That counter-works each folly and caprice ;
That disappoints th' effect of ev'ry vice; 240
That, happy frailties to all ranks apply'd;
Shame to the virgin, to the matron pride,
Fear to the statesman, rashness to the chief,
To kings presumption, and to crowds belief:
That, Virtue's ends from Vanity can raise, 245
Which seeks no int’rest, no reward but praise;
And build on wants, and on defects of mind,
The joy, the peace, the glory of Mankind.

Heav'n forming each on other to depend,
A master, or a servant, or a friend,

250 Bids each on other for assistance call, 'Till one Man's weakness grows the strength of all.

. Wants, frailties, passions, closer still ally The common int'rest, or endear the tie.

NOTES. Ver. 253. Wants, frail- ly disposes Men to think

, ties, passions, closer fill ally more seriously of the true The common int'rest, &c.] value of things, and conAs these lines have been mif- fequently of their provision understood, I shall give the for a future state, the confireader their plain and ob deration, that the grounds of vious meaning. To these those joys, loves, and friendfrailties (says he) we owe all ships, are wants, frailties, the endearments of private and passions, proves the best life; yet, when we come expedient to wean us from to that age, which general.! the world ; a' disengage

To these we owe true friendship, love sincere, 255
Each home-felt joy that life inherits here;
Yet from the same we learn, in its decline,
Those joys, those loves, those intrests to resign;
Taught half by Reason, half by mere decay,
To welcome death, and calmly pass away. 260
Whate'er the Pafion, knowledge, fame, or pelf,
Not one will change his neighbour with himself.
The learn'd is happy nature to explore,
The fool is happy that he knows no more ;
The rich is happy in the penty giv’n,

265 'The poor contents him with the care of Heav'n. See the blind beggar dance, the cripple sing, The sot a hero, lunatic a king; The starving chemist in his golden views Supremely blest, the poet in his muse.

270 See some strange comfort ev'ry state attend, And Pride bestow'd on all, a common friend;

NOTES. ment fo friendly to that pro-nite grace and propriety, as vision we are now making it so well confirms, by an for another. The observa- instance of great moment, tion is new, and would in the general thesis, That God any place be extremely beau- makes Ill, at every step, protiful, but has here an infi. | ductive of Good.

275

See some fit Paffion, ev'ry age supply,
Hope travels thro', nor quits us when we die.

Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law,
Pleas'd with a rattle, tickled with a straw:
Some livelier play-thing gives his youth delight,
A little louder, but as empty quite :
Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage ;
And beads and pray’r-books are the toys of age :
Pleas'd with this bauble still, as that before; 281
'Till tir'd he sleeps, and Life's poor play is o'er.

Mean-while Opinion gilds with varying rays Those painted clouds that beautify our days ; Each want of happiness by Hope supply'd, 285 And each vacuity of sense by Pride :

Notes.

Ver. 280. And beads cuity of sense by Pride :) and pray'r-books are the toys An eminent Casuist, Faof age :) A Satire on what ther Francis Garaje, in his is called in Popery the Opus Somme Theolaçique, has operatum. As this is a de- drawn a

very charitable fcription of the circle of conclusion from this prinhuman life returning into cipie. Selon la Justice itself by a second childhood, dit •cet equitable Théothe poet

has with great ele- logien) tout' travail hongance concluded his descri- réie doit être recompensé de > ption with the fame figure louange ou de satisfaction. with which he set out. Quand les bons esprits font

Ver. 286. And each va- un ouvrage excellent, ils font

These build as fast as knowledge can destroy ;
In Folly's cup still laughs the bubble, joy ;
One prospect loft, another still we gain;
And not a vanity is giv'n in vain ;

290 Ev'n mean Self-love becomes, by force divine, The scale to measure others wants by thine. See! and confess, one comfort still must rise, 'Tis this, Tho' Man's a fool, yet GOD IS WISE.

a

NOTES.

justement recompensez par les Dieu lui donne une satisfacfuffrages du Public. Quand tion personelle, que personne un pauvre esprit travaille ne lui peut envier sans une beaucoup, pour faire un injustice plus que barbare ; mauvais ouvrage, il n'est tout ainsi que Dieu qui est pas jufte ni raisonable, qu'il jufte donne de la satisfaction attende des loüanges pub- aux Grenouilles de leur liques : car elles ne

lui chant. Autrement le blame sont pas duës. Mais afin public, joint à leur méconque les travaux ne demeu- tentement, seroit suffisant rent pas sans recompense, I pour les réduire au desespoir.

:

ARGUMENT OF

E P I S T L E

III.

Of the Nature and State of Man with respect to

Society.

I. THE whole Universe one System of Society, * 7,

&c. Nothing made wholly for itself, nor yet wholly for another, x 27. The happiness of Animals mutual, x 49. IÍ. Reason or Instinct operate alike to the good of each Individual, x 79. Reason or Instinct operate also to Society, in all animals, Ý 109. III. How far Society carried by Instinct, ý 115. How much farther by Reason, x 128. IV. Of that which is called the State of Nature, 144. Reason instructed by Instinct in the invention of Arts, ý 166, and in the Forms of Society, * 176. V. Origin of Political Societies, x 196. Origin of Monarchy, 207.

Patriarchal government, x 212. VI. Origin of true Religion and Government, from the same principle of Love, ♡ 231, &c. Origin of Superftition and Tyranny, from the same principle, of Fear, ý 237, &c. The Influence of Self-love operating to the social and public Good, Ý 266. Restoration of true Religion and Government on their first principle, ý 285. Mixt Government, x 288. Various Forms of each, and the true end of all, ý 300, &c.

1