Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat aftrum: NATURAE DEUS HUMANAE, mortalis in unum Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus, et ater. Utar, et ex modico, quantum res pofcet, acervo Tollam: nec metuam, quid de me judicet haeres, Quod non plura datis invenerit. et tamen idem Scire volam, quantum fimplex hilarisque nepoti Difcrepet, et quantum discordet, parcus avaro. Diftat enim, fpargas tua prodigus, an neque fumtum Invitus facias, nec plura parare labores; Ac potius, puer ut feftis Quinquatribus olim, Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim. Pauperies immunda procul procul abfit: ego, utrum Nave ferar magna an parva; ferar unus et idem. NOTES. VER. 277. fly, like Oglethorpe,] Employed in fettling the Colony of Georgia. VER. 280. That God of Nature, etc.] Here our Poet had an opportunity of illuftrating his own Philofophy; and thereby giving a much better fenfe to his Original; and correcting both the naturalism and the fate of Horace, which are covertly conveyed in these words, One, driv'n by ftrong Benevolence of foul, Yes, Sir, how small foever be my heap, My heir may figh, and think it want of grase -280 285 I, who at fome times spend, at others spare, 290 Divided between carelefness and care. 'Tis one thing madly to disperse my store; Another, not to heed to treasure more; Glad, like a Boy, to fnatch the first good day, f What is't to me (a paffenger God wot) NOTES. Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, 295 VER. 288. But fure no ftatute] Alluding to the fta. tutes made in England and Ireland, to regulate the Succeffion of Papifts, etc. Non agimur tumidis velis Aquilone fecundo: Non es avarus: abi. quid? caetera jam fimul ifto Cum vitio fugere? caret tibi pectus inani Ambitione? caret mortis formidine et ira? Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, fagas, Natales grate numeras? ignofcis amicis? Lenior et melior fis accedente fenecta? Quid te exemta levat fpinis de pluribus una? Vivere fi recte nefcis, decede peritis. Lufifti fatis, edifti fatis, atque bibisti : Tempus abire tibi eft: ne potum largius aequo NOTES. VER. 312. Survey both worlds,] It is obfervable with what fobriety he has corrected the licentioufnefs of his Original, which made the expectation of another world a part of that fuperftition, he would explode; whereas his I neither ftrut with ev'ry fav'ring breath, 300 305 "But why all this of Av'rice? I have none." I wish you joy, Sir, of a Tyrant gone; But does no other lord it at this hour, As wild and mad? the Avarice of pow'r? Does neither Rage inflame, nor Fear appall? Not the black fear of death, that faddens all? With terrors round, can Reason hold her throne, 310 In fpight of witches, devils, dreams, and fire? b Learn to live well, or fairly make your will; You've play'd, and lov'd, and eat, and drank your fill : Walk fober off; before a sprightlier age Comes titt❜ring on, and shoves you from the ftage: Leave fuch to trifle with more grace and ease, Whom Folly pleases, and whose Follies please. NOTES. 326 Imitator is only for removing the falfe terrors from the world of fpirits, fuch as the diablerie of witchcraft and purgatory. |