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be worthy either of the writer or of the man entombed." (7)

(Reply.) (1) The poet's meaning is very clear, unless it be purpofely perverted-" Neither the rank nor accomplishments of Dorset exempted him from the common lot of all men"-this was not intended for information, but it is a natural reflection. (2) "A patron to artists, and himself a philofopher."

(3) "He was the fcourge of pride wherefoever he found it--he corrected those pretenfions to learning where vanity was predominant, and had no refpect to knaves in power." (4) If this was his real character, fhould it be fuppreffed because it had been faid before? Befides, it has nothing particular, and may be justly said of many, without incurring the cenfure of plagiarism.

(5) This

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(5) This is an affertion without proof -as it is in the nature of an accusation, it ought to have been fupported.

(6) The word "facred" is frequently used without the leaft idea of a religious application

"Sacred to ridicule his whole life long,
And the fad burthen of fome merry fong."

POPE.

Nay, it required not Dr. Johnson's learning to know, that the Latin word from whence it is derived, fometimes fignifies the very reverse to any thing fet apart for divine ufes

Ego fum malus, ego fum facer, fceleftus.

PLAUTUS.

(7) It is worthy of both for ought that has appeared to the contrary-however, there is a fault, which, as it efcaped the notice of the poet (who furely had the best ear of the two) his critic

may

may be excused for not difcovering.— This is the jingle of the fame found, occafioned by the blameable repetition of pride" in the first and third lines.

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On Sir W. TRUMBAL.

A pleafing form, a firm, yet cautious mind,
Sincere, though prudent; constant, yet refign'd;
Honour unchang'd, a principle profest,

Fix'd to one fide, but moderate to the reft;
An honeft courtier, (9) yet a patriot too, (10)

Juft to his prince, and to his country true.
(11) Fill'd with the sense of age, the fire of youth,
A fcorn of wrangling, yet a zeal for truth;
A generous faith, from fuperftition free;

A love to peace, and hate of tyranny;

Such this man was; who now, from earth remov'd
(12) At length enjoys that liberty he lov'd.

POPE.

(Johnson.) "In this Epitaph ** is a fault ** the name is omitted (8) *** There is an opposition between an honest courtier and a patriot; for an honest courtier cannot but be a patriot (9) ** It was unfuitable to the nicety required in fhort compofitions, to close his verfe

with

with the word too (10) ** Fill'd is weak and profaic (11)*** The thought in the last line is impertinent *** it would have been just and pathetic if applied to Bernardi, who died in prison after a confinement of forty years without a crime; but why fhould Trumbal be congratulated on his liberty, who had never known restraint? (12)

(Reply.) (8) Undoubtedly, a fault in the Epitaph.

(9) Moft certainly, an "honeft" man is fo in all stations, but Pope himself explains his meaning "He was just to his prince (an honest courtier) and true to his country (a patriot too)."

(10) To be fure, if this monofyllable be taken out of its place, and looked at very particularly, there is nothing in it to engage much attention-for this the poet is not accountable.

(11) The

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(11) The foregoing remark will in part apply to this-in fact, there is nothing of fufficient confequence to justify obfervation.

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(12) Dr. Johnfon's religion undoubtedly taught him, that the foul, when united to the body, is in a state of confinement" When fhall I be delivered from this body of death?" exclaims St. Paul"While we are confined in this penfold fays Milton. There is nothing new or particular in this: the doctrine is held by all orthodox believers, in which number the Doctor is moft furely included.

here,'

On the Honorable S. HARCOURT.

To this fad fhrine, whoe'er thou art, draw near,
Here lies the friend most lov'd, the fon moft dear,
Who ne'er knew joy, but friendship might divide,
Or gave his father grief, but when he died.

How vain is reafon, eloquence how weak!
If Pope must tell what Harcourt cannot speak.
Oh! let thy once-lov'd friend infcribe thy ftone,
And with a father's forrow mix his own.

POPE.

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