Coena defurgat dubia ? quin corpus onuftum & Alter, ubi dicto citius curata sopori * Rancidum aprum antiqui laudabant : non quia nalus Illis nullus erat ; sed, credo, hac mente, quod hofpes Tardius adveniens vitiatum commodius, quam Notes. VER. 8o. The Soul fubfides, and wickedly inclines To Jeem but mortol, ev’n in jound Divines.] Horace was an Epicurean, and lauyhed at the immortality of the foul. He therefore describes that langlior of the mind proceeding from intemperance, oa the idea, and in the terms of Plato, afizit humo divinae particulam aurae. To this lis ridicule is pointed. Our Poet, with more fo briety and judgment, has turned the ridicule, from the octrine, which he believ d, upon those Preachers of whose feaits and compotations in Taverns did not edify 85 i What life in all that ample body, say? 80 To seem but mortal, ev’n in sound Divines. On morning wings how active springs the Mind For fainting Age what cordial drop remains, 95 de Our fathers.prais'd rank Ven'son. You suppose Notes. Ver. 82. One morning wings etc.] Much happier and nobler than the Original. VER. 87. Ortir'd in search of Truth, or search of Rhyme.] A fine ridicule on the extravagance of human pursuits; where the most trifling and most important concerns of life succeed one another, indifferently. Integrum edax dominus consameret. hos utinam inter Heroas natum tellus me prima tuliffet. Das aliquid famae, quae carmine gratior aurem Occupet humanam ? grandes rhombi, patinaeque Grande ferunt una n damno dedecus. adde • Iratum patruum, vicinos, te tibi iniquum, Et frustra mortis cupidum, cum deerit egenti ?? As, laquei pretium. 9 Jure, inquit, Trausius istis Jurgatur verbis : ego vectigalia magna, Divitiasque habeo tribus amplas regibus. * Ergo, Quod fuperat, non est melius quo insumere poffis ? Cur eget indignus quisquam, te divite? quare s Templa ruunt antiqua Deûm ? cur, improbe, carae Non aliquid patriae tanto emetiris acervo ? Uni nimirum tibi recte femper erunt res? Notes. Ver. 128. As M**o's was, etc.} I think this light Aroke of satire ill placed ; and hurts the dignity of the 1 ΙΙΟ Why had not I in those good times my birth, ’Ere coxcómb-pyes or coxcombs were on earth ? Unworthy he, the voice of Fame to hear, 105 m That sweetest music to an honest ear; (For 'faith, Lord Fanny! you are in the wrong, The world's good word is better than a song) Who has not learn'd, a fresh sturgeon and ham-pye Are no rewards for want, and infamy ! When Luxury has lick'd up all thy pelf, Curs'd be thy neighbours, thy trustees, thyself, To friends, to fortune, to mankind a shame, Think how pofterity will treat thy name; And buy a rope, that future times may tell 115 Thou haft at least beftow'd one penny well. 9 “ Right, cries his Lordship, for a rogue in need 66 To have a Taste is insolence indeed : « In me 'tis noble, suits my birth and state, " My wealth unwieldy, and my heap too great." Then, like the Sun, let' Bounty spread her ray, 121 And shine that superfluity away. Oh Impudence of wealth! with all thy store, How dar'ft thou let one worthy man be poor? Shall half the s new-built churches round thee fall? Make Keys, build Bridges, or repair White-hall : Or to thy Country let that heap be lent, As M**o's was, but not at five per cent. Notes. preceding morality. Horace was very serious, and properly so, when he said, O magnus pofthac inimicis risus ! uterne • Ad casus dubios fidet fibi certius? hic, qui Pluribus affuerit mentein corpusque superbum; An qui contentus parvo metuensque futuri, In pace, ut fapiens, aptarit idonea belo? v Quo magis his credas: puer hunc ego parvus Ofellum Integris opibus novi nori latius usum, Quam nunc accifis. Videas, metato in agello, Cum pecore et gnatis, fortem mercede colonum, Non ego, narrantem, temere edi luce profefta Quidquam, praeter * olus fumosae cum pede pernae. Ac mihi seu Y longum poft tempus venerat hospes, Sive operum vacuo gratus conviva per imbrem Vicinus; bene erat, non piscibus urbe petitis, Sed pullo atque hoedo : tum ? pensilis uva fecundas Notes. cur, improbe ! carae Non aliquid patriae tanto emetiris acerve. He remembered, and hints with just indignation, at those luxurious Patricians of his old party; who, when they had agreed to eitablish a fund in the cause of Freedom, under the conduct of Brutus, could never be persuaded to withdraw from their expensive pleasures what was sufficient for the support of so great a cause. He had prepared his |