T ADVERTISEMENT. HE occafion of publishing these Imitations was the Clamour raifed on fome of my Epistles. An Answer from Horace was both more full, and of more Dignity, than any I could have made in my own perfon; 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 under whom they lived. The Satires of Dr. Donne I verfified, at the defire of the Earl of Oxford while he was Lord Treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who had been Secretary of State: neither of whom 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 reafon to encourage, the mistaking a Satirist for a Libeller; whereas to a true Satirift nothing is fo odious as a Libeller, for the fame reason as to a man truly virtuous nothing is so hateful as a Hypocrite. " Uni aequus Virtuti atque ejus Amicis." WHOEVER WHOEVER expects a Paraphrase of Horace, or a faithful Copy of his genius, or manner of writing, in these IMITATIONS, will be much disappointed. Our Author uses the Roman Poet for little more than his canvas: And if the old defign or colouring chance to fuit his purpose, it is well; if not, he employs his own, without fcruple or ceremony. Hence it is, he is so frequently serious where Horace is in jest, and at ease where Horace is difturbed. In a word, he regulates his movements no further on his Original, than was necessary for his Concurrence in promoting their common plan of Reformation of manners. Had it been his purpose merely to paraphrafe an ancient Satirist, he had hardly made choice of Horace; with whom, as a Poet, he held little in common, befides a comprehenfive knowledge of life and manners, and a certain curious felicity of expreffion, which confifts in using the simplest language with dignity, and the most ornamented with ease. For the rest, his harmony and strength of numbers, his force and splendor of colouring, his gravity and fublimity of sentiment, would have rather led him to another model. Nor was his temper less unlike that of Horace, than his talents. What Horace would only smile at, Mr. Pope would treat with the grave severity of Perfius; and what Mr. Pope would strike with the caustic lightning of Juvenal, Horace would content himself in turning into ridicule. If it be asked then, why he took any body at all to imitate, he has informed us in his Advertisement: To which we may add, that this fort of Imitations, which are of the nature of Parodies, adds reflected grace and splendor on original wit. Besides, he deemed it more modest to give the name of Imitations to his Satires, than, like Despréaux, to give the name of Satires to Imitations. BOOK BOOK II. P.T SATIRE I. To Mr. FORTESCUE. HERE are (I scarce can think it, but am told) Scarce to wife Peter complaisant enough, 5 10 P. Not. HORATIUS. TREBATIUS. HORATIUS. • SUNT quibus in Satira videar nimis acer, et ultra 2 Legem tendere opus; b fine nervis altera, quidquid Compofui, pars esse putat, fimilesque meorum Mille die versus deduci posse. Quid faciam? praefcribe. Trebati, T. d Quiefcas. H. Ne faciam, inqui Omnino verfus? T. Aio. P. Not write? but then I think, *And for my foul I cannot fleep 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. 15 Why, if the nights seem tedious-take a wife: fOr rather truly, if your point be rest, Lettuce and cowflip wine; "Probatum eft." But talk with Celfus, Celfus will advise Hartshorn, or fomething that shall close your eyes. 20 Or, if you needs must write, write Cæfar'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 the verse, 25 Rend with tremendous found your ears afunder, der? H. Peream male, fi non Optimum erat: verum nequeo dormire. T. Ter uncti Transnanto Tiberim, fomno quibus est opus alto; H. Cupidum, Pater optime, vires Or |