IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS.

IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS.

DONE BY THE AUTHOR IN HIS YOUTH.

These Imitations were first grouped in the " Miscellanies," 1727, but the verses on Silence had previously appeared in Lintot's Miscellany, 1712. The Imitation of Swift is probably of a later date than the others, as Pope's acquaintance with the Dean only began in 1713, and the latter had at that date published little in the manner which is here copied. Generally speaking these compositions, though not always decent, are extremely interesting as showing the versatility and sympathy of Pope's genius, and his rare command of style.

I.

CHAUCER.'

WOMEN ben full of Ragerie,'

Yet swinken not sans secresie.
Thilke Moral shall ye understond,

From Schoole-boy's Tale of fayre Irelond:
Which to the Fennes hath him betake,
To filch the gray Ducke fro the Lake.
Right then, there passen by the Way
His Aunt, and eke her Daughters tway.
Ducke in his Trowses hath he hent,
Not to be spied of Ladies gent.
"But ho! our Nephew," (crieth one)
"Ho!" quoth another, "Cozen John;"
And stoppen, and lough, and callen out,-
This sely Clerk full low doth lout :

1 In the "Miscellanies" the Imitation is entitled "A Tale of Chaucer, lately found in an old manuscript."

10

2 From the Wife of Bath's Pro

logue:

And I was yonge and full of ragerie.

They asken that, and talken this,
"Lo here is Coz, and here is Miss."

But, as he glozeth with Speeches soote,
The Ducke sore tickleth his Erse-roote:
Fore-piece and buttons all-to-brest,
Forth thrust a white neck, and red crest.

1

"Te-he," cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought spake :
Miss star'd; and gray Ducke crieth Quake.
"O Moder, Moder," (quoth the daughter)
"Be thilke same thing Maids longer a'ter?
"Bette is to pyne on coals and chalke,
"Then trust on Mon, whose yerde can talke."

1 So Hudibras, Part 3, Canto 3, 133:

That laughed and te-he'd with derision.

15

20

25

IN ev'ry Town, where Thamis rolls his Tyde, A narrow pass there is, with Houses low; Where ever and anon, the Stream is ey'd, And many a Boat soft sliding to and fro.