Yet to be just to these poor men of pelf, 110 P. Some war, some plague, or famine, they foresee, Some revelation hid from you and me. 115 Why Shylock wants a meal, the cause is found, 120 Why she and Sappho raise that monstrous sum ? Wise Peter 18 sees the world's respect for gold, 125 130 16 In the extravagance and luxury of the South Sea year, the price of a haunch of venison was from three to five pounds. 17 Many people about the year 1733, had a conceit that such a thing was intended, of which it is not improbable this lady might have some intimation. 18 Peter Walter, a person, not only eminent in the wisdom of his profession as a dexterous attorney, but allowed to be a good, if not a safe, conveyancer; extremely respected by the nobility of this land, though free from all manner of luxury and ostentation: his wealth was never seen, and his bounty was never heard of, except to his own son, for whom he procured an employ ment of considerable profit, of which he gave him as much as was necessary. Therefore the taxing this gentleman with any ambition, is certainly a great wrong to him. 19 A Roman lawyer, so rich as to purchase the empire when it was set to sale upon the death of Pertinax. 20 The two persons here mentioned were of quality, each of whom in the Mississipi despised to realize above three hundred thousand pounds; the gentleman, with a view to the purchase of the crown of Poland, the lady, on a vision of the like royal nature. They since retired into Spain, where they are still in search of gold in the mines of the Asturias. Congenial souls; whose life one avarice joins, And one fate buries in the Asturian mines. Much-injured Blunt! 21 why bears he Britain's hate? 135 140 See Britain sunk in lucre's sordid charms, And France revenged on Anne's and Edward's arms!" Twas no court-badge, great scrivener, fired thy brain, 146 No, 'twas thy righteous end, ashamed to see And, nobly wishing party-rage to cease, To buy both sides, and give thy country peace. 150 155 Hear then the truth: 'Tis Heaven each passion sends, "And different men directs to different ends. 160 Extremes in Nature equal good produce, 21 Sir John Blunt, originally a scrivener, was one of the first projectors of the South Sea Company, and afterwards one of the directors and chief managers of the famous scheme in 1720. He was also one of those who suffered most severely by the bill of pains and penalties on the said directors. He was a Dissenter, of a most religious deportment, and professed to be a great believer. Whether he did really credit the prophecy here mentioned is not certain, but it was constantly in this very style he declaimed against the corruption and luxury of the age, the partiality of parliaments, and the misery of party-spirit. He was particularly eloquent against avarice in great and noble persons, of which he had indeed lived to see many miserable examples. He died in the year 1732. Ask we what makes one keep, and one bestow? 165 170 The next, a fountain, spouting through his heir, 175 Yet was not Cotta void of wit or worth: 180 His court with nettles, moats with cresses stored, With soups unbought and salads blessed his board ? 22 Than Brahmins, saints, and sages did before; To cram the rich was prodigal expense, 185 And who would take the poor from Providence? Like some lone Chartreux stands the good old hall, 190 195 Not so his son, he mark'd this oversight, 200 Yet sure, of qualities deserving praise, More go to ruin fortunes than to raise. What slaughter'd hecatombs, what floods of wine, Yet no mean motives this profusion draws, 205 24 210 And heads the bold train-bands, and burns a pope. 215 220 To enjoy them, and the virtue to impart, | Join with economy, magnificence; With splendour, charity; with plenty, health; 24 [In first edition ""Tis the dear Prince (Sir John) that crowns thy cup."] 25 After ver. 218, in the MS. "Where one lean herring furnish'd Cotta's board, Where mad good-nature, bounty misapplied, In lavish Curio blazed awhile and died; There Providence once more shall shift the scene, And showing Hy, teach the golden mean." 225 [The blank in the last line may be filled up with the name of Harley, second Earl of Oxford. (See verse 243.) He married the daughter and heiress of John, Duke of Newcastle. Pope very ingeniously makes these variations in the text convey compliments or censures as he chooses.] 26 After ver. 226, in the MS. ["The B. To worth or want well weigh'd, be bounty given, 230 235 P. Who starves by nobles, or with nobles eats? The wretch that trusts them, and the rogue that cheats. Without a fiddler, flatterer, or buffoon? 240 Whose table, wit or modest merit share, Un-elbow'd by a gamester, pimp, or player? Who copies yours, or Oxford's better part, 27 To ease the oppress'd, and raise the sinking heart? Where'er he shines, oh Fortune, gild the scene, 245 But all our praises why should lords engross ? Rise, honest Muse! and sing the Man of Ross: 28 Pleased Vaga echoes through her winding bounds, And rapid Severn hoarse applause resounds. "The secret rare, with affluence hardly join'd, Which W-n lost, yet By ne'er could find: 250 [We would offer as a conjecture the names of Wharton, Bishop Berkeley, Granville (Lord Lansdowne), and Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham.] 27 Edwin Harley, Earl of Oxford, the son of Robert, created Earl of Oxford, and Earl Mortimer by Queen Anne. This nobleman died [1741] regretted by all men of letters, great numbers of whom had experienced his benefits. He left behind him one of the most noble libraries in Europe. 28 The person here celebrated, who with a small estate actually performed all these good works, and whose true name was almost lost (partly by the title of the Man of Ross, given him by way of eminence, and partly by being buried without so much as an inscription) was called Mr. John Kyrle. He died in the year 1724, aged 90, and lies interred in the chancel of the church of Ross, in Herefordshire. After ver. 250, in the MS. "Trace humble worth beyond Sabrina's shore, |