Non es avarus: abi. quid? cætera jam fimul ifto Lufifti fatis, edifti fatis, atque bibisti: NOTES. blemishes, these notes would be almost naufeously confined to perpetual panegyric ;-it being the rare and fingular talent of this Poet in general, rendre fans effort chaque idée, par le terme qui lui eft propre. VER. 312. Survey both worlds,] It is obfervable with what fobriety he has corrected the licentiousness of his Original, which made the expectation of another world a part of that superstition, he would explode; whereas the Imitator is only for removing the false terrors from the world of spirits; fuch as the diablerie of witchcraft and purgatory, W. If this was the intention of the Imitator, he should not have inferted the words, devils and fire. VER. 326. Leave fuch to trifle] It, perhaps, might have been better to have omitted these two laft lines: the fecond of which has a quaint and modern turn; and the humour consists in being driven off the ftage, potum largius aquo. The word lufifti in the Original, is used in a loose and naughty fenfe, fays Upton. As alfo 1. 4. 13. Od. and in Propertius, "But why all this of Av'rice? I have none." I wish you joy, Sir, of a Tyrant gone; But does no other lord it at this hour, As wild and mad? the Avarice of pow'r? Does neither Rage inflame, nor Fear appal? 305 With terrors round, can Reafon hold her throne, 310 In spite of witches, devils, dreams, and fire? And count each birth-day with a grateful mind? 315 Can'st thou endure a foe, forgive a friend? age As winter-fruits grow mild ere they decay? Or will you think, my friend, your business done, When, of a hundred thorns, you pull out one? 321 Learn to live well, or fairly make your will; You've play'd, and lov'd, and eat, and drank your fill: Walk fober off; before a fprightlier age Comes titt'ring on, and fhoves you from the stage: Leave fuch to trifle with more grace and ease, Whom Folly pleases, and whose Follies please. 326 THE SATIRES OF DR. JOHN DONNE, DEAN OF ST. PAUL'S, VERSIFIED. Quid vetat et nofmet Lucili fcripta legentes HOR. |