SATIRE IV. WELL, if it be my time to quit the stage, I die in charity with fool and knave, With foolish pride my heart was never fir'd, 10 Yet went to Court!-the Dev'l would have it fo. 15 But, as the Fool that in reforming days Would go to Mafs in jeft (as story says) Could not but think, to pay his fine was odd, NOTES. So VER. 13. Had no new verses, nor new fuit to show ;] Warburton fays, this is an "infinuation, that Court-Poetry, like Courtclothes, only comes thither in honour of the Sovereign; and ferves but to fupply a day's converfation !!" VER. 14. the Dev'l would] This addition is mean. And line below, 26. is perhaps the greatest violation of harmony Pope has ever been guilty of, by beginning the Verfe with the word Noah. And line 17, bis fine was odd, seems to be very exceptionable. As prone to all ill, and of good as forget- Therefore I fuffer'd this; towards me did run Than Africk Monsters, Guianaes rarities, Stranger than strangers: one who, for a Dane, tho' bare. NOTES. Sleeve VER. 19. So was I punish'd,] Thus in former editions : Such was my Fate, whom Heav'n adjudg'd, Pope made many alterations in this Satire, and feems to have taken pains in correcting it. Line 65, and fucceeding ones, flood thus: Well met, he cries, and happy fure for each, For I am pleas'd to learn, and you to teach. Line 86 food as follows: Obliging Sir, I love you I profefs, But wish you lik'd Retreat a little lefs, Spirits So was I punish'd, as if full as proud As prone to ill, as negligent of good, As deep in debt, without a thought to pay, 4 20 } Who live at Court, for going once that way! Where all the Race of Reptiles might embark: A verier monster, than on Africk's shore Or Sloan or Woodward's wondrous fhelves contain, The watch would hardly let him pass at noon, At night would fwear him dropt out of the Moon. One, whom the mob, when next we find or make A popish plot, shall for a Jefuit take, And the wife Juftice, starting from his chair, 31 35 Cry, By your Priesthood tell me what you are? The NOTES. Spirits like you, belive me, fhould be feen, So much alone, to fpeak plain truth between us, Line 154, ran thus: Shows Poland's Intereft, takes the Primate's Part. Dr. Johnfon fpeaks, methinks, too flightingly of thefe Imitations of Donne, when he fays, "That Pope feems to have known their imbecillity." WARTON. Sleeveless his jerkin was, and had it been Velvet, but 'twas now (fo much ground was feen) Become Tufftaffaty; and our children shall See it plain rafh a while, then nought at all. And only knoweth what to all States belongs, Me to hear this, yet I must be content With his tongue, in his tongue call'd Complement: In which he can win widows, and pay scores, Make men speak treason, couzen subtlest whores, Outflatter favourites, or outlie either Jovius, or Surius, or both together. He names me, and comes to me; I whisper, God, How have I finn'd, that thy wrath's furious Rod, This fellow, chuseth me! He faith, Sir, I love your judgment, whom do you prefer Said that I thought Calepine's Dictionary. NOTES. Nay, VER. 68. "The King's," faid I.] "This fneer," faid the ingenious Mr. Wilkes, "is really indecent. The good Bishop who published an edition of his works, ought, in the mild limbo of his Commentary, to have foftened the feverity of this paffage." WARTON. The fuit, if by the fashion one might guess, First turn plain rash, then vanish quite away. 40 45 This thing has travell'd, speaks each language too, And knows what's fit for ev'ry ftate to do; Of whose best phrafe and courtly accent join'd, 50 Talkers I've learn'd to bear; Motteux I knew, And (all thofe plagues in one) the bawling Bar: 55 And Oldmixon and Burnet both outlie. бо 65 He fpies me out; I whisper, Gracious God! What fin of mine could merit fuch a rod? That all the fhot of dulnefs now muft be From this thy blunderbuss discharg'd on me! Permit (he cries) no ftranger to your fame To crave your fentiment, if 's your name. What Speech esteem you moft? "The King's," faid I. But the best words?" O, Sir, the Dictionary." |