Besides, a fate attends on all I write,

410

That when I aim at praise, they say "I bite.
A vile "encomium doubly ridicules:
There's nothing blackens like the ink of fools.
If true, a 'woful likeness; and if lies,
"Praise undeserved is scandal in disguise:"
Well may he 'blush, who gives it, or receives;
And when I flatter, let my dirty leaves
(Like Journals, Odes, and such forgotten things
As Eusden, Philips, Settle, writ of kings)
Clothe spice, line trunks, or fluttering in a row,
Befringe the rails of Bedlam and Soho.

415

THE SECOND EPISTLE

OF THE

SECOND BOOK OF HORACE.

Ludentis speciem dabit, et torquebitur.

In this piece, which was first published by Dodsley in 1737, Pope, as in several of the preceding Imitations, has frequently referred to the circumstances of his early life, in a manner well calculated to conciliate the favour of the reader, and indirectly to elucidate some parts of his own history. His self-taught acquirements, and the disadvantages he had to sustain on account of his religious tenets, are noticed at ver. 52, &c. His distaste to a town life, at ver. 88, &c. The philosophic indifference with which he regards superlative wealth and extensive possessions, at ver. 212, &c. The firmness and resignation with which he looks forwards towards the close of life, are finely expressed at the conclusion, where he has modified, and chastened, and perhaps excelled, his original.

VOL. VI.