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His Wealth brave Timon gloriously confounds; 85
Afk'd for a groat, he gives a hundred pounds;
Or if three Ladies like a luckless Play,
Takes the whole House upon the Poet's day.
8 Now, in fuch exigencies not to need,
Upon my word, you must be rich indeed;
A noble fuperfluity it craves,

90

Not for yourself, but for your Fools and Knaves; Something, which for your Honour they may cheat, And which it much becomes you to forget.

h If Wealth alone then make and keep us bleft, 95 Still, ftill be getting, never, never rest.

But if to Pow'r and Place your paffion lie,

If in the Pomp of Life confift the joy ;

k

Then hire a Slave, or (if you will) a Lord
To do the Honours, and to give the Word;

Tell at your Levee, as the Crouds approach,

1

100

To whom to nod, whom take into your Coach, Whom honour with your hand: to make remarks, Whom rules in Cornwall, or who rules in Berks: "This may be troublesome, is near the Chair: 106 "That makes three Members, this can chufe a * May'r.”

NOTES.

VER. 91. A noble fuperfluity, etc.] Thefe four lines are an admirable paraphrafe on

Exilis domus eft, ubi non et multa fuperfunt,
Et dominum fallunt, et profunt furibus.

Cui volet, importunus ebur: " Frater, Pater, adde:

Ut cuique eft aetas, ita quemque facetus adopta. Si bene qui coenat, bene vivit: lucet, eamus Quo ducit gula: pifcemur, venemur, ut 1 olim Gargilius: qui mane plagas, venabula, fervos, Differtum tranfire forum populumque jubebat,

Unus ut e multis populo fpectante referret

r

Emtum mulus aprum. crudi, tumidique lavemur,

Quid deceat, quid non, obliti; Caerite cera

S

Digni: remigium vitiofum Ithacenfis Ulyffei ;

t

Cui potior patria fuit interdicta voluptas.

Si, Mimnermus uti cenfet, fine amore jocifque

Nil eft jucundum; vivas in amore jocifque.

W

Vive, vale. fi quid novifti rectius iftis,

Candidus imperti: fi non, his utere mecum.

NOTES.

VER. 127. Wilmot] Earl of Rochester.

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Inftructed thus, you bow, embrace, proteft,
Adopt him " Son, or Coufin at the leaft,

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Then turn about, and laugh at your own Jeft.
Or if your life be one continu'd Treat,

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If P to live well means nothing but to eat;
Up, up! cries Gluttony, 'tis break of day,
Go drive the Deer, and drag the finny-prey;
With hounds and horns go hunt an Appetite 115
So Ruffel did, but could not eat at night,
Call'd happy Dog! the Beggar at his door,

And envy'd Thirst and Hunger to the Poor.
Or fhall we ev'ry Decency confound,
Thro' Taverns, Stews, and Bagnio's take our round,
Go dine with Chartres, in each Vice out-do
SK-l's lewd Cargo, or Ty-y's Crew,

121

From Latian Syrens, French Circæan Feasts,
Return well travell'd, and transform'd to Beafts,
Or for a Titled Punk, or foreign Flame,
Renounce our 'Country, and degrade our Name?
If, after all, we must with Wilmot own,
The Cordial Drop of Life is Love alone,
And SWIFT cry wifely, "Vive la Bagatelle !"
The Man that loves and laughs, muft fure do well.
w Adieu-if this advice appear the worst,
E'en take the Counsel which I gave you firft:
Or better precepts if you can impart,
Why do, I'll follow them with all my heart.

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THE

FIRST EPISTLE

OF THE

SECOND BOOK

O F

HORAC E.

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