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Scriptor abhinc annos centum, qui decidit, inter Perfectos, veteresne referri debet? an inter Viles, atque novos? excludat jurgia finis. 13 Est vetus, atque probus, centum qui perficit annos?

Quid qui deperiit minor uno mense, vel anno,
Inter quos referendus erit? veteresne poetas,
An quos et præsens, et postera respuet ætas ?
Iste quidem veteres inter ponetur honeste,
Qui vel mense brevi vel toto est junior anno.
Utor permisso, caudæque pilos ut equinæ

14 Paulatim vello, et demo unum, demo etiam unum;

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ema.

Ambigitur quoties uter utro sit prior, aufert Pacuvius docti famam senis, Accius alti: Dicitur Afrani toga convenisse Menandro; [mi; Plautus ad exemplar Siculi properare Epichar18 Vincere Cæcilius gravitate, Terentius arte. 19 Hos ediscit, et hos arcto stipata theatro

Spectat Roma potens: habet hos numeratque poetas

Ad nostrum tempus, Livî scriptoris ab ævo. 20 Interdum vulgus rectum videt; est ubi peccat. 21 Si veteres ita miratur laudatque poetas,

Ut nihil anteferat, nihil illis comparet, errat: 22 Si quædam nimis antiqua, si pleraque dure Dicere credit eos, ignave multa fatetur, Et sapit, et mecum facit, et Jove judicat æquo.

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Non equidem insector, delendave carmina Livi Esse reor, memini quæ plagosum mihi parvo 24 Orbilium dictitare; sed emendata videri, [ror. Pulchráque, et exactis minimum distantia, mi25 Inter quæ verbum emicuit si forte decorum, et Si versus paulos concinnior unus et alter, Injustum totum ducit venditque poema. 26 Indignor quicquam reprehendi, non qui crassè Compositum illepidéve putetur, sed quia nuper; Nec veniam antiquis, sed honorem et præmia posci.

27 Rectè necne crocum floresque perambulat Attæ Fabula si dubitem, clamant periisse pudorem Cuncti pene patres; ea cum reprendere coner Quæ gravis Esopus, quæ doctus Roscius egit: Vel quia nil rectum, nisi quod placuit sibi, ducunt ; 28 Vel quia turpe putant parere minoribus, et quæ Imberbis didicere, senes perdenda fateri.

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Or are they knaves but since the Revolution? If none of these are facts then all 's contusion; And by the self-same rule one cannot fail 13 To pluck each hair out singly from the tail. 14 Wise Cecil, lov'd by people and by prince, As often broke his word as any since:

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15 Of Arthur's days we almost nothing know,
Yet sing their praise, because they 're long ago.
Oft as 't is doubted in their several ways
Which of past orators best merit praise,
We find it to decide extremely hard,

If Harley's head deserv'd the most regard,
Or Windham's tongue, or Jekyl's patriot heart,
17 Old Shippen's gravity, or Walpole's art.
18 These were ador'd by all with whom they voted,
And in the fullest houses still are quoted;
These have been fam'd from Anna's days till ours,
When Pelham has improv'd, with unknown pow-
The art of ministerial eloquence,

[ers,

By adding honest truth to nervous sense. 19 Oft are the vulgar wrong, yet sometimes right; The late rebellion in the truest light

By chance they saw; but were not once so wise, Unknown, unheard, in damning the excise: 20 If former reigns they fancy had no fauit,

I think their judgment is not worth a groat: 21 But if they frankly own their politics, Like ours, might have some blunders, and some tricks,

22

With such impartial sentiments I join,
And their opinions tally just with mine.

I would by no means church or king destroy, And yet the doctrines, taught me when a boy 23 By Crab the curate, now seem wondrous odd, That either came immediately from God; 24 In all the writings of those high-flown ages

You meet with now and then some scatter'd

pages

Wrote with some spirit, and with sense enough; These sell the book, the rest is wretched stuff: 25 I'm quite provok'd, when principles, though true, [new.

Must stand impeach'd by fools, because they're 26 Should I but question, only for a joke,

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If all was flow'rs, when poumpous Hanmer spoke, If things went right, when St.John trod the stage, How the old Tories all would storm and rage! They shun conviction, or because a truth Confess'd in age implies they err'd in youth; Or that they scorn to learn of junior wits: What!-to be taught by Lytteltons and Pitts. When angry patriots, or in prose or rhymes, Extol the virtuous deeds of former times, They only mean the present to disgrace, And look with envious hate on all in place: 29 But had the patriots of those ancient days Play'd the same game for profit, or for praise, The trade, though now so flourishing and new, Had long been ruin'd and the nation too. England, when once of peace and wealth possess'd,

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Began to think frugality a jest,

So grew polite; hence all her well-bred heirs 31 Gamesters and jockies turn'd, and cricket-play

ers;

52 Pictures and busts in ev'ry house were seen; What should have paid the butcher, bought Poussin ;

33 Now operas, now plays were all the fashion,

Then whist became the bus'ness of the nation,

34 Nunc tibicinibus, nunc est gavisa tragœdis:
35 Sub nutrice puella velut si luderet infans,

Quod cupidè petiit, mature plena reliquit.
Quid placet aut odio est, quod non mutabile cre-

das?

36 Hoc paces habuere bonæ, ventique secundi. 37 Romæ dulce din fuit et solenne reclusa Mane domo vigilare, clienti promere jura, Cautos nominibus rectis expendere nummos, 38 Majores audire, minores dicere per quæ Crescere res posset, minui damnosa libido.

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Mutavit mentem populus levis ; et calet uno Scribendi stud o: pueri, patresque severi

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40 Fronde comas vincti cœnant, et carmina dictant. 41 Ipse ego, qui nullus me aflirmo scribere versus, Invenior Parthis mendacior, et prius orto Sole, vigil calamum et chartas et scrinia posco. Navem agere ignarus navis timet; abrotonum [rum est, Non audet nisi qui didicit, dare; quod medicoPromittunt medic.: tractant fabrilia fabri: Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim. Hic error tamen, et levis hæc insania quantas Virtutes habeat, sic collige: Vatis avarus 44 Non temere est animus; versus amat, hoc stu

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det unum ;

45 Detrimenta, fugas servorum, incendia ridet; 46 Non fraudem socio, puerove incogitat ullum Pupillo, 47 vivit siliquis, et pane secundo. 48 Militiæ quanquam piger et malus, utilis urbi; 49 Si das hoc parvis quoque rebus magna juvari 50 Os tenerum pueri balbumque poe'a figurat; 51 Torquet ab obscœnis jam nunc sermonibus aurem;

52 Mox etiam pectus præceptis format amicis, Asperitatis et invidiæ corrector, et iræ ; 53 Recte facta resert; orientia tempora notis Instruit exemplis ; 54 inopem solatur et ægrum. 55 Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti

Disceret unde preces, vatem ni musa dedisset? Poscit opem chorus, et præsentia numina sentit, 56 Caelestes implorat aquas doctâ prece blandus; 57 Avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit; 58 Impetrat et pacem, et locupletem frugibus an

nuin.

34 That, like a froward child, in wanton play Now cries for toys, then tosses them away; Each hour we chang'd our pleasures, dress, and diet;

35 These were the bless'd effects of being quiet. 36 Not thus behav'd the true old English 'squire, He smok'd his pipe each morn by his own fire, There justice to dispense was ever willing, And for his warrants pick 'd up many a shilling: 37 To teach his younger neighbours always glad, Where for their corn best markets might be bad, And from experienc'd age as glad to learn, How to defraud unseen the parson's barn.

38

But now the world's quite alter'd, all are bent
To leave their seats, and fly to parliament:
O.d men and boys in this alone agree,
And, vainly courting popularity,

Ply their obstrep'rous voters all night long 39 With bumpers, toasts, and now and then a song: 40 Ev'n I, who swear these follies I despise,

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Than statesmen, or their porters, tell more lies;
And, for the fashion-sake, in spite of nature,
Commence sometimes a most important crea-
Busy as Car-w, rave for ink and quills, [ture,
And stuff my head and pockets full of bills.

Few landmeu go to sea unless they're press'd,
And quacks in all professions are a jest ;
None dare to kill, except most learn'd physi-
cians:

Learn'd, or unlearn'd, we all are politicians.
There's not a soul but thinks, could be be sent,
He's parts enough to shine in parliament.

Though many ills this modern taste produces, Yet, still, my lord, 't is not without its uses; 43 These minor politicians are a kind

Not much to selfish avarice inclin'd;

Do but allow them with applause to speak, 44 They little care, though all their tenants break; 45 They form intrigues with no man's wife, or daughter,

46 And live on pudding, chicken-broth, and water; 47 Fierce Jacobites, as far as blust'ring words,

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But loth in any cause to draw their swords. Were smaller matters worthy of attention, A thousand other uses I could mention; For instance, in each monthly magazine Their essays and orations still are seen, 49 And magazines teach boys and girls to read, And are the canons of each tradesmau's creed; Apprentices they serve to entertain,

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50 Instead of smutty tales and plays profane, 51 Instruct them how their passions to command, And to hate none-but those who rule the land: 52 Facts they record, births, marriages, and deaths, 53 Sometimes receipts for claps, and stinking breaths. [town, When with her brothers miss comes up to How for each play can she afford a crown? Where find diversions gratis, and yet pretty, Unless she goes to church, or a committee? And sure committees better entertain, 55 Than hearing a dull parson pray for rain, 56 Or wining beg deliverance from battle,

Dangers, and sins, and sickness amongst cattle; At church she hears with unattentive ear 57 The pray'rs for peace, and for a plenteous year, But here quite charm'd with so much wit and She falls a victim soon to eloquence; [sense, Well may she fall, since eloquence has power 58 To govern both the upper house and lower.

59 Carmine Dii superi placantur, carmine Manes 60 Agricolæ prisci, fortes, parvoque beati, 61 Condita post frumenta, levantes tempore festo Corpus, et ipsum animum spe finis dura feren

tem,

Cum sociis operum, et pueris, et conjuge fidâ, Tellurem porco, Svivanum lacte piabant, Floribus et vino Genium, memorem brevis ævi. 62 Fescennina per hunc inventa ficentia morem Versibus alternis opprobria rustica fudit; 63 Libertasque recurrentes accepta per annos Lusit amabiliter, donec jam sævus apertam 64 In rabiem verti cœpit jocus, et per honestas Ire domos impunè minax: doluere cruento 65 Dente lacessiti: fuit intactis quoque cura

Conditione super communi: quin etiam lex 66 Pœnaque la a, malo quæ nollet carmine quenquam

Describi: vertere modum, formidine fustis, Ad bene dicendum, delectandumque reducti. 67 Græcia capta ferum victorem cepit, et artes Intulit agresti Latio, sic horridus ille. 68 Defluxit numerus Saturnius; et grave virus Munditiæ pepulere: sed in longum tamen ævum 69 Manserunt, hodieque manent vestigia ruris. 70 Serus enim Græcis admovit acumina chartis; Et post Punica bella quietus, quærere cœpit Quid Sophocles, et Thespis, et Eschylus utile ferrent.

Tentavit quoque rem, si dignè vertere posset, 71 Et placuit sibi, naturâ sublimis et acer:

Nam spirat tragicum satis, et feliciter audet; 72 Sed turpem putat in scriptis, metuitque lituram. 73 Creditur ex medio quia res arcessit, habere 74 Sudoris mininum; sed habet Comœdia tanto Plus oneris, quanto venia minus: 75 Aspice Plautus

76 Quo pacto partes tutetur amantis ephebi! 77 Ut patris attenti; 78 lenonis ut insidiosi;

Quantus sit Dorsennus 79 edac bus in parasitis; 80 Quam non adstricto percurrat pulpita socco! 81 Gestit enim nummos in loculos demittere, post Securus cadat, an recto stet fabula talo. [hoc 82 Quem tulit ad scenam ventoso gloria curru, Exanimat lentus spectator, sedulus inflat;

83 Sic leve, sic parvum est, animum quod laudis

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Our ancient gentry, frugal, bold, and rough, Were farmers, yet liv'd happily enough;

60 They, when in barns their corn was safely laid, For harvest-homes great entertainments made, The well-rubb'd tables crack'd with beef and pork,

And all the supper shar'd who shar'd the work; 61 This gave freeholders first a taste for eating,

And was the source of all election-treating; 62 A while their jests, though merry, yet were wise, And they took none but decent liberties. Brandy and punch at length such riots bred, 63 No sober family could sleep in bed : 64 All were alarm'd, even those who had no hurt 65 Call'd in the law, to stop such dang'rous sport. 66 Rich citizens at length new arts brought down With ready cash, to win each country town; 67 This less disorders caus'd than downright drink, Freemen grew civil, and began to think; 68 But still all canvassing produc'd confusion, The relics of its rustic institution.

69

'T is but of late, since thirty years of peace To useful sciences have given increase, That we 've inquir'd how Rome's lost sons of old Barter'd their liberties for feasts and gold; What treats proud Sylla, Cæsar, Crassus gave, And try'd, like them, to buy each hungry knave; Nor try'd in vain; 70 too fortunately bold Many have purchas'd votes, and many sold; No laws can now amend this venal land, 71 That dreads the touch of a reforming hand. Some think an int'rest may be form'd with

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ease,

Because the vulgar we must chiefly please; 73. But for that reason 't is the harder task,

For such will neither pardon grant, nor ask. 74 See how sir W--, master of this art,

By diffrent methods wins each C-n heart. 75 He tells raw youths, that whoring is no harm, 76 And teaches their attentive sires to farm; To his own table lovingly invites

77 Insidious pimps, and 78 hungry parasites: 79 Sometimes in slippers, and a morning gown, He pays his early visits round a town, At ev'ry house relates his stories over, Of place-bills, taxes, turnips, and Hanover; 80 If tales will money save, and bus'ness do, It matters little, are they false or true.

81

Whoe'er prefers a clam'rous mob's applause
To his own conscience, or his country's cause,
Is soon elated, and as soon cast down
By ev'ry drunken cobler's smile or frown;
82 So small a matter can depress or raise

A mind that 's meanly covetous of praise:
But if my quiet must dependent be

On the vain breath of popularity,

A wind each hour to diff'rent quarters veering, 83 Adieu, say I, to all electioneering. 84

86

The boldest orator it disconcerts,

To find the many though of meanest parts,
Illit'rate, squabbling, discontented prigs,
Fitter t' attend a boxing-match at Figg's,
To all good sense and reason shut their ears,
Yet take delight in S-d-m's 85 bulls and
[tant shire

bears.

Young knights now sent from many a disAre better pleas'd with what they see than hear; Their joy 's to view his majesty approach, Drawn by eight milk-white steeds in gilded

coach,

87 Verum equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas

Omnis ad incertos oculos, et gaudia vana. Quatuor aut plures Aulæa premuntur in horas, 88 Dum fugiunt equitum turma, peditumque catervæ ;

Mox trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis, Esseda festinant, pilenta, petorrita, naves, 89 Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus. Si foret in terris rideret Democritus, seu Diversum confusa genus panthera camelo; Sive elephas albus vulgi converteret ora: Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis, Ut sibi præbentem inimo spectacula plura. Scriptores autem narrare putaret asello 90 Fabellam surdo: nam quæ previncere voces Evaluere sonum, referent quem nostra theatra? Garganum mugire putes nemus, aut mare Tus

cum:

Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantur, et artès, Divitiæque peregrine; 91 quibus oblitus actor Quum stetit in scena, concurrit dextera lævæ. 92 Dixit adhuc aliquid? Nil sane: quid placet erLana Tarentino violas imitata veneno. [go? 93 Ac ne forte putes me, quæ facere ipse recusem, Quum recte tractent alii, laudare maligne; 94 Ille per extentum funem mihi posse videtur

Ire poeta, meum qui pectus inaniter angit. 95 Irritat, mulcet, 96 falsis terroribus implet, 97 Ut magus, et 98 modo me Thebis, modo ponit Athenis.

99

Verum age, et his, qui se lectori credere ma-
Junt,

Quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi, Curam redde brevem; 100 si munus Apolline dignum [car, Vis complere libris, 101 et vatibus addere calUt studio majore petant Helicona virentem. 102 Multa quidem nobis facimus mala sæpe poetæ, 103 (Ut vineta egomet cædam mea) quum tibi li[unum 104 Sollicito damus, aut fesso; quum lædimur, 105 Siquis amicorum est ausus reprendere versum: 106 Quum loca, jam recitata revolvinus inrevocati, 107 Quum lamentamur, non apparere labores

brum

Nostros, et tenui deducta poemata filo: 108 Quum speramus eo rem venturam, ut simul atque

109

Carmina rescieris nos fingere, commodus ultro
Arcessas, et egere vetes, et scribere cogas.
Sed tamen est operæ pretium cognoscere,
quales

Edituos habeat belli, spectata domique Virtus, indigno non committenda poetæ. 110 Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille

Chœrilus, incultis qui versibus et male natis Rettulit acceptos, regale numisma, Philippos. Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine fœdo Splendida facta linunt, idem rex ille, poema Qui tam ridiculum tam care prodigus emit, Edicto vetuit, nequis se præter Apellem Pingeret, aut alius Lysippo duceret æra 111 Fortis Alexandri vultum simulantia, quod si Judicium subtile videndis artibus illud Ad libros, et ad hæc Musarum dona vocares, 112 Ba&tum in crasso jurares aere natum. 113

At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia, atque Munera, quæ multa dantis cum laude tulerunt, Delecti tibi Virgilius, Variusque poetæ :

The pageant show and bustle to behold,

87 The guards both horse and foot lac'd o'er with gold,

The rich insignia from the Tower brought down, 88 The iv'ry sceptre and the radiant crown. The mob huzza, the thund'ring cannons roar, And business is delay'd at least an hour; The speaker calls indeed to mind what passes, 89 But might as well read orders to deaf asses. 90 But now see honest V———— rise to joke! The house all laugh; 91 “What says he? has he spoke ?" [mirth? No, not a word. Then whence this sudden His phiz foretels some jest's approaching birth. But lest I seem these orators to wrong, Envious because I share no gift of tongue, 93 Is there a man whose eloquence has pow'r To clear the fullest house in half an hour, Who now appears to rave and now to weep, 94 Who sometimes makes us swear, and sometimes sleep,

92

95 Now fills our heads with false alarms from France,

96 Then, conjurer like, 97 to India bids us dance? All eulogies on him we own are true, For surely he does all that man can do.

98

But whilst, my lord, these makers of our laws Thus speak themselves into the world's ap

plause,

99 Let bards, for such attempts too modest, share What more they prize, your patronage and care,

100 If you would spur them up the Muse's hill, Or ask their aid your library to fill.

101 We poets are, in ev'ry age and nation, A most absurd, wrong-headed generation; This in a thousand instances is shown, (Myself as guilty as the rest I own) As when on you our nonsense we impose, 103 Tir'd with the nonsense you have heard in prose; 104 When we 're offended, if some honest friend

102

Presumes one unharmonious verse to mend; 105 When undesir'd our labours we repeat, 106 Grieve they 're no more regarded by the great, 107 And fancy, should you once but see our faces, You'd bid us write, and pay us all with places. 108 'T is your's, my lord, to form my soul to

verse,

Who have such num'rous virtues to rehearse; 109 Great Alexander once, in ancient days,

Paid Choerilus for daubing him with praise; And yet the same fam'd hero made a law, None but Apelles should his picture draw; 110 None but Lysippus cast his royal head In brass: it had been treason if in lead: A prince he was in valour ne'er surpass'd, And had in painting too perhaps some taste; But as to verse, undoubted is the matter, 111 He must be dull as a Dutch commentator. 112 But you, my lord, a fav'rite of the Muse, Would choose good poets, were there good to choose; [like, 113 You know they paint the great man's soul as As can his features Kneller or Vandyke.

114 Nec magis expressi vultus per aënea signa Quam per vatis opus mores animique virorum Clarorum apparent. 115 Nec sermones ego mallem

[gestas; Repentes per humum, quam res componere Terrarumque situs, et flumina dicere, et arces Montibus impositas, et barbara regna, tuisque 116 Auspiciis totum confecta duella per orbem,

Claustraque custodem pacis cohibentia Janum, 117 Et formidatam Parthis te principe Romam; 118 Si quantum cuperem, possem quoque: 119 sed neque parvum

Carmen majestas recipit tua, nec meus audet Rem tentare pudor quam vires ferre recusent. 120 Sedulitas autem, stulte quem diligit, urguet Præcipuè cum se numeris commendat et arte: Discit enim citius meminitque libentius, illud Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat et vene[ficto

ratur.

Nil moror officium quod me gravat: ac neque In pejus vultu proponi cereus usquam, Nec prave factis decorari versibus opto: Ne rubeam pingui donatus munere, et una Cum scriptore meo, capsa porrectus aperta, 121 Deferar in vicum vendentem thus et odores, Et piper, et quicquid chartis amicitur ineptis.

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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE EARL OF CHESTERFIELD,

ON HIS BEING INSTALLED KNIGHT OF THE GARTER.

THESE trophies, Stanhope, of a lovely dame,
Once the bright object of a monarch's flame,
Who with such just propriety can wear,
As thou the darling of the gay and fair?
See ev'ry friend to wit, politeness, love,
With one consent thy sovereign's choice approve!
And liv'd Plantagenet her voice to join,
Herself and garter both were surely thine.

ΤΟ

A LADY IN TOWN,

SOON AFTER HER LEAVING THE COUNTRY.

WHILST you, dear maid, o'er thousands born to
For the gay town exchange the rural plain, [reign,
The cooling breeze, and ev'ning walk forsake
For stifling crowds, which your own beauties make;
Through circling joys while you incessant stray,
Charm in the Mall, and sparkle at the play;
Think (if successive vanities can spare
One thought to love) what cruel pangs I bear,
Left in these plains all wretched, and alone,
To weep with fountains and with echoes groan,
And mourn incessantly that fatal day,
That all my bliss with Chloe snatch'd away.
Say by what arts I can relieve my pain,
Music, verse, all I try, but try in vain ;
In vain the breathing flute my hand employs,
Late the companion of my Chloe's voice,
Nor Handel's nor Corelli's tuneful airs
Can harmonize my soul, or sooth my cares;
Those once-lov'd med'cines unsuccessful prove,
Music, alas, is but the voice of love!

In vain I oft harmonious lines peruse,

And seek for aid from Pope's and Prior's Muse;
Their treach'rous numbers but assist the foe,
And call forth scenes of sympathising woe:
Here Heloise mourns her absent lover's charms,
There parting Emma sighs in Henry's arms;
Their loves, like mine, ill-fated I bemoan,
And in their tender sorrows read my own.

Restless sometimes, as oft the mournful dove
Forsakes her nest, forsaken by her love,
I fly from home, and seek the sacred fields
Where Cam's old urn its silver current yields,
Where solemn tow'rs o'erlook each mossy grove,
As if to guard it from th' assaults of love;
Yet guard in vain, for there my Chloe's eyes
But lately made whole colleges her prize;
Her sons, though few, not Pallas could defend,
Nor Dullness succour to her thousands lend;
Love, like a fever, with infectious rage
Scorch'd up the young, and thaw'd the frost of age.
To gaze at her, ev'n Donns were seen to run,
And leave unfinish'd pipes, and authors-scarce
begun.

So Helen look'd, and mov'd with such a grace', When the grave seniors of the Trojan race Were forc'd those fatal beauties to admire, That all their youth consum`d, and set their town on fire.

At fam'd Newmarket oft I spend the day An unconcerned spectator of the play; There pityless observe the ruin'd heir With anger fir'd, or melting with despair; For how should I his trivial loss bemoan, Who feel one, so much greater, of my own? There while the golden heaps, a glorious prize, Wait the decision of two rival dice, Whilst long disputes 'twixt seven and five remain, And each, like parties, have their friends for gain,

Vid. Hom. ii. lib. iii. ver. 150.

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