Or, if a court or country's made a job, The poor and friendless villain, than the great? To tax directors, who (thank God) have plums; May pinch ev❜n there F. Stop! stop! why lay it on a king. 40 45 50 P. Must Satire, then, not rise nor fall? Speak out, and bid me blame no rogues at all. F. Yes, strike that Wild, I'll justify the blow. P. Strike? why the man was hang'd ten years ago: Who now that obsolete example fears? Ev'n Peter trembles only for his ears. 56 F. What always Peter? Peter thinks you mad, You make men desp'rate if they once are bad : Else might he take to virtue some years henceP. As S-k, if he lives, will love the PRINCE. 61 F. Strange spleen to S-k! P. Do I wrong the man? God knows, I praise a courtier where I can. When VER. 39. wretched Wild;] Jonathan Wild, a famous thief, and thief-impeacher, who was at last caught in his own trap, and hanged. When I confess, there is who feels for fame, And melts to goodness, need I SCARB'ROW name? I sit and dream I see my CRAGGS anew ! But does the court a worthy man remove? I study'd SHREWSBURY, the wise and great : 66 70 75 79 CARLETON'S VER. 65. SCARB'ROW] Earl of, and Knight of the Garter, whose personal attachments to the King appeared from his steady adherence to the royal interest, after his resignation of his great employment of Master of the Horse, and whose known honour and virtue made him esteemed by all parties. VER. 66. Esher's peaceful grove,] The house and gardens of Esher in Surry, belonging to the Honourable Mr. Pelham, brother of the Duke of Newcastle. 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 seals in 1700. The author had the honour of knowing him in 1706. A faithful, able, and incorrupt minister; who, to qualities of a consummate statesman, added those of a man of learning and politeness. VER. 77. HALLIFAX,] A peer, no less distinguished by his love of letters than his abilities in Parliament. He was disgraced in 1710, on the change of Q. Anne's ministry. CARLETON'S calm sense, and STANHOPE'S noble flame, 85 Or WYNDHAM, just to freedom and the throne, train; And if yet higher the proud list should end, 95 I never 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 several 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. VER. 80. STANHOPE] James Earl Stanhope. A nobleman of equal courage, spirit, and learning. General in Spain, and Secre→ tary of State. I never (to my sorrow I declare) Din'd with the MAN of Ross, or my LORD MAY'R. Some, in their choice of friends (nay, look not grave) Have still a secret bias to a knave: To find an honest man I beat about, And love him, court him, praise him, in or out. Find ΙΟΙ P. Not so fierce; you the virtue, and I'll find the verse. 105 But random praise—the task can neʼer be done i Each mother asks it for her booby son, Each widow asks it for the best of men, For him she weeps, for him she weds agen. Praise cannot stoop, like Satire, to the ground; 110 The number may be hang'd, but not be crown'd. Enough for half the greatest of these days, 115 To 'scape my censure, not expect my praise. O let my country's friends illumine mine! 120 -What are you thinking? F. Faith the thought's no I think your friends are out, and would be in. [sin. P. If VER. 99. my LORD MAY'R.] Sir John Barnard, Lord Mayor year of the poem, 1738. in the P. If merely to come in, Sir, they go out, F. They too may be corrupted, you'll allow ? But pray, when others praise him, do I blame? 125 130 135 Call Verres, Wolsey, any odious name? 141 Then VER. 129. Spirit of Arnall!] Arnall was one of the writers for Sir Robert Walpole, and got by his writing, &c. a very large sum, an account of which may be seen in the notes to the Dunciad. VER. 130. POLWARTH] The Hon. Hugh Hume, son of Alexander Earl of Marchmont, grandson of Patric Earl of Marchmont, and distinguished, like them, in the cause of liberty. VER. 143. To break my windows] Which was done when Lord Bolingbroke and Lord Bathurst were one day dining with him at Twickenham. All the great persons celebrated in these satires were in violent opposition to government. |