The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq: Moral essays

Causes of
the Decay of Literature, particularly of Satire, Ver. 389.
Revival of Satire, Ver. 401.
Cipal Reftorers, Ver. 405.
Abuse of Satire in England,
of Charles II. Ver. 415. Dryden, 429. The true
Ends of Satire pursued by Boileau in France, Ver. 439;
and by Mr. Pope in England, Ver. 445.

FATE gave the word; the cruel arrow sped ;

And POPE lies number'd with the mighty

Dead!

Refign'd he fell; fuperior to the dart,

That quench'd its rage in YOURS and BRITAIN'S

Heart:

You mourn: but BRITAIN, lull'd in reft pro-

found,

(Unconscious BRITAIN!) flumbers o'er her

wound.

Exulting Dulnefs ey'd the fetting Light,

And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the Night :
Rous'd at the fignal, Guilt collects her train,
And counts the Triumphs of her growing Reign:
With inextinguishable rage they burn;
And Snake-hung ENVY hiffes o'er his Urn:
Th' envenom'd Monsters fpit their deadly foam,
To blaft the Laurel that furrounds his Tomb.

But You, O WARBURTON! whofe eye

Can fee the greatnefs of an honeft mind;

Can fee each Virtue and each Grace unite,

And taste the Raptures of a pure Delight;

B 3

I I

refin'd

YOU

You vifit oft his awful Page with Care,

And view that bright Affemblage treasur❜d there;
You trace the Chain that links his deep defign, 21

And pour new

new Lufire on the glowing Line,

Yet deign to hear the efforts of a Muse,

Whofe cye, not wing, his ardent flight purfues:
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 compre-

hend,

And rev'rence His and SATIRE's gen'rous End,

In ev'ry breaft there burns an active flame,

The love of Glory, or the dread of Shame:

The Paffion ONE, tho' various it appear,

As brighten'd into Hope, or dimm'd by Fear.

The lifping Infant, and the hoary Sire,

And Youth and Manhood feel the heart-born

fire:

The Charms of Praife the Coy, the Modeft woo,

And only fly, that Glory may pursue:

She, Pow'r refiftlefs, rules the wife and great;

Bends ev'n reluctant Hermits at her feet;

Haunts the proud City, and the lowly Shade,

And fways alike the Sceptre and the Spade. 40

Thus

Thus Heav'n in Pity wakes the friendly Flame,
Το
urge Mankind on Deeds that merit Fame:
But Man, vain Man, in folly only wife,

Rejects the Manna sent him from the Skies :
With rapture hears corrupted Paffion's call, 45
Still proudly prone to mingle with the ftall.
As each deceitful shadow tempts his view,
He for the imag'd Subftance quits the true;
Eager to catch the visionary Prize,
In queft of Glory, plunges deep in Vice;
Till madly zealous, impotently vain,
He forfeits ev'ry Praise he pants to gain.

Thus ftill imperious NATURE plies her part; And still her Dictates work in ev'ry heart. Each Pow'r that fov'reign Nature bids enjoy, 55 Man may corrupt, but Man can ne'er destroy : Like mighty rivers, with refiftless force The Paffions rage, obftructed in their course; Swell to new heights, forbidden paths explore, And drown thofe Virtues which they fed before.60

And fure, the deadlieft Foe to Virtue's flame, Our worst of Evils, is perverted Shame.

« Zurück Weiter »

Books