ponit Athe. Splendida fada linunt. idem rex ille, poema nis, 4 Qui tam ridiculum tam care prodigus emit, And (6) great Neffau to Kneller's hand decreed If true, a () woful likeness; and if lies, (9) Clothe spice, like tranks, or fluttering in a row, Which made old Ben and surly Dennis Swear, Befrioge the rails of Bedlam and Soho. “ No lord's anointed, but a (c) Russian bear." Not with such (d) majesty, such bold relief, The forms auguft, of king, or conquering chief, In fol pejus vultu proponi cereus usquam, L'er swellid on marble; as in verse have shin'd Nec prave fa&is decorari versibus opto : (In polish'd verse) the manners and the mind. Ne () rubeam pingui donatus munere, et una fought! BOOK II. EPISTLE II. Ludentis fpeciem dabit, et torquebitur. Hor. (6) Peace stole her wing, and wrapp'd the world in sleep; Dear Col'nel, Cohham's and your country's Till earth's extremes your meditation own, friend! And (0) Afia's tyrants tremble at your throne You love a verse, take such as I can fend. But (á) verse, alas! your majesty disdains ; (6) A Frenchman comes, presents you with his And I'm not us'd to panegyric Itrains : boy, The zeal of (1) fools offends at any time, Bows, and begins" This lad, Sir, is of Blois; But most of all, the zeal of fools in rhyme. “ Observe his fhape how clean: his locks hot Besides, a fate attends on all I write, “ curl'd! That when I aim at praise, they say (m) I bite. “ My only fon; I'd have him fee the world: A vile (1) encomium doubly ridicules : “ His French is pure; his voice too-- you shall There's nothing blackens like the ink of fools. “ Siť, he's your flave; for twenty pound a-year. “ Mere wax as yet, you falhion him with ease, Edicto vetuit, ne quis fe praeter Apellem “ Your barber, cook, upholsterer, what you pleafe : Pingeret, aut alius Lyfippo duceret aera “ A perfe& genius at an opera longFortis (6) Alexandri vultum fimulantia. quod si “ To say too much, might do my honour wrong. Judicium subtile videndis artibus illud “ Take him with all his virtues, op my word; Ad libros et ad haec Musarum dona vocares; “ His whole ambition was to serve a lord: (6) Boeotum in craffo jurares aëre naturn. “ But, Sir to you, with what would I not pare? [At neque dedecorant tua de fe judicia, atquc “ Though faith, I fear, 'will break his mother's Munera quae multa dantis cum laude tulerunt, * heart. Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variusque poetac;] Ncc magis exprefli (d) vultus per ahenea figna, EPISTOLA II. (1) Si quis forte velit puerunr tibi vendere oatum “ Quin etiam caner indoctuin, fed dulce bibenti (1) Carmen majestas recipit tua ; nec meus audet « Mulia fideni promissa levant, ubi plenius acquu Rem tentare pudor, quam vires ferre recufent. “ Laudat venales, qui vult extrudere, merces, Sedulitas autem (4) ftulte, quem diligit, urget; " Ros urget me nulla: meo fum pauper in aere, Praecipue cum se numeris commendat et arte. “ Nemo hoc prangonum faceret tibi : non temere Dikit enim citius, meminitque libentius illud [{ Quod quis (27) deridet, quam quod probat et vene " Quivis ferret idem : femel hic ceffavit, e: (ut (fi&to “ ]n scalis lacuit metuens pendentis habenac : Nil morer (R) officium, quod me gravat : 2c neque "D« athmos, cacepta nihil te A fuga lacdi." #hcar. “ a me ratur. "Once (and but once) I caught him in a lie, Befides, my father taught me from a lad, * And then, unwhipp'd, he had the grace to cry: · The better art to know the good from bad : * The fault he has I fairly fall reveal, (And little fure imported to remove, “ (Could you c'erlook but that) it is, to steal.” To hunt for truth in Maudliu's learned grove.) (e) 1, after this, you took the graceful lad, But knottier points, we knew nor half so well, Could you complain, my friend, he proy'd fo bad ? Depriv'd us foon of our paternal cell; Faith, in such case, if you should prosecute, And certain laws, by fufferers thought unjust, I think Sir Godfrey should decide the suit : Deny'd all posts of profit or of trust : Who sent the thief that stole the cash, away, Hopes after hopes of pious Papifts fail'd, (vail'd. And punith'd him that put it in his way. While mighty William's thundering arm pre (d) Coolider then, and judge me in this light; For right hereditary tax'd and fin'd, I told you when I went, i could not write; He stuck to poverty with peace of mind; You said the same ; and are you discontent And me, the muses help'd to undergo it; With laws, to which you gave your own affent ? Convia a Papilt he, and I a poct. Nay worse, co ask for verfe at such a time: But (thanks to Homer) hence I live and thrive, D'ye thiok me good for nothing but to rhyme ? Indebted to no prince or peer alive, () In Anna's wars, a soldier poor and old Sure I should want the case of ten Monroes, Had dearly carn'd a little purse of gold : If I would scribble, rather than repose. Tir'd with a tedious march, one luckless night, (8) Years following years, Acal something He slepe, poor dog! and lost it, co a doit, every day, This put the man in such a desperate mind, At last they steal us from ourselves away; Between revenge, and grief, and hunger join'd, In one our frolics, one amusements end, Against the foc, himself, and all mankind, In one a mistress drops, in one a friend : He leap'd the trenches, scal'd a castle wall, This subtle thief of life, this paltry time, Tore down a tandard, took the fort and all. What will it leave me, if it Inarch my rhyme ? * Prodigious well!" his great commander cry'd, If every wheel of that unweary'd mill, Gave him much praise, and some reward beside. That turn'd ten thousand verses, now stands ftill? Next, pleas'd his excellence a town to batter (6) But after all, what would you have me do? (Its name I know not, and 'tis no great matter); When out of twenty I can please not two; * Go on, my friend, (he cry'd) see yonder walls ! When this heroics only deigns to praise, - Advance and conquer ! go where glory calls ! Sharp satire that, and that Pindaric lays? " More honours, more rewards, attend the brare.” One likes the pheasant's wing, and one the leg; Don't you remember what reply he gave ? The vulgar boil, the learned roast an egg. "D'ye think me, noble general, such a lot ? Hard talk to hit the palate of such guests, * Let him take castles who has ne'er a groat." When Oldfield loves what Dartincuf derefts. Bred up at home, full carly I begun (i) But grant I may relapse, for want of grace, To read in Greck the wrath of Peleus' son. Again to chyme: can London be the place (.) Me ferat pretium, poenae securus, opinor. Iratus Graiis quantum nocuisset Achilles. Prudens emifti vitiosum : dida tibi et lex. Adjecere bonae paulo plus artis Athenae : losequeris tamen hunc, et lite mioraris iniqua. Scilicet ut poffem curvo dignoscere rectum, () Dixi me pigrum proficiscenti tibi, dixi Atque inter sylvas academi quaerere verum. Talibus officiis prope mancum; ne mea faevus Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato; Jurgares ad tc quod epistola nulla veniret. Civilisque rudem belli tulit aeftus in arma, Quid tum profcci, mecum facientia jura Caesaris Augufti non responsura lacertis. Si tamen attentas? quereris super hoc etiam, quod Unde fimul primum me demisere Philippi, Expe&ata tibi non mittam carmina mendax. Decisis humilem pennis, inopemque paterni (2) Luculli miles colle&a viatica multis Et laris et fundi, paupertas impulit audax Aerumnis, laffus dum noctu stertit, ad assem Ut versus facerem : fed, quod non defit, habentem, Perdiderat : poft hoc vehemens lupus, et sibi et Quae poterunt unquam fatis expurgare cicutae, hofti Ni melius dormire putem, quam fcribere versus ! Iratus pariter, jejunis dentibus acer, (8) Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes; Pracfidium regale loco dejecit, ut aiunt, Eripuere jucos, venerem, convivia, ludum ; Semme munito, er multarum divite rerum. Tenduni extorquere poenata. quid faciam vis ? Ciarus ob id factum, donis ornatur honestis, (6) Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amant Accipit et bis dena super feftertia nummům. que. , quae timido quoque posent addere nien Tres mihi convivae prope difsentire videntur, 1, bone, quo virtus tua te vocat : i pede fausto, Pofcentes vario multum diverfa palato. alter: Grandia laturus meritorum praenia: quid ftas? Quid dem? quid non dem? renuis quod tu, jubet Poft haec ille catus, quantumvis rufticus, “Ibic, Quod petis, id sane eft invisum acidun.que duobus. " Ibit eo, quo vis, qui zonam perdidit, inquit." (0) Practer caefcra me Romae ac poemata cenU) Romae antrisi mihi contigit atque doceri, fc Who there his muse, or felf, or soul attends, And here, while town, and court, and city roara; In crowds, and courts, law, business, feasts, and With mobs, and duns, and soldiers, at their doors, frieads ? Shall I, in London, ad this idle part? My counsel sends to execute a deed : Composing songs, for fools to get by heart? A poet begs me I will hear him read : (m) The temple late two brother sergeants law, In Palace-yard at nine you'll find me there Who deem'd each other oracles of law! At ten, for certain, Sir, in Bloomsbury-square With equal talents, these congenial fouls, Before the Lords at twelve my cause comes on One lull'd th' Exchequer, and one funn'd the There's a rehearsal, Sir, exact at one rolls; * Oh but a wit can ftudy in the streets, Each had a gravity would make you split, « And raise his mind above the mob he meets." And shook his head at Murray, as a wit. Not quite so well however as one ought; 'Twas, “Sir, your law"--and “ Sir, your clo. A hackney-coach may chance to spoil a thought; “ quence," (sense.” And then a nodding beam, or pig of lead, “ Yours, Cowper's manner—and yours, Talbot's God knows, may hurt the very ableft head. () Thus we dispose of all poetic merit, Have you not seen, at Guildhall's narrow pass, Yours Milton's genius, and mine Homer's spirit. Two Aldermen difpute it with an afs? Call Tibbald Shakespeare, and he'll swear the And peers give way, exalted as they are, Nine, Ev'n to their own (-s-v-nce in a car? Dear Cibber! never match'd one ode of thine. (6) Go, lofty poet! and in such a crowd, Lord! how we strut through Merlin's cave, to see Sing thy fonorous verse—but not aloud. No poets there, but Stephen, you, and me. Alas! to grottoes and to groves we run, Walk with respe& behind, while we at ease To ease and filence, every muse's fon : Weave laurel crowns, and take what names we Blackmore himself, for any grand effort, please. Would drink and doze at Tooting or Earl's Court. My dear Tibullas !" if that will not do, How shall I rhyme in this eternal roar ? “ Let me be Horace, and be Ovid you ! How match the bards whomnone e'er match'd “ Or, I'm content, allow me Dryden's strains, before? “ And you shall rise up Otway for your pains." (1) The man, who, ftretch'd in Ilis' calm re Much do I suffer, much to keep in peace treat, This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race; To books and ftudy gives seven years complete, And much must flatter, if the whim should bite See, frow'd with learned duft, his nightcap on, To court applause by printing what I write : He walks, an object new beneath the fun! But let the fit pass o'er, I'm wife enough The boys flock round him, and the people stare : To Rop my ears to their confounded fluff. So stiff, so mute! some ftatue you would swear, () in vain, bad rhymers all mankind reject, Stepp'd from its pedestal to take the air! They treat themselves with most profound respe&t; 'Tis to small purpe fe that you hold your tongue, Each prais'd within, is happy all day long : Scribere poffe, inter tot curas totque labores ? Hic sponsum vocat, hic auditum scrip'a, relidis (7) Frater era: Romae consulti sberor ; ut alter Omnibus officiis : cubat hic in colle Quirini, Alterius fermone meros audiret honores : Hic extremo in Aventino; visendus uterque. Gracchus ut hic illi foret, huic ut Mucius ille. Intervalla vides humane commoda. “ Verum Quî minus argutos vexat furor iste poetas? “ Purae funt platea, nihil ut medicantibus ob- (n) Carmina compono, hic elegos; mirabile visu, ftet." Caelatumque novem Mulis opus. afpice primum, Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemtor : Quanto cum fallu, quanto molimine circumTorquet nunc lapidem, nunc ingens machina tig- speetenius vacuam Romanis vatibus aedem, num: Mox etiam (fi forte vacas) sequere, et procul audi, Tristia robustis luctantur funera plaustris: Quid ferat, et quare fibi nectat uterque coronam. Hac rabiosa fugit canis, hac lutulenta ruit sus. Caedimar, ct totidem plagis consumimus hoftem, (b) I nunc, et verfus tecum meditare canoros. Lento Samnites ad lumina prima duello. Scriptorum chorus omnis amat nemus, et fugit Discedo Alcaeus puncto illius; ille meo quis ? urbes, Quis, nifi Callimachus ? fi plus adpofcere visus : Rite cliens Bacchi, fomno gaudentis et umbra. Fit Mimnermus, et optivo cognomine crescit. Tu me inter ftrepitus nocturnos atque diurnos Multa fero, ut placem genus irritabile vatum, Vis canere, et contrada sequi veftigia vatum ? Cum fcribo, et supplex populi fuffragia capro: (1) Ingenium, fibi qucd vacuas defum lit sithe- Idem, finitis ftudiis, et mente recepta, nas, Obeurem patulas impune legentibus aures. Et studiis annos feptem dedit, insenui que () Ridentur mala qui componunt carmina : Libris et curis, ftatua taciturnius exit Plerumque, et risu populum quatit; hic ego re-Gaudet scribentes, et se venerantur, et ultro, rum Si taccas, laudant; quidquid scripsere, beati. Flu&ibus in mediis, et tempeftatibus urbis, Ai qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poema, Verba lyrae motura sonum connectere digner ? Cum tabulis animum cenforis sumet honcsti: verum |
