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THE occafion of publishing these Imitations

was the clamour rais'd on fome of my Epiftles. An answer from Horace was both more full, and of more dignity, than any I could have made in my own person; and the example of much greater freedom in fo eminent a divine as Dr. Donne, feem'd a proof with what indignation and contempt a Chriftian may treat vice or folly, in ever fo low, or ever fo high a station. Both these authors were acceptable to the Princes and Ministers under whom they lived. The fatires of Dr. Donne I versified, at the defire of the Earl of Oxford while he was Lord Treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury who had been Secretary of State; neither of whom look'd upon a Satire on vicious courts as any reflection on those they ferv'd in. And indeed there is not in the world a greater error, than that which fools are so apt to fall into, and knaves with good reason to encourage, the mistaking a Satirift for a Libeller; whereas to a true Satírift nothing is fo odious as a Libeller, for the fame reafon as to a man truly virtuous nothing is so hateful as a hypocríte.

Uni aequus virtutí atque ejus amicis, P.

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WHOEVER expects a Paraphrafe of Horace, or a faithful Copy of his genius, or manner of writing, in thefe Imitations, will be much difappointed. Our Author uses the Roman Poet for little more than his canvas: And if the old defign or colouring chance to fuit his purpose., it is well: if not, he employs his own, without fcruple or ceremo

ny. Hence it is, he is fo frequently ferious where Horace is in jeft; and at cafe where Horace is disturbed. In a word, he regulates his movements no further on his original, than was neceffary for his concurrence, in promoting their common plan of Reformation of manners.

Had it been his purpofe merely to paraphrase an ancient Satyrift, he had hardly inade choice of Horace; with whom, as at Poet, he held little in common, befides a comprehenfive knowledge of life and manners and a certain curious felicity of expreffion which confifts in ufing the fimpleft language with dignity, and the most ornamented with eale. For the reft, his harmony and ftrength of numbers, his force and fplendor of colouring, his gravity and fublimity of fentiment, would have rather led him to another model. Nor was his temper less unlike that of Horace, than his talents. What Horace would only fmile at, Mr. Pope would treat with the grave severity of Perfius: and what Mr. Pope would ftrike with the cauftic lightning of Juvenal, Horace would content himself in turning into ridicule.

If it be asked then, why he took any body at all to imitate, he has informed us in his Advertisement. To which we may add,

that this fort of Imitations; which are of the nature of Parodies, adds reflected grace and fplendor on original wit. Befides, he deemed it more modeft to give the name of Imitations to his Satires, than, like Defpreaux, to give the name of Satires to Imitations.

P.

SATIRE I.

ΤΟ

Mr. FORTE S cu E.

THERES

HERE are (I fcarce can think it, but am told)
There are, to whom my Satire seems too bold:
Scarce to wife Peter complaifant enough,
And fomething faid of Chartres much too rough.
The lines are weak, another's pleas'd to say,
Lord Fanny spins a thousand such a day.
Tim'rous by nature, of the rich in awe,
I come to council learned in the law:

You'll give me, like a friend both fage and free,
Advice; and (as you use ) without a fee.

F. I'd write no more.

P. Not write? but then I think,

And for my foul I cannot fleep a wink.
I nod in company, I wake at night,
Fools rush into my head, and so I write.

F. You could not do a worse thing for your life.

Why, if the nights feem tedious.

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take a wife :

Or rather truly, if your point be rest,
Lettuce and cowflip-wine; Probatum eft.
But talk with Celfus, Celfus will advise

Hartshorn, or fomething that shall close your eyes.

VOL. II.

B

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