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SATIRES

AND

EPISTLE S

O F

HORA CE

IMITATE D.

ΤΗ

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HE occafion of publishing these Imitations was the Clamour raised on some of my Epistles. An Anfwer 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 fo eminent a Divine as Dr. Donne, feemed a proof with what indignation and contempt a Christian may treat Vice or Folly, in ever fo low, or ever fo high a Station. Both thefe Authors were acceptable to the Princes and Minifters 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 reason to encourage, the mistaking a Satirist for a Libeller; whereas to a true Satirist nothing is fo odious as a Libeller, for the fame reafon 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 thefe IMITATIONS, will be much difappointed. 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 fo frequently ferious where Horace is in jeft; and at ease where Horace is difturbed. In a word, he regulates his movements no further on his Original, than was neceffary for his Concurrence in promoting their common plan of Reformation of manners."

Had it been his purpose merely to paraphrafe an ancient Satirift, 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 simpleft language with dignity, and the most ornamented, with eafe. For the reft, his harmony and ftrength of numbers, his force and fplendor of colouring, his gravity and fublimity of fentiment, would have rather led him to another model. Nor was his temper lefs unlike that of Horace, than his talents. What Horace would only fmile at, Mr. Pope would treat with the grave severity of Perfius: and what Mr. Pope would ftrike with the cauftic 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 fplendor on original wit. Befides, he deemed it more modeft to give the name of Imitations to his Satires, than, like Defpreaux, to give the name of Satires to Imitations.

BOOK

P.

BOOK II. SATIRE I.

T

To Mr. FORTESCUE.

HERE are (I fcarce can think it, but am told)

a There are, to whom my Satire feems too bold: Scarce to wife Peter complaifant enough,

And fomething faid of Chartres much too rough.
The lines are weak, another's pleas'd to fay,
Lord Fanny fpins a thousand such a day.
Timorous by nature, of the Rich in awe,
c I come to Council learned in the Law:

You'll give me, like a friend both fage and free,
Advice; and (as you use) without a Fee.

F. d I'd write no more.

5

10

HORATIUS.

P. Not

TREBATIUS.

HORATIUS.

SUNT quibus in Satira videar nimis acer, et ultra Legem tendere opus ; b fine nervis altera, quidquid Compofui, pars effe putat, fimilefque meorum Mille die verfus deduci poffe. Trebati,

Quid faciam? praefcribe.

T & Quiefcas.

с

H. Ne faciam, inquis,

Omnino verfus ?

T. Aio.

P. Not write? but then I think,

e And for my foul I cannot sleep a wink.

I nod in company, I wake at night,
Fools rush into my head, and fo I write.

F. You could not do a worfe thing for your life. 15 Why, if the nights feem tedious-take a wife: f Or rather truly, if your point be rest, Lettuce and cowflip wine; " Probatum eft." But talk with Celfus, Celfus will advise Hartfhorn, or fomething that fhall clofe your eyes. g Or, if you needs muft write, write Cæfar's Praise, h You'll gain at least a Knighthood, or the Bays. P. What? like Siri Richard, rumbling, rough, and

fierce,

20

With Arms and George and Brunfwick crowd the

verfe,

Rend with tremendous found your ears afunder,

25

With Gun, Drum, Trumpet, Blunderbufs, and Thun

der?

Or

H. Peream male, fi non

Optimum erat: verum nequeo dormire.

T. f Ter uncti

Tranfnanto Tiberim, fomno quibus eft opus alto;
Irriguumve mero fub noctem corpus habento.
8 Aut fi tantus amor fcribendi te rapit, aude
Cæfaris invicti res dicere, h multa laborum
Praemia laturus.

H. Cupidum, Pater optime, vires
Deficiunt: i neque enim quivis horrentia pilis

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