The British Poets

raised on some of my Epistles. An answer from Horace was both more full and of more dignity than any I could have made in my own person ; and the example of much greater freedom in so eminent a divine as Dr. Donne, seemed a proof with what indignation and contempt a Christian may treat vice or folly, in ever so low or ever so high a station. Both these authors were acceptable to the princes and ministers ander whom they lived. The satires of Dr. Donne I versified at the desire of the Earl of Oxford, while be was lord-treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who had been secretary of state ; neither of wbom looked upon a satire on vicious courts as any reflection on those they served in. And indeed there is not in the world a greater error than that which fools are so apt to fall into, and knaves with good reason to encourage,—the mistaking a satirist for a libeller; whereas to a true satirist nothing is so odious as a libeller : for the same reason as to a man truly virtaous, nothing is so hateful as a hypocrite.

Uni æquus virtuti atque ejus amicis.

BOOK II. SATIRE I.

To Mr. Fortescue. P. There are, (I scarce can think it, but am told) There are to whom my satire seems too bold;

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Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough,
And something said of Chartres much too rough.
The lines are weak, another's pleased to say;
Lord Fanny spins a thousand such a day.
Timorous by nature, of the rich in awe,
I come to counsel learned in the law:
You'll give me, like a friend both sage and free,
Advice; and (as you use) without a fee.
F. I'd write no more.

P. Not write? but then I think,
And for my soul I cannot sleep a wink.
I nod in company, I wake at night;
Fools rush into my head, and so I write.

F. You could not do a worse thing for your life.
Why, if the night seem tedious—take a wife:
Or rather, truly, if your point be rest,
Lettuce and cowslip wine : probatum est.
But talk with Celsus, Celsus will advise
Hartshorn, or something that shall close your eyes.
Or if you needs must write, write Cæsar's praise;
You'll gain at least a knighthood, or the bays.
P. What? like Sir Richard, rumbling, rough,

and fierce, With arms, and George, and Brunswick, crowd

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the verse;

Rend with tremendous sound your ears asunder,
With gun,drum,trumpet,blunderbuss, and thunder?
Or, nobly wild, with Budgell's fire and force,
Paint angels trembling round his falling horse?

F. Then all your Muse's softer art display,
Let Carolina smooth the tuneful lay;
Lull with Amelia’s liquid name the Nine,
And sweetly flow through all the royal line.

P. Alas! few verses touch their nicer ear; They scarce can bear their laureat twice a year ;

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The British Poets: Including Translations ...