The Scene, the Master, opening to my view, Ev'n in a Bishop I can spy Desert; NOTES. 70 75 dens of Esher in Surry, belonging to the Honourable Mr. Pelham, Brother of the Duke of Newcastle. The author could not have given a more amiable idea of his Character than in comparing him to Mr. Craggs. P. VER. 67. Kent and Nature] Means no more than art and And in this confifts the compliment to the Artist. nature. VER. 71. Secker is decent] These words (like those 135. of the first Dialogue) are another instance of the malignity of the public judgment. The Poet thought, and not without reason, that they conveyed a very high idea of the worthy person to whom they are applied; to be DECENT (or to become every station of life in which a man is placed) being the noblest encomium on his wisdom and virtue. It is the very topic he employs in speaking of a favourite friend, one he most esteemed and loved, Noble and young, who strikes the heart, With ev'ry sprightly, ev'ry DECENT part. The word in both places implying every endowment of the heart. As in that celebrated verse of Horace, from whence the expression was taken, aud which no one has a better right to apply to himself than this excellent prelate : Quid verum atque DECENS curo et rogo, et omnis in hoc fum. So that to be decent is to excell in the moral character. I shun his Zenith, court his mild Decline; Oft, in the clear, still Mirrour of Retreat, I study'd SHREWSBURY, the wife and great : CARLETON'S calm Sense, and STANHOPE'S noble Flame, 80 Compar'd, and knew their gen'rous End the same : How shin'd the Soul, unconquer'd in the Tow'r ! 2 NOTES. VER. 77. Sommers] John Lord Sommers died in 1716. He had been Lord Keeper in the reign of William III. who took from him the seals in 1700. The author had the honour of knowing him in 1706. A faithful, able, and incorrupt minister; who, to the qualities of a confummate statesman, added those of a man of Learning and Politeness. P. Ibid Halifax] A peer, no less distinguished by his love of letters than his abilities in Parliament. He was disgraced in 1710, on the Change of Q. Anne's ministry. P. VER. 79. Shrewsbury, Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury, had been Secretary of state, Embassador in France, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Chamberlain, and Lord Treasurer. He several times quitted his employments, and was often recalled. He died in 1718. P. VER. 80. Carleton] Hen. Boyle, Lord Carleton (nephew of the famous Robert Boyle) who was Secretary of itate under William III. and President of the Council under Q. Anne. P. Ibid. Stanhope] James Earl Stanhope. A Nobleman of equal courage, spirit, and learning. General in Spain, and Secretary of itate. P. How can I PULT'NEY, CHESTERFIELD forget, Train; And if yet higher the proud List should end, NOTES. 89 95 VER. 84. Chesterfield] Philip Earl of Chesterfield, commonly given by Writers of all Parties for an EXAMPLE to the Age he lives in, of fuperior talents, and public Virtue. VER. 88. Wyndham] Sir William Wyndham, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Queen Anne, made early a confiderable figure; but since a much greater both by his ability and eloquence, joined with the utmost judgment and temper. P. VER. 92. And if yet higher, etc.) He was at this time honoured with the esteem and favour of his Royal Highness the Prince. VER. 93. Still let me fay! No Follower, but a Friend.] i. e. Unrelated to their parties, and attached only to their persons. I never (to my forrow I declare) Din'd with the MAN of Ross, or my LORD MAY'R. Some, in their choice of Friends (nay look not grave) Have still a secret Byass to a Knave: 101 To find an honest man I beat about, And love him, court him, praise him, in or out. F. Then why so few commended ? P. Not so fierce ; Find you the Virtue, and I'll find the Verse. 105 For him she weeps, and him she weds agen. 110 115 NOTES. VER. 99. my Lord May'r] Sir John Barnard, Lord Mayor in the year of the Poem, 1738. A Citizen eminent for his virtue, public Spirit, and great talents in Parliament. An excellent Man, Magistrate, and Senator. In the year 1747, the City of London, in memory of his many and signal services to his Country, erected a Statue to him. But his image had been placed long before in the heart of every good Man. : What RICHLIEU wanted, Lours scarce could gain, Το Cato, Virgil pay'd one honeft line; 120 What are you thinking? F. Faith the thought's ne fin, I think your Friends are out and would be in. NOTES. 125 VER. 116. Louis scarce could gain.] By this expression finely infinuating, that the great Boileau always falls below himself in those passages where he flatters his Master. Of which flattery he gives an instance in $ 231. where the topic of adulation is exceeding childish and extravagant. VER. 127. 1 only call those Knaves who are so now.] He left it to Time to tell them, Cato is as great a Rogue as you. not the Cato of Virgil, but the Cato of Mr. Pope. See the Ep. on Riches. VER. 129. Spirit of Arnall!] Look for him in his place. Dunc. B. ii. $ 315. |