M. SGRIBLERUS Lectori.
THE Errata of this Edition1 we thought (gentle reader) to
have trusted to thy candor and benignity, to correct with
thy pen, as accidental Faults escaped the press: But seeing
that certain Censors do give to such the name of Corruptions of the
Text and false Readings, charge them on the Editor, and judge that
correcting the same is to be called Restoring) and an Atchievement
that brings Honour to the Critic; we have in like manner taken it upon
ourselves.
Book I Verse 8. E'er Pallas issued from the Thund'rers head. E'er is
the contraction of ever, but that is by no means the sense in this
place: Corrett it, /without the least scruple, E*re, the contraction of
or-ere, an old English word for before. What Ignorance of our
mother tongue!
Verse 6. Still Dunce [ ] second reignf like Dunce the fast. Read
infallibly, still Dunce the second—Want of knowledge in the very
Measure!
Verse 23, 24.------tho* her power retires,
Grieve not at ought our sister realms acquire.
Read,—our sister realm acquires. Want of Ear even in Rhimel
Verse 38.------Lintot9.r rubric's post. Read, rubric post. I am aware,
there is such a Substantive as Rubric, The Rubric; but here (I *can
assure the Editor) it is an Adjective.
Verse 189. Remarks. C'est le mem quern Mare <Marc> Tulle. Cor-
rect it boldly, le meme que Mare <Marc> Tulle. Ignorance in the
French!
1 <The edition of 17290.. This piece has been reprinted here since it shows how
even in correcting the errors of the press Pope still pursued his aim of satirizing
Theobald and the other verbal critics who set commas and points "exactly right."
In some copies of 17290, a quite different "M. Scriblerus Lectori" follows p. 84.
(See Griffith, vol. x, pt. i, p. 167. The British Museum copy, 642 k 2(1) has this
extra leaf.) In 172^ there is again an "M. Scriblerus Lectori" differing from that
printed here, and continuing the satirical banter at the expense of textual
critics.
In the opening paragraph of this piece Pope is glancing at Theobald's Shakes-
peare Restored, and to some exten* parodying his style of writing in that work.
Gf. A i in.>
195