Content if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, The learn'd reflect on what before they knew: 740 Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame; Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame; Averse alike to flatter or offend;
Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 744
BY THE DEATH OF MR. POPE.
OF the end and efficacy of Satire. The love of glory, and fear of shame universal, v. 29. This pas- sion, implanted in man as a spur to virtue, is gene- rally perverted, v. 41; and thus becomes the occa- sion of the greatest follies, vices, and miseries, v. 61. It is the work of Satire to rectify this passion, to reduce it to its proper channel, and to convert it into an incentive to wisdom and virtue, v. 89. Hence it appears that Satire may influence those who defy all laws, human and divine, v. 99. An objection answer- ed, v. 131.
Rules for the conduct of Satire. Justice and truth its chief and essential property, v. 169. Prudence in the application of wit and ridicule, whose province is not to explore unknown but to enforce known truths, v. 191. Proper subjects of Satire are the manners of the present times, v. 239. Decency of Expression re- commended, v. 255. The different methods in which folly and vice ought to be chastised, v. 269. The va- riety of style and manner which these two subjects require, v. 277. The praise of virtue may be admit- ted with propriety, v. 315. Caution with regard to panegyric, v. 329. The dignity of true Satire, v. 341.
The history of Satire. Roman Satirists, Lucillus, Horace, Persius, Juvenal, v. 357, &c. Causes of de- cay of literature, particularly of Satire, v. 389. Revi- val of Satire, v. 401. Erasmus one of its principal restorers, v. 405. Donne, v. 411. The abuse of Satire in England during the licentious reign of Charles II. v. 415. Dryden, v. 429. The true ends of Satire pursued by Boileau in France, v. 439, and by Mr. Pope in England, v. 445.
FATE gave the word; the cruel arrow sped, And Pope lies number'd with the mighty dead! Resign'd he fell; superior to the art
That quench'd its rage in your's and Britain's heart. You mourn; but Britain, lull'd in rest profound, 5 (Unconscious Britain!) slumbers o'er her wound. Exulting Dulness ey'd the setting light, And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the night: Rous'd at the signal, Guilt collects her train, And counts the triumphs of her growing reign: 10 With inextinguishable rage they burn, And snake-hung Envy hisses o'er his urn:
Th' envenom'd monsters spit their deadly foam To blast the laurel that surrounds his tomb.
But you, O Warburton! whose eyes refin'd, 15 Can see the greatness of an honest mind;
Can see each virtue and each grace unite, And taste the raptures of a pure delight;
You visit oft his awful page with care,
And view that bright assemblage treasur'd there; 20 You trace the chain that links his deep design, And pour new lustre on the glowing line.
Yet deign to hear the efforts of a Muse Whose eye, not wing, his ardent flight pursues: Intent from this great archetype to draw Satire's bright form, and fix her equal law; Pleas'd if from hence th' unlearn'd may comprehend, And rev'rence his and Satire's gen'rous end.
In ev'ry breast there burns an active flame, The love of glory, or the dread of shame : The passion one, tho' various it appear, As brighten'd into hope or dimm'd by fear. The lisping infant and the hoary sire, And youth and manhood, feel the heart-born fire : The charms of praise the coy, the modest, woo, 35
And only fly that glory may pursue: She, pow'r resistless, rules the wise and great, Bends ev'n reluctant hermits at her feet; Haunts the proud city and the lowly shade, And sways alike the sceptre and the spade. Thus heav'n in pity wakes the friendly flame, To urge mankind on deeds that merit fame: But man, vain man! in folly only wise, Rejects the manna sent him from the skies: With rapture hears corrupted Passion's call, Still proudly prone to mingle with the stall. As each deceitful shadow tempts his view, He for the imag'd substance quits the true;
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