Pleas'd let me own, in Eher's peaceful Grove Ev'n in a Bishop I can spy Defert; But does the Court a worthy Man remove? That inftant, 1 declare, he has my Love: I fhun his Zenith, court his mild Decline; Thus SOMMERS once, and HALIFAX, were mine. 70 75 whose personal attachments to the king appeared from his steady adherence to the royal intereft, after his refignation of his great employment of Master of the Horse; and whose known honour and virtue made him efteemed by all parties. VER, 66. Eber's peaceful Grove,] The house and gardens of Efher in Surry, belonging to the Honourable Mr. Pelham, Brother of the Duke of Newcattle. The author could not have given a more amiable idea of his Character than in comparing him to Mr. Craggs. VER. 74. But does the Court a worthy Man remove?] The poet means, remove him for his worth not that he esteemed the being in or out a proof either of corruption, or virtue. I "had a glympfe of a letter of yours lately (fays he to Dr. Swift) "by which I find you are, like the vulgar, apter to think well of "people out of power, than of people in power. Perhaps 'tis a mistake; but, however, there is something in it generous.” Lett. xvii. Sept. 3, 1725. VER. 77. Sommers] John Lord Sommers died in 1716. He had been Lord Keeper in the reign of William III. who took from him the feals in 1700. The author had the honour of knowing him in 1705. A faithful, able, and incorrupt minifter; Oft, in the clear, ftill Mirrour of Retreat, 80 I ftudy'd SHREWSBURY, the wife and great: How fhin'd the Soul, unconquer'd in the Tow'r! 85 who, to the qualities of a confummate ftatesman, added thofe of a man of Learning and Politeness. VER. 77. Halifax] A peer, no less distinguished by his love of letters than his abilities in Parliament. He was difgraced in 1710, on the change of Queen Anne's ministry. VER. 79. Shrewsbury,] Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury, had been Secretary of State, Embassador in France, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Chamberlain, and Lord Treasurer. He feveral times quitted his employments, and was often recalled, He died in 1718. VER. 80. Carleton.] Hen. Boyle, Lord Carleton (nephew of the famous Robert Boyle) who was Secretary of state under William III. and President of the council under Q. Anne. Ibid. Stanhope] James Earl Stanhope. A Nobleman of equal courage, fpirit, and learning. General in Spain, and Secretary of state. VER. 88. Wyndham ] Sir William Wyndham, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Queen Anne, made early a confiderable figure; but fince a much greater both by his ability and eloquence, joined with the utmost judgment and temper. Names, which I long have lov'd, nor lov'd in vain, Rank'd with their Friends, not number'd with their And if yet higher the proud Lift fhould end, 95 Din'd with the Man of Ross, or my LORD MAYʼR. Some, in their choice of Friends (nay, look not grave) Have ftill a fecret Byafs to a Knave: To find an honeft man I beat about, And love him, court him, praise him, in or out. Find P. Not fo fierce ; you the Virtue, and I'll find the Verfe. But random Praise---the task can ne'er be done; Each Mother asks it for her booby Son, For him the weeps, and him the weds agen. 101 105 Praise cannot ftoop, like Satire, to the ground; 110 To 'scape my Cenfure, not expect my Praife, Dial. II. What RICHELIEU wanted, Louis fcarce could gain, And what young AMMON wish'd, but wish'd in vain. No Pow'r the Mufe's Friendship can command; No Pow'r, when Virtue claims it, can withstand: To Cato, Virgil pay'd one honeft line; 120 O let my Country's Friends illumin mine! ---What are you thinking? F. Faith the thought's no fin, I think your Friends are out, and would be in. COBHAM'S a Coward, POLWARTH is a Slave, 125 130 135 But, pray, when others praise him, do I blame? Call Verres, Wolfey, any odious name? VER. 129. Spirit of Arnall!] Look for him in his place. Dunc. B. ii. ver. 315. VER. 130. Polwarth.] The Hon. Hugh Hume, Son of Alexander Earl of Marchmont, Grandfon of Patric Earl of March. mont, and diftinguished like them, in the cause of Liberty. Why rail they then, if but a Wreath of mine, 146 Of Honour bind me, not to maul his Tools; His Saws are toothless, and his Hatchet's Lead. To fee a Footman kick'd that took his pay: 150 And begg'd, he'd take the pains to kick the reft: 155 Which not at present having time to do F. Hold Sir! for God's-fake where's th' Affront to you? Against your worship when had S-k writ? 160 VER. 160. the Bard] A verfe taken out of a poem to Sir R. W. |