Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum: C Utar, et ex modico, quantum res poscet, acervo Tollam: nec metuam, quid de me judicet hæres, Quòd non plura datis invenerit. Et tamen idem Scire volam, quantùm simplex hilarisque nepoti Discrepet, et quantùm discordet parcus avaro. "Distat enim, spargas tua prodigus, an neque sumptum Invitus facias, nec plura parare labores : Ac potiùs, puer ut festis Quinquatribus olim, NOTES. Ver. 274. like Bu-] Bubb Doddington, afterward Lord Melcombe, whose curious Diary has discovered many despicable Court secrets and mean intrigues. Warton. Ver. 277. fly, like Oglethorpe,] Employed in settling the colony of Georgia. Pope. Here are lines that will justly confer immortality on a man who well deserved so magnificent an eulogium. He was at once a great hero and a great legislator. The vigor of his mind and body have seldom been equalled. The vivacity of his genius continued to a great old age. The variety of his adventures, and the very different scenes in which he had been engaged, makes one regret that his life has never been written. Dr. Johnson once offered to do it, if the General would furnish the materials. Johnson had a great regard for him, for he was one of the first persons that highly, in all companies, praised his London. His first campaign was made under Prince Eugene, against the Turks; and this great General always spoke of Oglethorpe in the highest terms. Neither he nor Eugene loved Marlborough. He once told me (for I had the pleasure of knowing him well,) that Eugene, speaking of Marlborough, said: "There is a great difference in making war en maître, or en avocat." But his settlement of the colony in Georgia 280 Why one like Bu- with pay and scorn content, 285 I, who at some times spend, at others spare, 290 Divided between carelessness and care. 'Tis one thing "madly to disperse my store; Glad, like a boy, to snatch the first good day, NOTES. away. 295 Georgia gave a greater lustre to his character than even his military exploits. Warton. Ver. 280. That God of Nature, &c.] Here our Poet had an opportunity of illustrating his own philosophy; and so giving a much better sense to his original; and correcting both the naturalism and the fate of Horace, which are covertly conveyed in these words: "Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, NATURE DEUS HUMANE." Warburton. 'Pauperies immunda domûs procul absit: ego, utrùm Nave ferar magnâ an parvâ; ferar unus et idem. isto Cum vitio fugêre? caret tibi pectus inani NOTES. Ver. 302. In power, wit,] The six words in the original, "Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re," are wonderfully close, emphatical, and compact; but I think they could hardly be better expressed than by our author. He has not, perhaps, succeeded so well in imitating another line below: "Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas;" a line of admirable brevity. Warton. Ver. 312. Survey both worlds,] It is observable with what sobriety he has corrected the licentiousness of his original, which made the expectation of another world a part of that superstition he would explode; whereas the Imitator is only for removing the false terrors from the world of spirits; such as the diablerie of witchcraft and purgatory. Warburton. 'What is't to me (a passenger, God wot,) In 305 power, wit, figure, virtue, fortune, placed Behind the foremost, and before the last. "But why all this of Avarice? 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 power? Does neither rage inflame, nor fear appal? Not the black fear of death that saddens all? With terrors round, can reason hold her throne,310 Despise the known, nor tremble at th' unknown? Survey both worlds, intrepid and entire, In spite of witches, devils, dreams, and fire? Pleased to look forward, pleased to look behind, And count each birth-day with a grateful mind? Has life no sourness, drawn so near its end? Can'st thou endure a foe, forgive a friend? Has age but melted the rough parts away, As winter-fruits grow mild ere they decay? Or will you think, my friend, your business done, When, of a hundred thorns, you pull out one? "Learn to live well, or fairly make You've play'd, and loved, and eat, and drunk your your will; fill: U 2 |