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2 




THE 

■WORKS 

1 

OF THE 

ENGLISH POETS- 
WIT H 
PREFACES, 

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL, 
BY SASIUEL JOHNSON. 



VOLUME THE THIRTY -SECOND. 



LONDON: 

P R I X T n I) BY W. A M> A. S T R A H A M ; 

OR C.EATHUr.Sl , J. BUCK LAND, W. S T RAH AN, J. RIV 1 NO- 
TON AND SONS, T. DAVIES, 'J'. P AYNK, L. DAVl'J, W. OWHN, 
31. WHITK, S. CROWDKK, T.<.ASl.oN, 1'. LONOMAK, 
Ji. LAW, E. ANI> C. OILLV, j. DODSLKV, H. BALDWIN, 
J.WILKIE, J.RODSON, J. JOHNSON, '.LOWNDES, 
i'. UECKET, O. UDKINSON, T.CAJU i.l,, W. DAVIS, 
J. NICHOLS, r. NKWBF.RV, T. i;VANS, J. RID- 
LEY, K. BALDWIN, <;. NICOL, LEIGH ANB 
SOTHF.BY, J. BEW, N. CON ANT, 
J.MUI'.RAY, W. roX, J.BOWKN, 

^' i> c c L :: X I \. 



THE 

V O R K S 

OF THE 

TGLISH POETS. 

WITH 

R E F A C E S, 

GRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL, 
Y SASIUFX JOHNSON. 



L V M K T II ]•: 1' n 1 IX T \ -SEC O X .l>. 



L () N 1) () .\ . 

V 71 I NT '■ '> M ', V.-. A N ;> A. '. i ,; a u *. N ; 

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r.i» ■«•»«■ !: . , J. \:;.\\\, :.. c .»■, an- . 



THE 

POEMS 

O F 



O 



E. 



VOLUME L 



a 2 



TIBIS 



t i 1 

i)R. WARBURTQN'S 
ADVERTISEMENT 

fo the Octavo Edition ofMr. Pope's Works, 1751. 

MR. Pope, in his laft illnefs, amufed himfelf", 
amidft the care of liis higher concerns, in pre- 
paring a correfted and complete Edition of his wri- 
tings J and, with his ufual delicacy, was even folici- 
t0U8 to prevent any fliare of the offence they might 
occaiion, from falling on the Friend whom he had 
engaged to give them to the Public. 

In difcharge of this truft, the Public has here a com- 
plete Edition of his Works 5 executed in fuch a manner, 
as, I am perfuaded, would have been to his fatisfac- 
tiori. 

The Editor hath not, for the fake of profit, fuffered 
Ae Author's Name to be made cheap by a Subfcrip- 
tion; nor his Works to be defrauded of their due ho- 
nours by a vulgar or inelegant Impreflion; nor his 
ifnemory to be difgraced by any pieces unworthy of his 
talents or virtue. Oh the contrary, he hath, at a very 
great expence, ornamented this Edition with all the 
advantages which the beft Artifts in Paper, Printing, 
and Sculpture could beftow upon it. 

If the Public hath waited longer than the deference 
due to it fhould have fuffered, it was owing to a rfea-f 
fon which the Editor need not make a fecrct. It was 
his regard to the family-interefts q{ his deceafed Friends 

Vol. I. a Mr* 



iT ADVERTISEMENT. 

Mr. Pope, at his death, left large impreflions of feveraf' 
parts of his Works, unfold; the property of which wa» 
adjudged to belong to his Executors j and the Editor 
was willing they ftiould* have* time to difpofe of them 
to the bell advantage before the publication of tht» 
Edition (which hath been long prepared) fhould put a 
ftop to the faie. 

But it may be proper to be a little more particular 
concerning the fupeiiority of this edition above all the 
preceding : fo fu: as Mr. Pope himfelf was concerned* 
What the Editor hath do»e, the Reader muft colka for 
himfelf. 

The fir& Volume, and the original poems in the 
^cond, are here printed from a copy corre6led through- 
out by the Author himfelf, even to the very preface : 
which, with, feveral additional notes in his own hand, 
he delivered to the Editor a little before his death. The 
Juvenile Tranilations, in the other part of the fecond 
Volume, it vras never his intention to bring into thit 
Edition of his Works, on account of the levity of fome, 
the freedom of others, and the little importance of any. 
But thefe being the property of other men, the Editor 
had it not im his power to follow the Author's intention. 

The third Volume, all but the Eflay on Man (which, 
together with the Effay on Criticifm, the Author, a lit- 
tle before his death, had corrected and publifhed in 
Quarto, as a fpecimen of his proje£led Edition) was 
printed by him in his laft illneis (but never publiihed) 
in the manner it is now given. The difpoikion of the 
Epiftlc on the.Chaa^Urs of Men is quite altesed : that 



ADVERTISEMENT. m 

tn ^ Charaftert of Women, much enlarged ^ and dte 
EpiiUes on Riches and Ta^ corrected and improTed* 
To theft advantages .of the third Voimne, moft be ad« 
ded a great number of fine Verfes taken from the Au- 
thorns Manufcript-copies of thefe poemsy communic.ted 
by him for this purpofe to the Editor. TheTe, when 
lie firft pubiiihed the Poems to which they belong, he 
diought proper, for Tarioas reafons, to omit. Some 
from the Mannfcript-copy of the Eflay on Man, which 
tended to difciedit fate, and to recommend the moral 
government of God, had, by the £ditor*s advice, been 
xeftored to their places in die lail Edition of that Poem. 
The xeft, together with others of the like fort from his 
Mamifcript-copy of die other Ethic Epiftles, are here 
inferted at the bottom of the page, under the title of 
Variations. 

The fourth Volume contains the Satitts $ with their 
Prologue, the Epiftle to Dr. Arbuthnot j and Epilogue, 
the two Poems intitled mdccxxxviii. The Pro- 
logue and Epilogue are here given with die like advan* 
tages as the Ethic Epiftles in the foregoing Vohmie, 
that is to fay, with the Variations, or additional verftt 
from the Author's Manufcripts. The Epilogue to the 
Satires is likewife enriched with many and large notes, 
now firft printed from the Author's own Manufcript. 

The fifth Volume contains a correfbr and completer 
Edition of the Dunciad dian hath been hitherto pub- 
liihed ; of which, at preient, I have only this further 
to add. That it was at my requeft he laid the plan of a 
fourth Book. I often told him, it was pity fo fine a 
poem ihould remain difgraced by the meannefs of its 
a % ^\q^ 



3t a- V e' r r I s e m: e' jt r. 

fitbje6l, the moft infignificant of all Dunces, bad Rhy- 
mers, and malevolent Cavillers : That he ought to raife 
and ennoble it by pointing his Satire againft the moft 
pernicious of all, Minute-philofophers and Fi-ee-think- 
ers. I imagined too, it was for the intcreft of Religion, 
to have it known that fo great a Genius had a due ab- 
horrence of thcfc pcfts of Virtue and Society. He came 
readily into my opinion ; but, at the fame time, told 
me it would create him many enemies. He was not 
miftaken. For though the terror cf his pen kept theinr 
for fome time in refpeft, yet on his death they rofe with 
unreftrained fury, in numerous CofFee-houfe talcs, and 
Grubftreet libels. The plan of this admirable Satire 
was artfully contrived to fliew, that the follies and de- 
fers of a fafhionable Education naturally led to, and 
neceffarily ended in. Free-thinking; with defign to 
point cmt the only remedy adequate to fo fatal an evil. 
IX was to advance the fame ends of virtue and religion, 
that the Editor prevailed on him to alter every thiiTg in 
his moral writings that might be.fufpefted of having the 
leaft glance towards Fate or Naturalifm ; and to add 
what was proper to convince the world, that he was 
warmly on the fide of moral Government and a revealed 
Will, And it would be injuiUce to his memoiy not to 
declare that he embraced thefe ocoafions with the moft 
unfeigned pleafure. 

The fixth Volume confifts of Mr. Pope's mifeella* 
neous pieces in veifc andprofe*. Amongft the Verfe 
ieveral fine poems make now their firft appearance in 

* The profc is not within the plan of tb/'s edition. 

his 



ADVERTISEMENT. > 

In Works. And of the Profe, all that is good, and 
ladling but what is exquifitely £o, will be found in 
Ais Edition. 

The fevcnth, eighth, and ninth Volumes confift en- 
tirely of his Letters. The more valuable, as they ait 
the only tnie models which we, or perhaps any of our 
Beig^bofurs have, of familiar Epiftles. This collec- 
tion is now made more complete by the addition of 
&reral new pieces. Yet, excepting a fhort explanatory 
letter to Col. M. and the Letters to Mr. A. and Mr. 
W, (the latter of which aie given to fhew the Editor's 
inducements, and the engagements he was under, to 
intend the care of this Edition) excepting thefe, I fay, 
the reft are all publifhcd from the Author's own print- 
ed, though not publifhed, copies, delivered to the 
Editor. 

On the whole, the Advantages of this Edition, above 
the preceding, are thefe. That it is the fii-ft complete 
colleftion which has ever been made of his original 
Writings ; That all his principal poems, of early or 
later date, are here given to the Public with his laft 
correftions and improvements 5 That a great number of 
his verfes are here firft printed from the Manufcript^- 
copies of his principal poems of later date ; That many 
new notes of the Author's are here added to his Poems ; 
and laftly, that feveral pieces, both in profe and verfe, 
make now their firft appearance before the Public* 

The Author's Life deferves a juft Volume 5 and the 

Editor intends to give it. For to have been one of the 

firft Poets in the world is but his fecond pralfe. He was 

33 in 



^ ADVERTISEMENT. 

in a higher Clafs. He was one of the nobleft works oT 
God. He was an honed Man *. A man who alone 
poffeffed more real virtue than, in very corrupt times, 
needing a Satirift like him, will fometimes fall to the 
(hare of multitudes. In this hiftory of his life, will be 
contained a large account of his writings 5 a critique on 
the nature, force, and extent of his genius, exemplified 
from thefe writings; and a vindication of his moral 
charafter, exemplified by his niore diftinguiflied virtues: 
his filial piety, his difinterefted friendihip, his reve- 
rence for the conftitution of his country, his love and 
admiration of virtue, and (what was the necefliuy 
efFe6l) his hatred and contempt of vice, his extenfive 
charity to the indigent, his warm benevolence to man- 
kind, his fupreme veneration of the Deity, and, above 
all, his fincere belief of Revelation. Nor fhall his faults 
be ooncealed. It is not for the interefts of his virtues 
that ^ey ihould. Nor indeed could they be concealed, 
if we were fo minded, for they fhine through his Vir- 
tues i no man being more a dupe to the fpecious appear- 
ances of Virtue in odiers. In a word, I mean not to 
"be his Panegyifift, but his Hiftorian. And may I, 
whien Envy and Calumny take the fame advantage of 
my abfenoe (for, while I live, I will freely truft it to 
my Life to confiite them) may I find a friend as careful 
of my honeft fame as I have been of His 1 Together 
with his Works, he hath bequeathed me his Dimces. 



• " A ,wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod, 
<< An boxuA Man *• the nobleft woxk of God.'' 



So 



ADVERTISEMENT. vii 

as the property is transferred, I could wifh they 
now let his memory alone. The veil which 
draws over the Good is fo facred, that to throw 
on the (hiine fcandalizes even Barbarians. And 
Rome permitted her Slaves to calumniate her 
tizens on the day of Triumph, yet the fame pe- 
' at their funeral would have been rewarded with 
ion and a gibbet. The Public may be malici- 
•ut is rarely vindictive er ungenerous. It would 
hek infults on a vmter dead, though it had borne 
le ribaldry, or even fet the ribalds on work, when 
alive. And in this there was no gi^at harm : 
muft have a fbange impotency of mind whom 
liferable fcribblers can ruffle. Of all that grofs 
m phalanx who have written fcurriloufly againft 
tnow not fo much as oiy whom a writer of repu- 
kvould not wifh to have his enemy, or whom a man 
our would not be afhamed to own for his friend, 
ideed but (lightly converfant in their works, and 
little of the particulars of their defamation. To 
ithorfliip they are heartily welcome. , But if any 
n have been fo abandoned by Truth as to attack 
3ral charaCler in any inftance whatfoever, to aU 
rery one of thefe, and their abettors, I give die 
form, and in the words of honeft Father Vale<- 
* Mentiris impudentifiime/* 



2 4 RECOM- 



I « 1 

OMMENDATORY POEMS. 



Mr. POPE, on his Pastorals. 

fe more dull, as more cenfbrious days, 
n few dar^ give, and fewer merit praife, 
fmcere, that never Flattery knew, 
at to friendfhip and defert is due. 
yet judicious 5 in your verfe are found 5 

igthening Nature, Senfe improvM by Sound. 
hofe Wits, whofe numbers glide along 
:h, no thought e'er interrupts the fong : 
ifly enervate they appear, 
te not to the head, but to the ear : 10 

ds unmov'd and unconcem'd they lull, 
at beft moft mufically dull : 
ig ftreams with even murmurs creep, 
h the heavy heai^rs into deep, 
theft fpeech is moft deceitful found, ig 

Dtheft numbers oft are empty found, 
and Judgment join at once in you, 
as Youth, as Age confummate too : 
ins are regularly bold, and pleafe 
Forc'd cai-e, and unafFe6led eafe, %o 

)per thoughts, and lively images ; 
}y Nature to the Ancients fhewn, 
tpixyves, and judgment makes your own : 
: men's falhions to be followed are, 
I djfgraceful *tis their cloaths to wear^ 25 

Some 



[ X ] 

Some in a polifli'd ftyle write Paftorat, 

Arcadia fpeaks the language of the Mall. 

Like fome fair Shepherdefs, the Sylvan Mufe 

Should wear thofe flowers her native fields pi-oduce ; 

And the true mcafure of the fhcpherd's wk 39 

Should, like his garb, be for the Country fit : 

Yet muft his pure and unafie6^ed thought 

More nicely than the common fwain's be wrought^ 

So, with becoming art, the Players drefs 

In filks the fhepherd, and the ihepherdefs $ 35 

Yet flill unchanged the foim and mode remain^ 

Shap'd like the homely niffet <rf the Twain. 

Your rural Mufe appears to juftify 

The long-loil graces of fimplicity : 

So rural beauties captivate our fenfe 4* 

With virgin charms, and native excellence. 

Yet long her Modefly thofe charms conceaPd 5 

Till by men's Envy to the world reveal'd; 

For Wits induftrious to their trouble feem. 

And needs will envy what tliey muft «fteem. 4*5 

Live, and enjoy their ipite ! nor mpum that fate« 
Which would, if Virgil, liv'd, on Virgil wait j 
Whofe Mufe did once, like thine, in plains delight^ 
Thine fhall, like his, foon take a higher flight ; 
So larks, which -firft-frcmi lowly fields arife, {O 

Mount by degrees, and/ reach at laft:the ikies. 

W. WYCHXILLEY. 



't«i 



I 



I « 1 



Ar. POP£» on his Windsor-Forbst. 

I L ! iacred Bard I a Mufe unknown before 
alutes thee from the bleak Atlantic ihore. 
' dark world thy ihining page is ihown, 
iTindfor^s gay retreat becomes our own. 
ailem pomp had juft bcfpoke our care, 
idia pour'd her gaudy treafures here i. 
ous fpoil adomM our naked land, 
inde of Perfia glitterM on our ftrand, 
hlna^s £arth was caft on common fand t 
up and down the glofly fragments lay, lo 

lrers-*d the rocky flielvesy and pavM the painted 

bay. 
' tx!eafures next arrived : and now we boaft 
ler cargo on our barren coaft : 
:hy luxuriant Foreft we recciTe 
afting glories than the Eaft can give. «5 

sre^er we dip in thy delightful page, 
pompous fcenes our bufy thoughts engage ! 
>mpous fcenes in all their pride appear, 
n the page, as in the grove' they were. 
Jf fo true the fair JLodona ihows 40 

Ivan iftate that on her border grows, 
fhe the wondering Aiepherd entertains 
I new Windfor in her watery plains : 
tfter lays the lucid wave furpafsy 
ving fcene is in the Mufe*s glafs. 95- 

N«r 



1 



[ xii 3 

Nor fweeter notes the echoing Forefts chear. 

When Philomela fits and warbles there. 

Than when you fing the greens and opening glades. 

And give us Harmony as well as Shades : 

A Titian's hand might draw the grove ; but you 30 

Can paint the grove, and add the Mufic too. 

With vaft variety thy pages fliine ; 
A new creation ftarts in every line. 
How fudden trees rife to the reader^s fight. 
And make a doubtful fcene of fhade and light, 35 
And give at once the day, at once the night '. 
And here again what fweet confufion reigns. 
In dreary deferts mix*d^ with painted plains I 
And fee ! the deferts caft a pleafmg gloom. 
And ihrubby heaths rejoice in purple bloom : 4c 

Whilft fruitful crops rife by their barren fide. 
And bearded groves difplay their annual pride.r 

Happy the man, who ihings his tuneful lyre 
Where woods, and brooks, and breathing fields inipirel 
Thrice happy you ! and worthy beft to dwell 4« 

Amidft the rural joys, you fing fo well. 
I in a cold, and in a barren clime> 
Cold as my thought, and barren as my rhyme. 
Here on the Weftern beach attempt to chime, 
O joylefs flood ! O rough tcmpeftuous main ! 5c 

Border'd with weeds, and folitudes obfcene ! 

Snatch me, ye Gods ! from thefe Atlantic fhores. 
And flielter me in Windfor's fragrant bowers j 
Or to my much-lov'd Ifis' walk convey. 
And on her flowery bank? for ever lay. 5 

Thenc( 



t »« ] 

thence let BBC view the. tsencrable fceney 

The awfiil dome, the groves eternal green t 

Inhere iacrefi Hough long found his fain*d retrett. 

And brought the Mufet to the fylvfts feat^ 

Reformed the witt > unlocked the Claflic ftore, , 60 

^ made tfafit Mnfic which was noiie before* 

There wit)l iU^firiooa Bards I fpent ray days, 

Kot free ham ecnfure, nor unknown to praile, 

Eijpy*d the bleffings that his reign beflowM^ 

RbrenvyMWiiKUbr in the foft abode. 65 

He golden auniitet ftnoothly danc'd away, . 

And tuneful Bivda beguilM the tedious day t 

Tbeyfungy nor iung in Tain, with numbers fir*d 

ThatMaiosliiigbty or Addifon ini{ur'd. 

Ev*n I eflay*4 to touch the trembling ftring s 70 

Who could hear them, and not attempt to fing ? 

Rouz^d frpm thefe dreams by thy commanding ftrain, 
1 rife and wander through the field or plain ; 
Ud by thy Mufe, from fport to fpoit J run, 
Mark the ftretch'd line, or heai* the thundering gun. 75 
Ah ! how I melt with pity, when I fpy 
On the cold earth the fluttering pheafant lie ! 
tiis gaudy robes in dazzling lines appear. 
And every feather fhines and varies there. 

Nor can I pafs the generous courfer by ; So 1 

^ot while the prancing fteed allui-es my eye, > 

He (buts, he 's gone ! and now I fee him fly J 

^'tr hills and dales, and now I lofe the courfe, 
^*or can the rapid Hght purfue the flying horfc. 



\ 



! 



Oh could thy Virgil from his orb look down> fji 

He'd view a courier that might match his own ! 
Fir'd with the fport, and eager for the chace, " 

Lodona's murmurs ftop me in the race. 
Who can refufe Lodona's melting tale ? 5 

The foft complaint ihall over Time prevail $ j^ 

The Tale be told, when fhades forfake her fhon, k 
The Nymph be fung, when ihe can flow no more. ^ 

Nor fhall thy fong, old Thames ! forbear to ihine» 
At once the fubje^ and the ibng divine. 
Peace, fung .by thee, ihall pleafe ev*n Britons more 
Than all their ihoutft for Viftoiy before* 
Oh I could Britannia imitate thy ftream, '< 

The world fhould tremble at her awful name t 
From various fprings divided waters glide, 
In diifertnt colours roll a different tide, iffi 

Murmur along their crooked banks a while. 
At once they murmur, and enrich the iile^ 
A while diitin6l through many channels run. 
But meet at laft, and fweetly flow in one $ 
There joy to lofe their long-diftinguifli'd names, 205 
And make one glorious and immortal Thames. 

FR. KNAP. 



] 



t «r J 

Tq Mr. P O P E^ 

Bftbt Right HoooMlbk 
A H N B Conntefi of Wxhchilliba, 

THE MttfeiofeveiyliesmJy gift allowed 
Tol)e tbe chief, is public, though not proucU 
Widely eztoifivc ia the Poet*t ainij 
fbid in each.Ter£b he draws a bill on Fame, 
PiOc none haire wit (^diatever they pretend) f 

Singly to laiie a Pation or a Friend $ 
ftttt wfaatlbe*er the theme or obje^k he. 
Some cMBmcndiitions to themielves forefM. 
Then let us find, in your foregoing page« 
The celebrating Poems of the age, xo 

Nor by injurious fcruples think it fit. 
To hide their judgments who applaud your wits 
But let their pens, to yours, the heralds prove. 
Who ftrive for you, as Greece for Homer ftrove. 
Whilft he who bcft your Poetry a(rerts,. 15 

Aflerts his own, by fympathy of parts. 
Me Panegyric veiie does not infpire. 
Who never well can praife what I admire, 
Nor in ihoCe U£tf triads dare appear. 
But gently drop this oounfel in yoxu- ear. 20 

Goon, to gain applauies by defert } 
Inform the head, whilft you diflblve the heart : 
laiame the ibldierwith harmonious rage, 
£late the yausg^ BiiJgniineiy warm the faget 



C xvi ] 

Allure, with tender verfe, the Female race, » 

And give their darling paillon, courtly gi*ace. 

Defcribe the Foreft ftill in rural ftrains. 

With vernal fweets frefh-breathmg from the plains. 

Your Tales be eafy, natural, and gay. 

Nor all the Poet in tliat part difplay ; y 

Nor let the Critic there his Ikill unfold. 

For Boccace thus and Chaucer tales have told. 

Soodl, as you only can, each different taftc. 

And for the future charm as in the paft. 

Then, fliould the verfe of every aitful hand 33 

Before your numbers eminently ftand 5 

In you no vanity could thence be ihown, 

Unlefs, fince ihort in beauty of your own. 

Some envious fcribbler might in fpight declare. 

That for comparifon you plac'd them there. 4c 

But Envy could "not againft you fucceed : 

'Tis not from friends that write, or foes that read 5 

Ccnfure'or Praife muft fi-om ourfelves proceed. 

To Mr. POPE. 
By Mifs JuD. CowpER, afterwards Mrs. Madan 

/^ Pope, by what conmianding wondrous art, 
^^ Doft thou each paflion to each breaft impart ? 
Our beating Hearts with fpiightly meafures move, 
Or melt us with a tale of haplefs Love ! 
*\' elated mind*s impetuous ilarts control, 
gently footh to peace the troubled foul ! 



dll now diat fiagly met our view, 

gly duurm^dy unite at once in you s 

[>olite9 from a£[e^tion free, lo 

corrednefsy Homer^s majefty ! 

iller'8 eafe, with Milton*s vigour wrought, 

mfei**s bold luxurtancy <^ thought. 

bright page. Strength, Beauty, Genius ihine, 

ervous Judgment guides each flowing Line. 1 5 

ow'd Tinfel glitters o'er thefe Lays, 

the Mind a falfe Delight conveys : 

tiQut the whole with blended power is found, 

^ght of Senfe and Elegance of Sound. 

. Fancy, Wit, and Force, and Fire, s« 

:ach motion of th' immortal Lyie. 

ichlefs ftrains our raviih'd fenfes charm : 

»t the thought ! the images how warm ! 

mtifully juft the turns appear i 

Tuage how majeftically clear ! 95 

ergy divine each period fwells, 

the Bard th' infpiring God reveals. 

ielights, my dazzled eyes I turn, 

Thames leans hoary o'er his ample urn } 

lis rich waves fair Windfor's towers furround, 

Linteous ru(h amid poetic ground. 

for! (acred to thy blifsful feats, 

Iran ihades, the Mufes* lov'd retreats, 

ng hills, low vales, and waving woods, 

iny glades, and celebrated floods I 35 

f Lodona's filver tides, that flow 

1 unfuUied as the mountain ihow \ 

I. h VTVofe 



[ xviii 3 
Whofe virgin name no time nor change can hide^ 
Though ev'n her fpotlefs waves fliould ceafe to glide i 
In mighty Pope's immortalizing drains, ^ 

Still fhall (he gi-ace and i*ange the verdant plains j 
By him fele^led for the Mufes' theme. 
Still (hine a blooming maid, and roll a limpid flxtam. 

Go on, and, with thy rare refiftlefs art. 
Rule each emotion of the various heart j 45 

The fpring and teft cf verfe unrival'd reign. 
And tlie full honours of thy youth maintain j 
Sooth with thy wonted eafe and power divine. 
Our fouls, and our degenerate taftes refine ; 
In judgment o'er our favourite follies fit, co 

And foften Wifdom's harfli reproofs to Wit. 

Now war and anns thy mighty aid demand. 
And Homer wakes beneath thy powerful hand j 
His vigour, genuine heat, and manly force. 
In thee rife worthy of their facred fource j 55 

His fpirit heightened, yet his fenfe intire. 
As Gold runs purer from the trying fire. 
O, for a Mufe like thine, while I rehearfe, 
Th' immortal beauties of thy various verfe ! 
Now light as air th' inlivening numbers move, 60 

Soft as the downy plumes of fabled Love, 
Gay as the ftreaks that ftain the gaudy bow. 
Smooth as Meander's cryftal Mirrours flow. 
But, when Achilles, panting for the war. 
Joins the fleet courfers to the whirling car 5 65 

When the warm hero, with celeftial might, 
ugments the terror of the raging fight. 

From 



[ xix I 

From hit fierce eyes refulgent lightnings fizeam 

( A« Sol emerging darts a golden gkun) } 

In rough hoarfe verfc we fee th' embattled foes j 75 

In each loud ftrain the fiery onfit glows ; 

With ftrength redoubled here Achilles fhines. 

And all the battle thunders in thy lines. 

So the bright Magic of the Fainter^s hand. 
Can cities, ftreams, tall towers, and far-fbctch*d plains, 
command; 75 

Here fpreading woods embrown the beaoteons icene. 
There the wide landfcape finiles with livelier green. 
The floating glafs reflefts the diftant Iky, 
And o'er the whole the glancing Ain-beams fly 5 
Buds open, and difclofe the inmoft fliade ; to 

The ripenM harFeft crowns the level glade. 
But when the aitift does a work defign. 
Where bolder rage informs each breathing line $ 
When the ftretch'd cloth a rougher ftroke receives, 
And Caefar awful in the canvas lives ; 15 

When Art like lavifli Nature's felf fupplies, 
Grace to the limbsy and fpint to the Eyes ; 
When ev'n the paflions of the mind are feen. 
And the Soul fpeaks in the exalted Mein ; 
When all is juft, and regular, and great, 90 

We own the mighty Mafter*s fluU, as boundlefs as 
complete. 



b 2 Lord 



[ fc ] 

Lord MIDDLESEX to Mr. POPE. 

On reading Mr. Ad di so it's Account of the 
Englifti Poets. 

T F all who eVr inyok'd the tuneful Nine 

-* In Addifon'^.liiijeftic numbers (hine. 

Why then ihould P^» ye bards, ye critics tell. 

Remain unfung^ vrho iings himfelf fo well i 

Hear then, great bard, who can alike infpire 5 

With Waller's foftnefs, or with Milton*s fire } 

Whilft I, the meaneft of the Mufes' throng. 

To thy juft praifes tune th' adventurous fong. 

How am I fill -d with rapture and delight 
When gods and nuKtals, mix*d, fuftain the fight 1 !• 
Like Milton then, though in more polifh'd (trains^ 
Thy chariots rattle o*er the fmoaking j^ains. 
What though archangel *gainft archangel arms. 
And higheft Heaven refounds with dire alarms I 
Doth not the reader with like dread furvey 15 

The woimded gods repuls'd with foul difmay ? 

But when fome fair-one guides your fofter verfe. 
Her charms, her godlike features, to rdiearfe i 
See how her eyes with quicker lightnings arm. 
And Waller's thoughts in fmoother numbers charm. 20 

When fools provoke, and dunces uige thy rage, 
Flecknoe improv*d bites keener in each page. 
Give o'er, great bard, your fruitlefs toil give o'er, 
For ftill king Tibbald fcribbles as before j 

Poor 



t ^^ 1 

Poor Shakeijpeare fuffcrs by hit pen each day, 25 

While Grubftreet alleys own his lawful fway. 

Now turn, my Mule, thy quick, poetic eyes. 
And view gay fcenes and opening profpe£b rife. 
Hark ! how his niftic numbers charm around. 
While groves to groves, and hills to hills refoimd. 30 
The liftening beafts ftand fearlcfs as he fings^ 
And birds attentive dole their uielefs wings. 
The fwains and fatjrrs trip it o*er the plain. 
And think old Spenfer is reviv*d again. 
But when once more thA godlike man begun 3 5 

In words fmooth flowing from his tuneful tongue, 
RaviihM they gaze, and ftruck with wonder (ay. 
Sure Spenfer*s felf ne^er (ung fo fweet a lay : 
Sure once again Eliaa glads the ifle, 
That the kind Muies thus propitious fmiie— 40 

Why gaze ye thus ? Why all this wonder, fwains ? — 
*Tis Pope that fings, and Carolina reigns. 

But hold, my Mufe ! whofe aukward verfe betrays 
Thy want of (kill, nor (hew the poet*s praife $ 
Ceafe then, and leave ibme fitter bard to tell 45 

How Pope in every firain can write, in every ftrain cxcell. 



t^ 



.■1 



[ xxii 3 

To Mr. POPE. 

On the publilhing his Works. 

T T E comes, he comes ! bid every Bard prepare 
•*■ -*' The fong of ti-iumph, and attend his Car. 
Great Sheffield's Mufe the long proceffion heads, 
And throws a luftre o'er the pomp fhe leads, 
Firft gives the Palm fhe fir'd him to obtain, 5 - 

Crowns his gay brow, and fliews him how to reign. 
Thus young Alcides, by old Chiron taught. 
Was form'd for all the miracles he wrought : ' 

Thus Chiron did the youth he taught applaud, 
PIeas*d to behold the eameft of a God. 10 

But hark, what ihouts, what gathering crouds rejoice 
Unftain''d their praife by any venal voice. 
Such as th* Ambitious vainly think their due. 
When Proftitutes, or needy Flatterers fue. 
And fee the Chief! before him laurels borne i 15 

Trophies from undeferving temples torn 5 
Here Rage enchained reluftant raves, and there 
Pale Envy dumb, and fick'ning with defpair. 
Prone to the earth ftie bends her loathing eye. 
Weak to fupport the blaze of majefty, 20 

But what are they that turn the facred page ? 
Three lovely Virgins, and of equal age 5 
Intent they read, and all enamoured feem. 
As he that met his likenefs in the ftream s 
The Graces thefe; and fee how they contend, 15 
Who moft (hall praife, who beft (hall recommend. 

The 



[ «»" ] 

The Chariot now the painful fteep afcends. 
The Pieans ceafe i thy glorious labour ends, 
fiat fix'd, the bright eternal Temple ftands. 
Its pro^eft an unbounded view commands : 30 

Say, wondroils youth, what Column wilt thou chuie. 
What laureled Arch for thy triumphant Mufe ? 
Though Qich great Ancient court thee to his (hrine. 
Though e^ery Laurel through the dome be thine, 
(From the proud Epic, down to thofe that ihade 3 5 
The gentler brow of the £b£t Lefbian maid) 
Go to the Good and Juft, an awful train. 
Thy foul''8 delight) and glory of the Fane : 
While throo|^ the eaith thy dear remembrance flies, 
** Sweet to the world, and grateful to the fides.** 40 
SIMON HARCOURT. 

[The verfes to Mr. Pope, by the Duke of Bucking- 
ham, Dr. Pamell, Mr. Broome, Mr. Fenton, and 
Lord Lyttelton, are inferted among the Poems of their 
rcfpeftive Authors.] 



P^Y.. 



THE 

POEMS. 

O F 

ALEXANDER POPE, Esq. 

WITH HIS LAST 

'ORRECTIONS, ADDITIONS, and 
IMPROVEMENTS. 

Printed verbatim from the Oftavo Edition 

OF 

Mr. WARBURTON. 



^mmm 



— " Horace avec Boileau? 
*' Vous y cherchiez le vrai, vous y goutiez le beau i 
<< Quelques traits cchapp^s d'une utile moralei 
«< Dans leurs piquans ccrits brillent par intervale* 
*« Mais Pope approfondit ce q'ils ont effleur^ j 
«* D'un efprit plus hai*di, d'un pas plus afTurl^ 
*♦ II porta le flambeau dans Tabime de TEtre, ■ 
<* Et rhomme avec lui feul apprit a fe connoitre# 
*' L'art quelquefois frivole et quelquefois dlTin, 
** L'art des vers t&. dans Pope utilb au GBNRB 

** HUMAIN*" 

Vqltairb^ au Koi de Frufle» 



t 3 1 

PREFACE. 

I AM inclined to think, that both the writers of 
books and the readers of them are generally not a 
little uni-eafonable in their expefiations. The firft feem 
to fancy that the world muft approve of whatever they 
produce, and the latter to imagine that authors are obliged 
to pleafe them at any rate. Methinks, as on the one 
nand, no fmgle man is bom with a right of controling 
the opinions of all the reft ; fo on the other, the world 
has no title to demand, that the whole care and time of 
any particular perfon fliould be facrificed to its enter- 
tainment. Therefore I cannot but believe that writer* 
and readers are under equal obligations, for as much 
fame, or pleafure, as each affords the other. 

Every one acknowledges, it would be a wild notion 
to cxpeft perfeftion in any work of man : and yet one 
would think the contrary was taken for granted, by the 
judgment commonly paffed upon Poems. A Critic 
fuppofes he has done his part, if he proves a writer to 
have failed in an expreflion, or erred in any particular 
point : smd can it then be wondered at, if the Poets, in 
general, feetti i-efolved not to own themfelves in any 
error ? For as long as one lide will make no allowances, 
the other will be brought to no acknowledgments *• 

lam 

• In the former editions it was thus— -*^* For as long 
•* as one fide defpifes a well-meant endeavour, the otUet 
•• wUl not be fotisfied with 'd moderate a'^pro'o^iUoTv:' — 



4 PREFACE. 

I am afraid this extreme zeal on both fides is ill- 
placed; Poetry and. Criticifm being by na meaxid the 
univei-fal concern of the world, but only the afBur of 
idle men who write in their clofets, and of idle men 
who read there. 

Yetfuie, upon the whole, a bad Author deferves bet-f. 
tcr ufage than a bad Critic : for a Writer's endeavoiir, 
for the moft part, is to pleafe his Readei-s, and he fails 
merely through the misfortune of an ill judgment 5 but 
fuch a Critic's is to put them out of humour 5 a defign 
he could never go upon without both that and an ill 
temper. 

I think a good deal may be faid to extenuate the fault 
of bad Poets. What we call a Genius, is hard to be 
diftinguiihed by a man himfelf, from a ftrong inclina- 
tion : and if his genius be ever fo great, he cannot at 
firft difcover it any other way, than by giving way to 
that prevalent propenAty which rendei-s him the more 
liable to be miftaken. The only method he has, is to 
make the experiment by writing, and appealing to the 
judgment of others : now if he happens to winte ill 
(which is certainly no fm in itfelf), he is immediately 
made an object of ridicule. I wiih we had the huma- 
nity to refleft, that even the worft authors might, in 
their endeavour to pleafe us, deferve fomething at our 
hands. ■ We have no caufe to quarrel with them but for 
their obftinacy in perfifting to write 5 and this too may 

But the Author altered it, as thefe words were rather a 
confequence from the conclufion he would draw, than the 
ronclufjon itfelf, which he has now inferted. 



PREFACE. 5 

admit of alleviating circumfiances. Their particular 
frieads may be either ignorant, or infincere $ and the 
reft of the world in general is too well-bred to fhock. 
them with a truth, which generally their Bookfellers 
are the firft that inform them of. This happens not till 
they have fpent too much of their time, to apply to any 
profeflion which might better fit their talents ; and till 
fuch talents as they have are fo far difcicdited as to be 
but of fmall fervice to them. For (what is the hardcfl 
cafe imaginable) the reputation of a man generally de- 
pends upon the firft fteps he makes in the world -, and 
people will eftablifh their opinion of us, from what we 
do at that feafon, when we have leaii judgment to direct 
us. 

On the otlier lian.d, a good Poet no fooncr communi- 
cates his works with the lame defu-e of information, hut 
it is imagined he is a vain young creature given up to 
tlie ambition of fame j when perhaps the poor man i ■» 
all the while trembling with the fear of being ridicu- 
lous. If he is made to hope he may pleafe the work:, 
he falls under vcr)' unlucky circumftances : for, from 
the moment he prints, he muft expect to hear no rr.ore 
truth, than if he were a Prince, or a Beauty. If he hu?, 
not very good fenfe (and indeed there are twenty r^ m 
of wit for one man of fenfe), his living thus in a ccurfj 
of flattery may put him in no fmall danger of becoming 
a Coxcomb : if he has, he will confcquently have fo 
much diffidence as not to reap any great iatisfa£tlori 
from his praife ^ fince, if it be given to his face, it c^n 
fcarce be diftinguiflied from flatter)-, and if m \C\% 2>a- 
B 5 ^ttvQt^ 



6 I'REFACE. 

fence, it is hard to be certain of it. Were he fure t9 
be commended by the hcG: and moft knowing, he is as 
fure of being envied by the worft and moft ignorant, 
which ai*e the majority ; for it is with a fiiie Genius, as 
with a fine fafhion, all thofe are difpleafed at it who are 
not able to follow it : and it is to be feared that efteem 
will feldom do apy man fo much good, as ill-will does 
him harm. Then there is a third clafs of people who 
make the largeft part of mankind, thofe of ordinary or 
indifferent capacities ; and thefe (to a man) will hate, 
or fufpeft him : a hundred honeft Gentlemen will dread 
him as a Wit, and a hundred innocent women as a Sa- 
tirift. In a word, whatever be his fate in Poetry, it is 
ten to one but he muft give up all the reafonable aims 
of life for it. There are indeed fome advantages accru- 
ing from a Genius to Poetry, and they are all I can 
think of : the agreeable power of felf-amufement when 
a man is idle or alone 5 the privilege of being admitted 
into the beft company j and the freedom of faying as 
many carelefs things as other people, without being fo 
feverely remarked upon. 

I believe, if any one, early in his life, fhould con- 
template the dangerous fate of authors, he would fcarcc 
be of their number on any confideration. The life of 
a Wit is a warfare upon earth ; and the prefcnt fpiiit of 
the learned world is fuch, that to attempt to ferve it (any 
v^ray) one muft have the conftancy of a martyi*, and a 
refolution to fufFer for its fake. I could wifh people 
would believe, what I am pretty certain they will not, 
that I have been much Icfs concerned about Fame than 

Idurft 



PREFACE. r 

I Axak declare till this occaiioii, when methinks I 
(hoM find more credit than I could heretofore, fince 
my writings have had their fate already, and it is too 
late to think of prepoffeffing the reader in their favour. 
I would plead it as fome merit in me, that the world has 
never been prepared for thefe Trifles by Prefeu:es, biaflcj 
by recommendations, dazzled with the names of gn:::;t 
Patrons, wheedled with fine reafons and pretences, 
or troubled with excufes. I confefs it was want of 
confideration that made me an author ; I writ becaufc it 
amufed me ; I coiTcfted becaufe it was as plcafant to 
me to correft as to write ; and I publilhed becaufe I was 
told I might pleafe fuch as it was a credit to pler^Te. To 
what degree I have done this, I am really ignoi-ant ; 
I had too much fondnefs for my produdtions to judge 
of them at fii*ft, and too much judgment to be pleafed 
with them at laft. But I have rcafon to think they 
can have no reputation which will continue long, or 
virhich defenres to do fo : for they have always fallen 
Ihort not only of what I read of others, but cveikof 
my own ideas of Poetry. 

If any one (hould imagine I am not in eameft, I do- 
fu^ him to reflc6l, that the Ancients (to fay the leaft of 
them) had as much genius as we : and that to take more 
pains, and employ more time, cannot fail to produce 
more complete pieces. They conftantly applied thcm- 
felves not only to that art, but to that fmgle branch of 
an art, to which their talent was moit powerfully 
bent; and it v^ras the buCmefs of their lives to cor- 
reft and iiniAi their works for Pofterity. If we can. 



BBi 



t preface; 

pretend to have ufed the fame induftry, let us ex-'. 
pe£l the fame immortality : Though if we took the 
fame cai-e, we fhould ftill lie under a further misfor- 
tune : they writ in languages that became univerfal 
aiid everlafting, while ours are extremely limited both 
in extent and in duration. A mighty foundation for 
our pride ! when the utmoft we can hope, is but to 
be read in one Ifland, and to be thrown afide at the 
end of one Age. 

All that is left us is to recommend our produ^Hons 
by the imitation of the Ancients ; and it will be foimd 
true, that, in every age, the higheft charafter for fenfe 
and learning has been obtained by thofe who have « 
been moft indebted to them. For, to fay truth, what- 
ever is very good fenfe, mull have been common 
fenfe in all tiroes j and what wc call Learning, is but 
the knowledge of the fenfe of our prcdeceflbrs. There- 
fore they who fay our thoughts are not our own, be- 
caufe they rcfemblc the Ancients, may as well fay 
our faces are not our own, bccaufc they are like 
our Fathers : And indeed it is very unreafonable, that 
people ihould expeft us to be Scholars, and yet be 
angry to find us fo. 

I fairly confefs that I have fervcd myfelf all I 
could by reading J that I made ufc of the jildgment 
of authors dead and living j that I omitted no means 
in my power to be informed of my errors, both by 
my friends and enemies : But the ti-ue reafon thefc 
pieces are not more correal, is owing to the confi- 
Ueration how iliort a time they and I have to live; 

One 



PREFACE. 4r 

tf be aihamed to coniumc (wUI 6^ i ^v< ^ 
[^ ienie and rhyme togetiur ^ M't urtv**' ^^v^ 
(b unresdonable, at not u* U'^fvx « m^^^- '^-'U^ 
for any more feriout em^l/«^,.f.ik^^ ^ U4(4U 
le amufement ? 

mly plea I ihall ufe for the fiJfK^^ ^ rjut Ir^.- 
that I have a« great a niytrx {^ ;«, ** *u/^ fc^- 
ave for themfelvef $ ^aA duat f ibutv< ik^JUxA 
f my own felf-love for iu C»j«, ^£. ^5t/t;i':J-|^ 
y many mean things Utmi Cmi^ v^ y^'^^f ^^ 
7hich I thought toltnhie, I w^u^ iMA U liic4; 
uthors, who forgive i^mUAv*^ (orut ykrdc\ii»x 
>r the fake of a whole Poem, sjtA wa ^drft a 
^oem for the (ake of (ome particular lIoLf. I be- 
lo one qualificatu/n u fo likely to ni&kt a good 
as the power of rejecting his own t^ou^hts ^ aiid 
be this (if any thing) that can give me a chance 
le. For what I have publiihed, I can only hope 
ardoned $ but for what I have burned, I de/erve 
aifed. On this account the woi id is under fome 
on to me, and owes me the jullice in relum, to 
on no veries as mine that are not inierted in thi» 
on. And perhaps nothing could make it worth 
lie to own what are really fo, but to avoid the 
ion of fo many dull and immoral things, as 
by malice, and partly by ignorance, have been 
I to me. X muft further acquit myfelf of the 
ition of having lent my name to recommend any 
aniesy or Works of other men \ a thing I never 
: becoming a perfon who has hardly ctt^vX. 
to smfwer for bit ovra* 



10 PREFACE, 

In this office of colle£ling my pieces, I am altogefM 
uncertain, whether to look upon myfelf as a man build* 
ing a monument, or burying the dead. 

If Time (hall make it the former, may theie Poem 
(as long as they laft) remain as a teftimony that their 
Author never made his talents fubfervient to the mean 
and unworthy ends of Party or felf-intereft": the grati- 
fication of public prejudices or private paffions 5 the flat- 
tery of the undeferving, or the infult of the unfcH-tuiiste. 
If I have written well, let it be confidered that it i$ 
what no man can do without good fenfe, a quality thit 
not only renders one capable of being' a good writer, 
but a good man. And if I have made any acquifidon 
in the opinion of any one under the notion of the for- 
mer, let it be continued to me under no other title than 
that of the latter. 

But if this publication be only a more folemn fune- 
ral of my remains, I defire it may be known that I die 
in chai-ity, and in my fenfes ; without any murmurs 
againft the juftice of this age, or any mad appeals to 
pofterity. I declare I fhall think the world in the right, 
and quietly fubmit to every truth which Time (hall dif- 
cover to the prejudice of thefe writings ; not fo much 
as wifhing fo irrational a thing, as that every body 
fhould be deceived merely for my credit. However, I 
defire it may then be confidered. That therc are very few 
things in this coUeftion which were not wiitten under 
the age of five and twenty : fo that my youth may be made 
(as it never fails to be in Executions) a cafe of com- 
pafRon. That I was never fo concenied about my 
works as to vindicate them in print, believing, if any 

thing 



F R E P A C E; tt 

igwtt goody it- would defend itself, and what wa4 
htd could aevtr be defended. That I ufed no arti« 
in to ndfe or continue a reputation, depreciated no 
itadmahor I was obliged to, bribed no living one with 
v^nft pni&, infldted no adverfary with ill-language ; 
cr when I could not attack a Rivars works, encouraged 
i^oftt againft his Mords. To conclude, if this voliimtf 
poiiij kr it ienre as a warning to the Critics, Uot'to 
tike too much pains for the future to' de{hx>y fuch 
tlmigt M ^11 die of themfehes ; and a Memento 
mori to ibme of my vain contemporaries the Poets, to 
tadi dicm tiiat, when real merit is wanting, it avails 
noddng ID have been encouraged by the great, com- 
mended' bj tlie eminent^ and favoured by the Public iri 
geserala 
Nov. lo, X7i^. 

Variations in the Author's Manufcript Preface; 

AFTER page 6, 1. 21. it followed thus : For my 
jnrt, I confefs, had I feen things in this view, at 
firft, the Public had never been troubled either with my 
writings, or with this apology for them. I am fenfibl? 
how difficult it is to fpeak of one's felf with decency : 
but when a man muft fpeak of himfelf, the beft way is 
to fyak trudi of himfelf, or, he may depend upon it, 
others will do it for him. I'll therefore make this Pre- 
ftce a general confeffion of all my thoughts of my own 
Poetr/y refolving with the fame freedom to cxi^ofe wj- 



13 PREFACE. 

felf, as it is in the power of any other to expofe them. 
In the firil place, I thank God and nature, tiiat I vvas 
bom with a love to poetry j for nothing more conduces 
to fill up all the intei-vals of our time, or, if rightly 
ufed, to make the whole cpurfe of life entertaining: 
<* Cantantes licet ufque (minus via laedet)/' It is a 
vaft happinefs to poffefs the pleafures of the head, the 
only pleafures in which a man is fufficient to himfelf, 
and the only part of him which, to his fatisfaftion, he 
can employ all day long. The Mufes are *' amicae om- 
nium horaiimi 5" and, like our gay acquaintance, thebeft 
company in the world as long as one experts no real 
feiTJce from them. I confefs there was a time when I 
was in love with myfelf, and my firlt produflions were 
the children of feif-love upon innocence. I had made 
an Epic Poem, and Panegyrics on all the Princes in 
Europe, and thought myfelf the greatieft geiiius that 
ever was. I cannot but regret thofe delightful vifions of 
my childhood, which, like the fine colours we fee when 
our eyes are fhut, are vanished for ever. Many trials, 
and fad experience, have fo undeceived me by degrees, 
that I am utterly at a lofs at what rate to value myfelf. 
As for fame, I fhall be glad of any I can get, and not 
repine at any I mifs ; and as for vanity, I have enough 
to keep me from hanging myfelf, or even from wiihing 
thofe hanged who would take it away. It was this that 
made me write. The fenfe of my faults made me cor- 
real $ befides that it was as pleafant to me to correft as 
to write. 

At 



PREFACE. 13 

At p. 8. 1. 24. In the firft place^ I own that I have 
ufed my beft endeavours to the finifliing thefe pieces. 
That I made what advantage I could of the judgment 
of authors dead and living ; and that I omitted no 
means in my power to be informed of my errors by my 
friends and my enemies. And that I expe£l no favour 
on account of my youth, bufinefs, want of health, or 
any fiich idle excufes. But the true reafon they 
are not yet more correal is owing to the confideration 
how. fliort a time they, and I, have to live. A man 
that can cxpeft but fixty years, may be afhamed to em- 
ploy thirty in meafuring fyllables, and bringing fenfe 
and rhyme together. We fpend our youth in purfuit of 
nches or ^Eone, in hopes to enjoy them when we ai-e 
old 5 and when we are old, we find it too late to enjoy 
any diing. I therefore hope the Wits will pardon me, 
if I referve fome of my time to fave my fcul 5 and that 
fome wife men vriW be of my opinion, even if I fhould 
think a part of it better fpent in the enjoyments of life, 
dian in pleaiing the critics. 



*? KV 



PASTORALS, 

WITH A 

DISCOURSE on PASTORAJU 

Written in the Year mdcciv. 



*' Rnra milii et rigui placeant in Tallibos amneSf 
— Flunuaa ameni^ fylTafijuei inglorius 1" 

ViRG. 



THE Paftorals were written at tlie age of fixteen, and 
then paired through the hands of Mr. Walfli, Mr. 
Wycheiley, G. Granville, afterwards Lord Lanf- 
down, Sir VVilliam Trumbal, Dr. Garth, Lord Hali- 
fax, Lord Somers, Mr. Maynwaring, and others. All 
thefe gave cur Author the greateft encouragement, and 
pw-ticulaily Mr. Walfh, whom Mr. Dryden, in his 
roftfcript to Virgil, calls the beft Critic of his age. 
•* The Autjaor (fays he) feems to have a particular 
*' genius for this kind of Poetry, and a judgment that 
*' much exceeds his years. He has taken very freely 
*« from the Ancients. But what he has mixed of his 
** own with theirs is no way inferior to what he has 
«< taken from them. It is not flatter^' at all to fay, diat 
•* Virgil had wiitten nothing fo good at his Age. His 
** Preface is very judicious and learned." letter to 
Mr. Wycherley, Apr. 1705. The Lord Lanfdown 
about the fame time, mentioning the youth of our 
Poet, fays (in a printed Letter of mc Chara£ler of Mr. 
Wycherley), " that if he goes on as he has begun in 
*' his Paftoral way, as Virgil firft tiied his ftrenm, we 
** may hope to fee Englifh Poetry vie with the Ro- 
** man,'' «c. Notwithftandingtheeai'lytimeof thdr 
production, the Author efteemed thefe as the moft cor- 
re^ in the vcriification, and mufical in the numbert) 
of all his works. The reafon for his labouring them 
into fo much foftnefs, was, doubtlefs, that this fort of 
poetiy derives almolt its whole beauty from a natural 
eafe of thought and fmoothnefs of vcrfe j whereas that 
of moft other kinds confifts in the ftrength and fullnefs 
of both. . In a letter of his to Mr. Walfh about this 
time, we find an enumeration of feveral niceties in 
Verfjfication, which perhaps have never been ftriftlv 
obferved in any Englifli poem, except in thefe Paf- 
torals, They were notpnnted till 1709. 



A 

DISCOURSE 

O N 

PASTORAL POETRY*. 

THERE are not, I believe, a greater nurpb-tr 
of any fort of veries than of thofe which ars 
called Paftorals ; nor a fmaller, than of thcle which i:^ 
truly fo. It therefore feems neceiTary to give fcm* ac- 
count of this kind of Poem, and it is my del^gn to com- 
prize in this fhort paper the fubftance cf thofe r.uir.erc«j i 
diflertations the Critics have made on the fubject, v.-irh',it 
omitting any of their rules in my ovm favour. You will 
alfb find fbme points reconciled, about which rhey i.':m 
to diffin*, and a few remarks, which, I think, have efcip- 
cd their obfervation . 

The original of Poetry h afcribed to that Age which 
fucceeded the creation of the world : and a* the ketpinrr 
of flocks feems to have been the firft employm^mt of 
mankind, the moft ancient fort of Poetry was pro- 
bably Paftoral f. It is natural to imagine, that the 
leifure of thoie ancient fhepherds admitting and invit- 
ing feme diverfion, none was fo proper to that folitary 

* Written at fixteen years of aa:e. 
-|- Fontenelle's Difc. on Paftomls. 

Vol. I. C an.i 



iS A DISCOURSE 

and fedentary life as Tinging ; and that in their fongs 
tliey took occafion to celebrate their own felicity. From 
hence a Poem was invented, and afterwards * -^roved 
to a perfeft image of that happy time j which, by giv- 
ing us an efteem for the virtues of a former age, might 
recommend them to the prcfent. And fmce the life of 
fhepherds was attended with more tranquillity than 
any other iival employment, the Poets ckoie to in- 
troduce their Perfons, from whom it received the name 
of Paftoral. 

A Paftoral » an imitation of the a£Hon of a /hep- 
herd, or one confidered under that character. The 
form of this imitation is dramatic, or narrative, os 
mixed of both ♦ } the fable fimple, the manners not 
too polite nor too ruftic : the thoughts ai^ plain» yet 
admit a little quicknefs and paffion, but that ihort 
and flowing : the expreilion humble, yet as ptm as the 
language will afford; neat, but not florid j eafy, and 
yet lively. In fhort, the fable, manners, thoughts, and 
exprcfTions, are full of the greateft fimplicity m natufc. 

The complete charafler of this Poem confifts in 
iunplicity f , brevity, and delicacy ; the two firft of whicb 
render an Eclogue natural, and the laft delightful. 

If we would copy Nature, it may be uieful to take tliiS' 
idea along with us, that Paibral is an image of what ^bef 
call the Golden Age. So that we are not to defcidbe our 
ihcpherds as fhepherds at this day really a»». hut a»tlie]F 

♦ Heinfius in Theocr. 

t Rapin, de Cam* Paft. p. i. 

mtsf 



ON PASTORAL POETRY. 19 

nafht conceived then to have been $ vtbien the beft of 
men followed the employment. To carry thi« rt/em- 
blancc y.t further, it w-ould not be amifs to give thefe 
fhepherds fome Hull in a(bronomy, as far as it may bj nft- 
fill to that fort of life. And an air of pictj- to the Gods 
ihould (hine through the Po£m, which fo vifibly app^trs 
in all the wprks of antiquity : and it ought to prcferve 
fome relifh of the old way of v/riting ; the connection 
fhould be loofe, the narrations and defcnptions (hcrt ♦, 
and the periods concife. Yet it is not fufHcient, that the 
fentences only be brief} the whole Eclogue fhould be fo 
too. For we cannot fuppofe Poetry in thofc days to have 
been the bufinefs of men, but their recreation at vacant 
hours. 

Bat with rcfpeft to the prefent age, nothing more con- 
duces to make thefe compofures natural, than when fome 
Knowledge in rural aifairs is difcovered f . This may be 
made to appear rather done by chance than on def gn, and 
Sometimes is beft (hewn by inference ; left by too much 
fhidy to firem natural, we deftroy that eafy fimplicity 
from whence arifes the delight. For what is inviting in 
this fort of poetry proceeds not fo much from the Idea of 
that bufi&efsy as the tranquillity of a country life. 

We muft therefore ufe fome illufion to render a Paf- 
Xoral delightful ; and this confifts in expofmg the beft fide 
otdy of a ihepherd^s life, and in concealing its miferies |. 

* Rapin, Reflex, fur T Art Poet. d'Arift. p. a. Reflex. 
xvii. 

t Pref. to Virg. Paft. in Dryd. Virg. 
X Fontenelle's Difcr of Paftorals. 

C % ^w 



»o A DISCOURSE 

Nor is it enough to introduce ihepherds dircourfing toge<- 
ther in a natural way ; but a regard muft be had to the 
fubjeft 5 that it contain fome particular beauty in itfelf, 
and that it be different in every Eclogue. Befides, in 
each of them a defigned fcene or profpeft is to be prc- 
fented to our view, which (hould likewife have its va- 
riety*. This variety is obtained in a great degree by 
frequent comparifons, drawn from the moft agi^eeable 
obje6ls of the country j by interrogations to things in- 
animate ; by beautiful digrefHons, but thofe fhort j fome- 
times by infifting a little on circumflances ; and, laftly, 
by elegant turns on the words, which render the numbers 
extremely fweet and pleafmg. As for the numbers them- 
felvcs, though they are properly of the heroic meafure, 
they Ihould be the fmootheft, the moft eafy and flowing 
imaginable. 

It is by rules like thefe that we ought to judge of Paf- 
toral. And fmce the inftru^lions given for any art are 
to be delivered as that art is in perfeftion, they muft of 
neccfiity be derived from ihofe in whom it is acknow- 
ledged fo to be. It is therefore from the praAice of 
Theocritus and Virgil (ihe only undifputed authors 
of Paftoral) that the Critics have drawn the foiiego- 
ing notions concerning it. 

Theocritus excells all others in nature and HmpH- 
city. The fubje^Vs of his Idyllia are purely paftoral ; 
but he is not fo exaft in his perfons, having introduced 
reapers f and fiihermen as well as ihepherds. He is apt 

* Sec the forementioned Preface. 

t 0LF1ZTAI, Idyl. X. and ameu. Idyl, xxi. 

to 



ON PASTORAL POETRY. « 

to be too long in his defcriptions, of which that oif the 
Cup in the firft Paftoral is a remarkable inftance. In 
the manners he feems a little defeftive, for his fwains 
are (bmedmes abufive and immodeft, and perhaps too 
much inclining to rufticity ; for inftance, in his fourth 
and fifth Idyllia. But it is enough that all others learned 
their excellence from him, and that his Diale£l alone has 
a fecret charm in it, which no other could ever attain. 

Virgil, who copies Theocritus, refines upon his ori- 
ginal : and in all points, where judgment is principally 
concerned, he is much fuperior to his maftcr. Though 
fome of his fubje^ are not pafloral in themielves, but 
only feem to be fuch ; they have a wonderful variety in 
them, wluch the Greek was a ftranger to *. He exceerU 
him in reg^ularity and brevity, and falls ihort of him in 
nothing but fimplicity and propriety of ftyle ^ the firf( of 
which perhaps was the fault of his age, and the lalt of 
his language. 

Among the modems, their fuccefs has been greatc(^ 
who have moft endeavoured to make thefe ancients thtir 
pattern. The moft confiderable Genius appears in rhe 
funous TafTo, and our Spenfer. Taifo in his Aminta 
has as far excelled all the Paftoral writers, a<i in 
his Giemfalemme he has outdone the Epic poet^ of hl» 
country, fiut as his piece feems to have been the origi- 
nal of a new fort of poem, the Paftoral Comedy, in 
Italy» it cannot fo well be conddered as a copy of the 

• Rapin, Refl. on Arift. part ii. Refl. xxvii.— Prcf. 
to the £cl. in Diyden's Virg. 

C 3 ancienti. 



24 AOlSCOURSfi 

ancients. Spenfer*s Calendar, in Mr. Dryden^s opi- 
nion, is the moft complete work of this kind which any 
nation has produced ever fince the time of Virgil *. Not 
but that he may be thought imperfe^l in fome few points. 
His Eclogues are fomewhat too long, if we compare 
them with the ancients. He is fometimes too allegori- 
cal, and treats of matters of religion in a paftoral ftyle, 
as the Mantuan had done before him. He has employ- 
ed the Lyric meafure, which is contrary to the praAice 
of the old Poets. His ftanza is not ftill the fame, nor 
always well chofen. This laft may be the reafon his ex- 
preiTion is fometimes not concife enough : for the Te- 
traftic has obliged him Uf extend his fenfe to the lengdi 
of four lines, which would have been more dofely con- 
iined in the Couplet. 

In the manners, thoughts, and chara6bers, he comes 
near to Theocritus himfelf ; though, notwithftanding 
all die care he has taken, he is certainly inferior in his 
Dialed : For the Doric had its. beauty and propriety in 
the time of Theocritus ; it was ufed in part of Greece^ 
and frequent in the mouths of many of the greateft per- 
>(bns : whereas the old Englifh and country phraies of 
Spenfer were either entirely obfolete, or fpoken only by 
people of the loweft condition. As there is a difierenoe 
betwixt fimplicity and rufticity, {o the expreflion of 
fimple thoughts fliould be plain, but not clownifli. Tht 
addition he has made of a Calendar to his Eclogues, is 
Very beautiful j fince by this, befides the general moral of 

^ Dedication to Viig* Ed* 

innocencf 



ON PASTORAL POETRY. zi 

innocence and fimplidty, iniuch is ccrmnion to oditr m- 
tliors of Paftoral, he has one pscjjiax to kiaiitif ^ he 
compares human Life to the fercrd Stzioz.t^ anc :* ct.-?- 
expofes to his readers a r-cvr of iht '^thi t:*:: .■:"^ 
worlds, in their \-ariou5 chanrts and afpifts. "iV: • • 
fcrupulous di^iiion of his F aft orals i.To Mcrth:, r.Lv 
obliged him either to repeat The fane dt^'rriptio: , i- ct: ^•- 
words, for three months together j or, when it "WLi t^:- 
haufted before, entirely to omit it : whence i: ccmes t9 
pafs thatfomeof hisEclognes (as the£x*J:, eighth, tzi 
tenth, for example) have nothlr^ but thdr TiL.=-s :o 
diliinguiih them. The reafon is evident, btczzifc tc? 
year has not that variety in it to fiirniih every m.r.tli 
with a particular defcription, as it may o'ery fesfcn. 

Of the following Eclogues I fhail only far, ihit 
thcfe four comprehend all the fubjecls which the Cri- 
tics upon Theocritus and Virgil wili allow to be r.i icr 
paftoral : That they have as much variety' of de.cription, 
in refpeft of the feverai fealons, as Spenfers : Tliit, 
in order to add to this variety, the fevcral times of the 
day are obferved, the rural emplox-ments in each fcifon 
or time of day, and the rural f cenes or places proper to 
fuch employments ; not witliout fome regard to the 
feverai ages of man, and the different paflions proper to 
each age. 

But after all, if they have any merit, it is to be 
attributed to fome good old Authors, whofe works as 
I had leifure to fhidy, fo, I hope, I have not warned 
care to imitate. 

Ca spring. 



t »5 ] 

SPRING. 

THE 

FIRST PASTORAL, 

O R 

DAMON. 

TO SIR WILLIAM TRUMBAL. 

T^ I R S T in thefe fields I try the fylvan ftrains, 
-■■ Nor blufh to fport on Windfor's blifsfiil plains t 
Fair Thames, flow gently from thy facred fpringy 
While on thy banks Sicilian Mufes (ing ; 
Let vernal airs thnmgh ti-embling ofiers play, $ 

And Albion's cliffs refound the rural lay. 

You that, too ynCe for pride, too good for power. 
Enjoy the glory to be great no more. 
And, carrying with you all the world can boaft. 
To all the world illuftrioufly are loft ! la 

O let my Mufe her flender reed infpire. 
Till in your native ihades you tune the lyre : 
So when Ihe Nightingale to reft removes. 
The Thnifli may chant to the forfaken groves. 
But charmM to filence, liftens while (he (ings, I5 

And all th' aerial audience clap their wings. 

Soon as the flocks (hook off the nightly dews. 
Two Swains^ whom Love kept wakeful, and the Mufe, 

Pour'd 



a6 POPE'SPOEMS. 

PourM o'er the whitening vale their fleecy care, 
Efcfh as the morn, and as the feaibn fair : 
The dawn now bliifliing on the mountain's fide, 
7hu8 Daphnis fpoke, and Strephon thus reply'd. 

D APHNIS. 

Hear how the birds, on every bloomy fpra'y. 
With joyous mufic wake tJie dawning day ! 
Why fit we mut2, when early linnets fiag, 
Whdh warbling Philomel falutes the fpring ? 
Why fit we fad, when Phofphor C)ines fp qlear. 
And laviih Natui'e paints the purple year ? 

ST RKPHOV. 

Smg tiieii^ and Darxm ftiaU aitewi tke ftrain, 
Whil^ yon" flow oxen turn die ftirrow'd plain. 
Here the bright crocus and blue violet glow ; 
Here weflem winds on breathing ro^ blow. 
I'll ftake yon' lamb, diat near the fountain plsys^ 
An4^ from tke brink bis dancing tiAde fiarvejt. 

D APH NIS. 

And, I tbb bowl, where wanton iry twines. 
And fwelling clufters beiKi the curling vines : 
Four figures rifing from the work appeal*. 
The various ieafons of the rolliag year ; 
And what is that, which bimls the radiant Iky, 
Where tvvehrc £aur figns in beanteous ordei* lie ? 

VARIATIOVt. 

Ver. 34- The Arft reading was. 

And his own image from the bank furveys* 
Vcr. }6. And cluftei-s lurk beneath the curling vinei 



^ASTORALL ^ 

DAUO%. 

ng by turns^ \sj tsrBS Tsjt MstfBi 'jm^ 
thorns bloflbin» ram Vkt i^iAek ^br«^ 
» the trees, a&d flcivtn ic^crv 'tut ^oaflit^ 
: Talcs ihaii ertrr astt t^j-^jott. 

ST E.£PHC t, 

me, Phoebus, is sir I>etia. ; ynv>^ 4^ 

liler^s ftrains, cr Gnos^ue t aA«.0^ la^^' 
/hue boll (haK a? Tfiisgr aJcan iaoA^ 
ats a fight, asd i^eras ^ faio^ raaij^ 

J ! for Sylvia Ist ve. pad 4e ^«^ 

e my tong»K r'-^ecwsi, *i L*r f^ w- ; >• 

; or flicep for t^ s» IT istfor^ 

m, Lofe, ILsi^ be i!se A/epbes^^toar. 

itle 0elia beciw&t I'-^c: tbt ^-latx, 

1 in ihades, elopes bcr f:it^ fvsk: $ 

s a langh, to £% ok lezrcr tronm^, 5$ 

hat lai^ ibe vx!5]£g filr b ifMsA* 

DAPHIEIf. 

rightly Syivia trips aion^ ti» grew, 
but hopes ihe cbes sict rj3 xsxSeaa i 
iind glance at bcr purfutr £3es» 
;h at vanaace are her feet and eyes ! ^ 

VARIATION'S. 

Originally thus io tht MS. 
t my numbers equal Strephon's layf, 
ian fbne thy ftatue will 1 raife ; 
I conquer and augment my fold, 
aiian ttatuc (ball be changM to gold. 



St POPE'S POEMS. 

STREPHON. 

O'er golden fands let rich Paflolus flow, 
And trees weep amber on the banks of Po 5 
Bleft^TKames's fhores the brighteft beauties yield, 
Feed here my lambs, I^'ll feek no diftant field, 

D APH NIS. 

Ccleftial Venus haunts Idalia's groves j 
Diana Cynthus, Ceres Hybla loves : 
If Windfor (hades delight the matchlefs maid, 
Cynthus and Hybla yield to Windfor-fhade. 

STREPHON. 

All nature mourns, the ikies relent in fhowers, 
HuftiM are the birds, and closM the drooping flower 
If Delia fmile, the flowers begin to fpring. 
The ikies to brighten, and the birds to ilng. 

DA 
VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 61. It ftood thus at fii-ft : 

Let rich Iberia golden fleeces boail, 

Her purple wool the proud AfTyrian coail, 

Bleft Thames's ihores, &c. 

Ver. 61. Originally thus in the MS. 

Go, flowery wreath, and let my Sylvia know. 
Compared to thine how bright her beauties (how t 
Then die 5 and dying, teach the lovely maid 
How foon the brighteft beauties are decay'd. 

D APHNIS. 

Go, tuneful bird, that pleas'd the wood$ fo long» 
Of Amaryllis learn a fweeter fong : 
To Hcav'n arifing then her notes convey. 
For Heav'n alone is worthy fuch a lay. 



PASTORAL I. %^ 

D APH NIS. 

All nature laughs, the groves are frefli and fair, 
^ The fun's mild luftre warms the vital air 5 
If Sylvia fmiles, new glories gild the ihore, 7^ 

And vanquiihM nature feems to charm no more. 

STREPHON. 

In fpring the fields, in autumn hUIs I love. 
At mom the plains, at noon the fhady grove. 
But Delia always j abfent from her fight. 
Nor plains at mom, nor groves at noon delight. Zm 

D APHNIS. 

Sylvia 's like autumn ripe, yet mild as May, 
More bright than noon, yet frefh as early day 5 
E'en fpring difpleafes, when fhe fhines not here ; 
But, blefs'd with her, 'tis fpring throughout the year. 

STREPHON. 

Say, Daphnis, fay, in what glad foil appears, 85 
A wondrous Ti*ee that facred Monarchs bears ; 
Tell me but this, and I'll dilcia'm the prize. 
And give the conqueft to thy Sylvia's eyes. 

DAPHNIS. 

Nay, tell me firfl, in what more happy fields 
The Thiftle fprings, to which the Lily yields : 90 

% And 

VARIATIONS. 

Vcr. 69. &c. Thefe verfes were thus at firft : 
All nature mourns, the birds their fongs deny. 
Nor waflcd brooks the tbirlty fiowers iupply j 
If Delia fmile, the flowers begin to fpring. 
The bixwks to murmur, and the birds to f ng. 



,i P O P E*S P OE M S. 

Hear what from Love unpi"a£tis'd hearts endure. 
From Love, the fole difeafe thou canft not cure. 

Ye fliady beeches, and ye cooling ftreams, 
Defence from Phoebus', not from Cupid's beams. 
To you I moum, nor to the deaf I fing, , 15 

The woods fhall anfwer, and their echo ring. 
The hills and rocks attend my doleful lay. 
Why art thou prouder and more hard than they ? 
The bleating iheep with my complaints agree, 
They parchM with heat, and I inflam'd by thee. 20 
The fultry Sirius bums the thirfty plains. 
While in thy heait eternal winter reigns. 

Where ftray ye, Mufes, in what lawn or grcnrey 
While your Alexis pines in hopelefs love ? 
In thofe fair fields where facred Ifis glides, »5 

Or elfe where Cam his winding vales divides ? 
As in the cryftal fpring I view my face, 
Frefh riling bluflies paint the watery glafs 5 
But fmce thofe graces pleafe thy eyes no more, 
I fhun the fountains which I fought before. 30 

Once I was Ikill'd in every herb that grew. 
And eveiy plant that drinks the morning dew 5 
Ah, wretched Ihcpherd, what avails thy art. 
To cure thy lambs, but not to heal thy heart 1 



Let 



VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 27. 

Oft in the cryftal fpring I caft a view. 
And er^uard Hylas, if the glafs be true 5 
But fince thofe giaces meet my eyes no morey 
I fliun, &c. 



P A S T O R A L n. 

Let other fwains attend the nnl care, ^ ^ 

Feed hirer flocks, or richer fleeces iheer : 
But nigh yon" mountain let me tunc wsf lays, 
Embrace my Lore, and bind my brows with bayi. 
That flute is mine which Coba't tnaeliil beeark 
InCpifd when living, and be(|aeath*d m death ; a.-. 

He faid ; Alexis, take this pipe, die fine 
That taught the groves ny Bnfeinwb's naiae : 
But now the reeds iiall haag on yonder tsc. 
For ever filent, iince de^'d by thee. 
O i were I made by faae traasfefing pj w u 4,? 

The capdve bird that fings widun thy bo wu * 
Then might my Toice diy iiAeaiBg can employ. 
And I thofe kifles he icceifcs enjoy. 

And yet my munbcn plealc the nini thiong. 
Rough Satyrs dance, and Pan applauds fSt€ ioBg : 50 
The Nymphs, fbiidung every cave and fpnog. 
Their eariy fruit and milk-white turtles bring I 
Each amorous nymph pikers her gifts in vaiD, 
On you their gifts are all beftow'd again. 
For you the fwains the faireft flowers defign, 5 5 

And in ope garland all their beauities ioin ; 
Accept the wieath which you defcrve aiooe. 
In whom all beauties are comprized in one. 

See what delights in fyivan fcenes appear ! 
Defcending Gods have found Elyiium here. 60 

In woods bright Venus with Adonis ftray'd. 
And chafle Diana haunts the foreft fliade. 
Come, lovely nymph, and blefs the iilent hours. 
When iWains from flicering feck dicir nightly bo>wers ; 

Vot. I. I> When 



34 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

When wcaiy reapers quit the foltry field. 
And crowned widi com thdr dnnks to Ceres yield. 
This harmlefs gro^e no lurking viper hides. 
But in my hreaft the ferpent Love abides. 
Here bees from bloffimis fip the rofy dew. 
But your- Alexis knows no fweets but you. 
Oh deign to vifit our forfaken ieats. 
The mofly fountains, and the green retreats ! 
Wherever you walk, cool gales fliall fan the glade. 
Trees, where you (it, fiiall croud into a (hade x 
Where'er you tread, the bkdhing flowers (hall rife, 
And all things flouri(h where you turn your eyes. 
Oh ! how I long with you to pafs my days. 
Invoke the Mufes, and refound your praife ! 
Your praife Ae birds (hall chant in every grove. 
And winds (hall waft it to the powers above. 
But would you (ing, and rival Orpheus* ftrain. 
The wondering forefts foon (hould dance a^n. 
The moving mountains hear the powerful call. 
And headlong ftreams hang liftening in their fall ! 
But fee, the ihepherds (hun the noon -day heat. 
The lowing herds to murmuring brooks retreat. 
To clofer (hades the panting flocks remove ; 
Ye gods ! and is there no relief for Love ? 

yARIATION. 

Vtr. 79^ 80. 
Your prai(e the tune^l birds to heaven (hall bear, 
An4 hftening wolves grow milder as they hear. 
So the verfes were orieinally written : But die autli 
young as he was, foon found the abfurdity, which Sn 
iq- himielf ovtrlookedi of introducing wolves into £1 






p, /^VJV»^- 



A =U T U M N. 

THE 

THIRP PASTORAL, 

OR 

H y L A S and JE G O K 



TO MR, WYCHERLEY.. 

BENEATH the (hade a fpreading beech difplays, 
Hylas and wffigon fung their rural lays : 
This moum'd a faithlefs, that an abfent love ; 
And Delia's name and Doiis' fill'd the grove. 
Ye Mantuan nymphs, your faci-ed fuccom* bring } 5 
Hylas and Agon's rural lays I fmg. 

Thou, whom the Nine with Plautus' wit infpire. 
The art of Terence and Menander's fire j 
v^Whofe fenfe inftrufls us, and whofe humour charms, 
Whofe Judgment fways us, and whofe fpirit warms ! i« 
Oh, fkiird in Nature ! fee the hearts of Swains, 
Their artleis pafllons, and their tender pains. 
Now fetting Phoebus flione ferenely bright, 
And fleecy clouds were ftreak'd with purple light $ 
"When tuneful Hylas, with melodious moan, 15 

Taught rocks to weep, and made the mountains groan. 

06, gentfe l^les, and bear my fighs away 1 
To DeUa's csu: the tender notes convey. 

At 



PAStORALfil- 37 

As fome fad Turtle bis loft love deplores. 
And with deep murmufd fills the founding ihom $ to 
Thus» far from Delia, to the winds I mouniy 
.\iike unheard, unpity'd, and forlorn^ 

Go, gentle galeSj and hear my fighs along ! 
For her, the feathered quires negleft their ibng : 
For her, the limes their ^ekfmg fhades deny ; 25 

For her, the lilies hang their heads, and die. 
Ye flowers that droop, forfaken hy the fpring^ 
Ye birds that, left by fummcr, ceafe to (ing, 
Ye trees that fiulc when autumn heats remove. 
Say, is not abfence death to thofe who love { 30 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs away I 
Curs'd be the fields that caufe my Delia's ftay } 
Fade every bloflbm, wither every tree. 
Die every flower, and perifli all, btit (he* 
What have I faid } where'er my Delia flies, 3^ 

Let fpring attend, and fudden flowei*s arffe t 
Let opening rofes knotted oaks adorn. 
And liquid amber drop from every thorn. 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my fighs along! 
The birds (ball ceafe to tune their evening ibng, 4.0 
The winds to breathe, the waving woods to move, 
And ftreams to murmur, ere I ceafe to love. 
Not bubbling fountains to the thii*fty fwain. 
Not balmy fleep to labourers faint with pain, 
Not (bowers to larks, or fun-fhine to the b«e, 45 

Are half (b charming as thy fight to me. 

D 3 Go, 



^8 I^C P E'S POEMS. 

Go, gentle gales, and bear my $ghs away ! . 
Come, Delia, come ; ah, why ^s long delay ? 
Through rocks and caves the name of Delia founds ; 
Delia, each cave and echoing rock rebounds. 50 

Ye powers, what pleaiing iiienzy fooths my mind ! 
Do lovers dream, or is my Delia kind ? 
She comes, my Delia comes 1— Now ceafe my lay. 
And ceafe, ye gales, to bear my fighs away ! 

Next JEgon ftmg, while Windfor groves admirM j 5 5 
Kehearfe, ye Mufes, what yourfelves infpir*<i. 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful ftrain I 
Of perjurM Doris, dying I complain : 
Here where the mountains, leflening as they riie, 
Lofe the low vales, and fteal into the fldes $ . 60 

While labouring oxen, fpent with toil and heat. 
In their loofe traces from the field retreat : 
While cxu-ling fmoaks from village-tops are fecn, 
' And the fleet (hades glide o'er the duiky green. 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful lay ! 65 
Beneath yon' poplar oft we paft the day : 
Oft' on the rind I carv'd her amorous vows. 
While fhe with garlands hung the bending boughs : 
Hie garlands fade, the vows are worn away j 
So dies her love, and fo my hopes decay. 70 

Re. 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 48. Originally thus in the MS. 
With him through Lib3ra's burning plains I'll go> 
On Alpine mountains tread th' eternal fnow ; 
Yet feel no heat but what our loves impart. 
And dread no coldnefs but in Thyriis' heart.. 



PASTORAL ni* « 

kefoundy ye hills, refound my mournful ftrain ! 
Kovif bright Arflurus glkds the tieming grain> 
Now golden fruits on loaded branches fhine. 
And grateful clufters fwell with floods of Inrine ; 
Now blufhing beh-ies paint the yellow grove j 75 

Juft gods ! ihall all things yield returns but love ! 

Reibundy ye hills, refoUnd my mournful lay ! 
The (hepherds cry, " Thy flocks are left a prey/' 
Ah ! what avails it me, the flocks to keep. 
Who loft my heart while I prefervM my fheep. So 

Pan came, and aikM, what magic caused my imart. 
Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart f 
What eyes but hers, dlas, have power to move ? 
And is there magic but what dwells in love I 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mournful ftrains ! 85 
I'll fly frota fliepherds, flocks, and flowery plains. 
From fliepherds, flocks, and plains, I may remove, 
^orfake maiikind, and all the world— but love ! 
I know th6e. Love ! on foreign mountaiiis bred. 
Wolves gave thee fuck, and favage tigers fed. 90 

Thou wert firam J9Etna*s burning entrails torn. 
Got by fierce whirlwinds, and in thunder bom 1 

Refound, ye hills, refound my mouiiiful lay ! 
Farewell, ye woods, adieu the light of day ! 
One leap from yonder cliff fliall end my pains« 95 

No more, ye hills, no more refound my flrains ! 

Thus fung the fliepherds till th' approach of night. 
The flues yet blufliing with departing lights 
When falling dews with fpangles deck'd the glade, 
And the low fun had lengthened every fliade. 100 

D 4 WINTER, 



4S P O P E'S P O E M 8. 

Her nsime with pleaftire once flie taught the fliore^ 
Now Daphne \ dead, and Pleafure ia no more \ 

No grateful dews defcend from evening ikies» 4 j 
Nor morning odours from the flowers arife j 
No rich perfumes refrefh the fruitful field. 
Nor fragrant herbs their native incenfe yield. 
The balmy Zephyrs, filent iince her death. 
Lament the ceafmg of a Tweeter breath $ 5^ 

Th' induftrious bees negle^ their golden ftere I 
Fair Daphne's dead, and Sweetnefs is no more! 

No more the mounting larks, while Daphne fings. 
Shall, liftening in mid air, fufpend their wings ) 
No more the birds ihall imitate her lays, 55 

Or, huih^d with wonder, hearken from the iprays : 
No more the ftreams their murmurs ihall forboar, 
A fweeter mufic than their own to hear ^ 
But tell the reeds, and tell the vocal ihore, 
Fair Daphne 's dead, and Mufic is no more ! 66 

Her fate is whifper'd by the gentle breeze, 
And told in fighs to all the trembling trees | 
The trembling ti*ees, in every plain and wood^ 
Her fate remurmur to the iilver flood : 
The iilver flood, fo lately calm, appears 65 

Sweird with new paflion, and overflows with tears ; 
The winds and trees and floods her death deplore. 
Daphne, our gi'ief 1 oiur glory now no more ! 

But fee ! where Daphne wondering mounts on high 
Above the clouds, above the ftarry flcy i 70 

Eternal beauties grace the fliining fcene, 
Fields ever frefli, and groves for ever green ! 

There 



PASTORAL IV. 43 

There while yop reft in Amaranthine bowers. 
Or from thoie meads fele^ unfading flowers. 
Behold us kindly, who your name implore, 75 

Daphne, our Goddefs, and our giief no more 1 

L YCID AS* 

How all tilings liften, while thy Mufe complains ! 
Such filence waits on Philomela^s ftrains. 
In fome ftill evening, when the whiipering breeze 
Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees. So 

To thee, bright goddefs, oft a lamb fhall bleed, 
If teeming ewes increafe my fleecy breed. 
While plants their fliade, or dowel's their odours give. 
Thy name, thy honour, and thy praife, fliall live ! 

,TH YR SIS. 

But fee, Orion (beds unwholefome dews ; %$ 

Arife, the pines a noxious (}^e diflufe ; 
Sharp Boreas blows, and Nature feels decay. 
Time conquers all, and we muft Time obey. 
Adieu, ye vales, ye mountains, ftreams, and groves, 
Adieu, ye fliepherds' rural lays and loves ; 90 

Adieu, my flocks $ farewell, ye fylvan crew j 
Daphne, farewell ; and all the world adieu I 

MES- 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 83. Originally thus in the MS. 
While vapours rife, and driving fnows defcend, 
Thy honour, name, and praife, fliall never end. 

NOTE. 

Ver. 89, &c.] Thefe four laft lines allude to the 
ieveral fubjefts of the four Paftorals, and to thefeveral. 
fcenes of them particularized before in each. 



\ 



MESSIAH. 



SACRBD ECLOGUE, 



IH IMITATtON OP 



VIRGIL'S P O L L I O. 



Advertifcment. 

IN reading feveral parages of the prophet Ifaiah, 
which foretell the coming of Chrift, and the felici- 
ties attending it, I could not but obferve a remarkable 
parity between many of the thoughts, and thofe in the 
Pollio of Virgil. This will not Cptm furprifing, when 
we refle^^y that the Eclogue was taken from a Sibylline 
prophecy on the fame fubjef^. One may judge that Vir- 
gil did not copy it line for line $ but fele^ed (uch ideas 
as beft agteed with the nature of paftoral poetry, and 
difpofed &em in that manner which ferved moft to beau- 
tify his piece. I have endeavoured the fame in this imi- 
tation of him, tho^h without admitting any thing of 
my own 5 fince it was written with this particular view, 
that the readerj by comparing fhe[ feveral thbughts, 
might fee how far the images and defcriptions of the 
Prophet are fuperior to thofe of the Poet. But as I fear 
I have prejudiced them by my management, I ihall fub- 
join the paflages of Ifaiah, and thofe of Virgil, under 
the (ame diiadvantage of a litend tranflatioa. 



[ 47 ] 

MESSIAH. 

. SACRED ECLOGUE, 

IN IMITATION OF VIRGILS POLLIO. 

"V £ Nymphs of Solyma ! begin the fong : 
*' To heavenly themes fublimer ibains belong. 
Hie moffy foiuitains^ juid the fylvan ihades. 
The dreams of Puidus and th* Aonian maids* 
Delight no more— O thou my voice inipire 5 

Who touchM liaiah's hallowM lips with fire ! 

Rapt into future times, the Bard begun : 
A Virgin ihall conceive, a Virgin bear a Son ! 

From 

IMITATIONS. 

i^er. 8. A Virgin ftiall conceive— All crimes Ihall ceafe, 

&c.] Virg. Eel. iv. ver. 6. 
Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Satm'nia regna ; 
Jam nova progenies coelo demittitur alto. 
Tc duce, u qua manent fceleris veftigia noftri, 
Irrita perpetua folvent formidine teiTas— 
Pacatumque reget patriis virtutibus orbem. 

** Now the Virgin returns, now the kingdom of Sa- 

* turn returns, now a new progeny is fent down from 
' high heaven. By means or thee, whatever reliaues of 
' our crimes remam, (hall be wiped away, and free the 
' world from perpetual fears. He (hall govern the earth 

* in peace, with the virtues of his Father.'* 

Isaiah, 



^9 P P E'S P O E M S. 

From * Jefle's root behold a branch arife, 

Whofe facred flower with fragrance fills the Ikies : lo ■ 

Th' Ethereal fpirit o'er its leaves Ihall move, j 

And on its top defcends the myftic Dove. j 

Ye f Heavens ! from high the dewy neflar pour. 

And in foft filence ihed the kindly (hower ! 

The X ^ick andw^k th€ healing ][^ant fhall sud, 15 

From ftorms a fhelter, and from heat a (hade. 

All crimes Ihall ceafe, and ancknt frauds ihall ^1 1 

Returning § Juftice lift aloft her fcale ; 

Peace o*er the world her olive wand extend. 

And wfaite-robM Innocence from heaven defeemi, to 

Swift fly the year 4, and rife the expefled ittchm ! 

Oh fpring to light, tiufpicious Babe, be bom ! 

8ee Nature haftes her earlicft wreaths to bring. 

With all the incenfe of the breathing fprine : 

Sec 

IMITATIONS. 

Isaiah, Ch. vii. ver. 14. " Behold a Virgin (hall 

*' conceive and bear a Son.— Chap. ix. ver. 6, 7. Un-. 

'* to us a Child is bom ; unto us a Son is givei^ $ the 

•* Prince of Peace : of the increafe of his Kovernment, 

" and of his peace, there fliall be no cncT: Upon the 

*« throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order 

** and to eftablifti it, with judgment and with juflice, 

** for ever and ever.'* 

Ver. 23. See Nature haftes, 5^c.] Virg. Eel. iv. ver. 18. 
At tibi prima^t puer, nullo n^upufcula cultu, 
Errantes hedei'as paifim cum baccare tellus, 
Mixtaqi)e ndenti colpcafla tundet acantho-^ 
Ipfk tibi blandct fundent cuqabula flares. 

" For 
* Ifai. xi. ver. I. f Ch. xlv. vor. 8. % Ch, mv. 
v©r. 4. § Ch. ix. ver. 7, 



MESSIAH. 49 

Sec • lofty Let>anon his head advance, 45 

See nodding forefts on the mountains dance : 
See fpicy clouds from lowly Saron rife. 
And Caraicrs flowery top perfumes the ikies ! 
Hark ! a glad voice the lonely defert chears j 
Prepare the f way! a God, a God appears : 30 

A God, 

IMITAtlONS* 

** For thee, O Child, fhall the earth, without being 
" tilled, produce her early offerings ; winding ivy, mix- 
" ed with Baccar, and ColocaHia with fmihng Acan- 
" thus. Thy ciudle fhall pour forth pleafmg flowers 
" about thee." 

IsAiAHy Ch. xxxi. ver. 1. *« The wildemefs and the 
*' folitaiy place fhall be glad, and the defert fhall re- 
" joiceand bloffom as the rofe." Ch. Ix. ver. 13. " The 
«* glory of Lebanon fhall come unto thee, the fir-tree, 
" the pine-tree, and the box together, to beautify the 
" place of thy fanftuary." 

Ver. 29. Hark I a glad voice, &c. 
Virg. Eel. iv. ver. 46. 

Aggredere 6 magnos (aderit jam tempus) honores^ 
Cara dei^m foboles, magnimi Jovis incrementum— 
Eel. V. ver. 62. 

Ipfi Isedtift voces ad fidera ja£lant 
Intonfi inontes, ipfae jam carmina rupes, 
Ipfa fonant arbulta, Deus, Deus ille Menalcaf 

?* O come and receive the mighty honours : the time 
*< draws nigh, O beloved offspring of the Gods, O 
** great incHeafe of Jove I The uncultivated mountains 
" ftnd fhouts of joy to the flars, the very rocks fing in 
** verfe, the very fhrubs cry out, A God, a Godf* 

Isaiah, Ch. xl. ver. 3, 4. *« The voice of him that 
** tryeth in the wildemefs, Prepare ye the way of the 

* Ch. xxxv. ver. 2, f Ch. xl. ver. 3, 4^ 
Vol. I. E «Lordi 



50 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

A God, JuGod! the vocal hills reply, . 

The rocks proclaim th' apj^roaching Deify. 

Lo, earth receives him: frcim the binding fkies I 

Sink dowi), yt nBMintainf ; and ye vallies, rife 5 

With headsi decIiA'di, yc cedars, homage pay 5 35 

Se fmooth, yeirQck&; ye rapid floods, give way! 

The Sjqaour comes f by ancient bards foretold : 

Hear him, ye deaf } ami all ye blind, behold ! 

He irpm thick fihns flnll pnxge tfi« vifoal nty, 

And on the fightlefs eye-ball ponr the day: 40* 

^Tis h^ th' ob^ruf^ed paliis of foBnd iball clear. 

And bid new mufic charm th* nnfolding ear : 

The X dufxih fliill fing^ the lame his crutch, forego. 

And leap exulting like the bounding rot. 

No fighi no fflurmnr, the wide world fliall hear, 45 

Tvatt^ eveiy face he wipes off every tear. 

In § adamantine chains fhall Death be bound. 

And Hell's grim tyrant feel th* eternal wound. 

As the good II ihepherd tends his fleecy care. 

Seeks freflieft pafture, and the pm-eil air, 5^ 

Explores the loft, the wandering flieep dire£b, , 

By day o'eifees them, and by night prote^^ 

The. 

IMTTATIONS. 

•* Lord ! mike fliiu^t in the defert a high-way for our 
** God 4 Every valley fliall be exalted, and every moun- 
** tain and hill fliall be made low, and the crooked fliall 
•* be )»ade flratght, and the rou^ places plain.*' Ch. 
iv. ver. 13. *< Break forth into fin^g, ye moun- 
*f tains $ fbreft, and every tree therem ! for die Lord 
«< hadi redeemed Israel.** 

I Ch. xliii. ver. 18. Ch. xxxv. ver. 5, 6. § Ch* 
xxT. v«r. S. II Ch« xL ver. xx. 



M S S S I A H. 51 

Tht tender UmAs Ik taifcs in hit amf, ^ 

feeds fiom hii hwd» and in his bofom wanns ; 

Thus (hall mankind his guardian care engage, 55 

The pnimiaM * Udier of the Cutnre age. 

No more fliaU f nation againil nation nfe. 

Nor ardent warriors meet with hateful ejres. 

Nor fields with gleaming ieel be coverM o^er. 

The brazen trumpets kindle rage no moce ; ^9 

Jlut ufelefr lances into fcythes ifaall bendj 

And the broad iaulckion in a ploiw-fliare end* 

Then palaces ihall rife; the )0]iiurt Son 

Shall finifli what his fliort-Uv'd^ire begpn $ 

Their vines a fhadow to their race fhall yield, 65 

And the (ame hand that Xbw'di iball reap the field. 

The iwain in bantji ^ d^erts with fuqptriae. 

Sees lilies fpring, and fudden verdure rife ) 

And 

IMITATIONS. 

Ver. 67. The Twain in barren deierts]. Virg. E. iv. 
ver. a8. 

MoUi pauladm flavefcet caraput ainfti, 
Incukifque rubens pendebit fe ntibus uva : 
£t dvu'x qiiercus fudabunt rofcida mella. 
** The fields (hall grow yellow with ripened ears, and 
«» the red grape fhall hang upon the wild brambles, and 
«* the hard oaks fhall diflal honey like dew." 

Isaiah, Ch. xxxv. ver. 7. " The parched p-ound 
« fhall become a pool; and the thirfty land ibnngs of 
«« water : In the habitatibns where dragons lay, fhall 
*« be grafs, and reed^ and ruflies." C^. Iv. ver. 13. 
•* Infbad of the thorn fhall come up the fir-ti:ee, and 
** inftead of the briar fhall come up the myrtle-tree." 

• Ch. ix. ver. 6. f Ch. ii. ver. 4. J Ch. Jxv, 
ver. %i, 22. § Ch. xxxv; ver. j. 7. 
£ a 



51 P O P E'S P O EM S, 

And Aarts ^idft the thirfty wilds to hear 
New falls of water murmuring in his ean 70 

On rifted rocks, die dragon^s late abodes. 
The green reed trembles, and the bulrufh nods. 
Wafte fandy * valleys, once perplex'd with thorn. 
The fpiry fir and fhapely box adorn : 
To leaflefs ftirubs the flowery palms fucceed, 75 

. And odorouB myrtle to the noifome weed. 
The f lambs v^idi wolves fliall graie the verdant mead, 
i ** And boys ia flowery bands the tiger lead : 
*■■ The fteer and lion at one crib ihall meet. 

And karmlefs % ferpents-lick the pilgrim's feet. 80 

The 

41 IMITATIONS. 

Ver. 77. The lambs with wolves, Sec*"] Virg. E. ir. 
ver. ai. 
*• Ipfae lafte domum referent diftenta capellae 

Ubcra, nee magnos metuent armenta leones— 
Occidet et ferpens, et fallax herba veneni 
Occidet. — 
■ " The goats fliall bear to the fold their udders diT- 
'< tended with milk : nor (hall the herds be afraid of 
'' the greateft lions. The fcipent (hall die, and the 
** herb that conceals poifon Ihall die." 
* Isaiah, Ch. xi. ver. 6, &c. « The wolf fhall dwell 
*' with the lamb, and the leopard fliall lie down with 
" the kid, and the calf and. the young lion and the fat- 
*^ ling together ; and a little child fhall lead them.— And 
" the lion fhall eat fhaw like the ox. And the fucking 
** child fhall play on the hole of the afp, and the wean- 
** ed child fhall put his hand on the den of the cocka* 
" tiice.*^ 

• Ch* xli. ver. 19. and Ch. Iv. ver. 13. f Ch. xL 
ver. 6, 7, 8. X CK Ixv. ver. %^ 



MESSIAH. 53 

The fmiling infant in his hand ihall tike * 

The creited bafiiifk and fpeckled fnake, 

Pleas'd the green luftre of the f<:ale8 lurvey. 

And with their forky tongue ihall innocently play. 

Rife, crown'd with light, imperial * Salem rife ! ■ ^5 

Exalt thy towery head, and lift thy eyes ! 

See a long f race thy fpacious courts adorn j 

See future fons, and daughters yet imbom^ 

In erouding ranks on eveiy fide arife, 

Demanding life, impatient for the Ikies! 90 

See barbarous X nations at thy gates attend. 

Walk in thy light, and in thy temple bend ; 

See thy bright altars throng'd with proftrate kings. 

And heapM with produ6ls of § Sabxan fprings ! 

For thee Idume's fpicy forefts blow, 95 

And feeds of gold in Ophir's mountains glow. 

See heaven its fparkling portals wide difplay. 

And break upon thee in a flood of day ! 

No 

IMITATIONS. 

Ver. 85. Rife, crownM with light, imperial Salem^ 
life!] The thoughts of Ifaiah, which compofe the latter 
part of the poem, are wonderfully elevated, and much 
abd^e thofe general exclamations of Virgil, which make 
the loftieft part of his Pollio. 

Magnis ab integio faeclorum nafcitur ordo! 

«»toto furget gens aurea mundol 

•"•incipient magni procedere menfes ! 

Aipice, venturo Ixtentur ut omnia faeclo 1 &c. 

The reader needs only to turn to the paflages of 
Ifaiah^ here cited. 

• Ch. Ix. ver. i. f Ch, Ix, ver. 4, J Ch, k. 
vcr.'3« ^Ch. Ix. ver. 6. 
E3 



54 P O PE'S POEMS. 

No more the rifiag || Stin ftall gild the morn. 

Nor evening Cynthia fAl her filver horn ) loa 

But loft, diffbWM in thy ftiperior rays, 

One tide of glory, one ilnctouded blaze 

ererflo\)r fhy courts : ^e Light himfelf (hall fhine 

Revcard, and Ood's eterftal day be thine ! 

The ^ Teas ihall watfte^ the (kies im fmoke decay, ro5 

Kocks fall to daft, a^d mountains melt away | 

But fix*d his word, bis £a\4ng power remaiBB ; 

Thy realm for ei^ lafts, thy own Messiah reigns ! 

n Ch. fae. ier. f 9, 20. 

f Ch. li. ver, ^« and Ch. iiv. yer. »o* 



WINDSOR^ 



WINDSOR-FOREST. 



TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 



GEORGE LORD LANSDOWN. 



*' Non injufla cano : Te no(h*ae, Vare, myricae, 

*' Te Nemus omne canet : nee Phoebo gratior ulla eft, 

" Quam fibi quae Vari praefcripfit pagina nomen." 

ViRG. 



E* 



This Poem was written at two difFcrent times r the firft 
part of it, which relates to the country in the .yev 
3704> at the fame time with the Paftorals : the latter 
part was not added till the year 171 3> in wl^ch it 
was jpubliihed, 



[ 57 ] 

WI N D S O R-FO RE ST. 

' TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 

GEORGE LORD .LANSDOWN, 

THY forefts, Windfor! and thy green retreats. 
At once the Monarch's and the Mufe's feats. 
Invite my lays. Be prefent, fylvan maids ! 
Unlock your fprings, and open all your lhades» 
0ranyilIe commands ; your aid, O Mufes, bring! 5 
What Mufe for Granville can refufe to fjng ? 
The groves of Eden, vanifh'd now fo long. 
Live in defcription, and look green jn fong j 
Thefe, were my hr^aft infpir'd with equal flame, 
lAke then^ in beauty, ihould be like in fame. 10 

Here hills and vales, the woodland and the plain. 
Here earth and water feem to ftrive again $ 
Not Chaos-like together crufh'd and bruis'd. 
But, as the world, harmonioufly confusM : 
|¥here order in variety we fee, 15 

And where, though all things differ, all agree. 
Here waving groves a chequered fcene difplaji^ 
And part admit, and part exclude the day i 



As 



Variation. 



Ver* 3. &c. Originally thus, 

Chafte goddefs of the woods, 
lymphs of the vales, andNaiads of the floods, 
l^ead me thro' arching bow*r9^ and glimrn'ring glades^ 
Uwlock your fprings—- 



e^ POPE'S POEMS. 

The fields are ravifh'd from th' induftrious fwains, 65 
Fjx)m men their cities, and from Gods their fanes : 
The level'd towns with weeds lie covered o'er ; 
The hollow winds through naked temples roar ^ 
Kound broken columns clafping ivy twinM i 
O'er heaps of ruin ftalk^d the ftately hind 5 70 

The fox obfcenc to gaping tombs retires. 
And favage bowlings fill the facred quires. 
Aw'd by hie Nobles, by his Commons curft, 
Th* Oppreffor nil'd tyrannic where he durft, 
Stretch'd o'er the Poor and Church his iron rod, 7^ 
And ferv'd alike his Vaflals and his God. 
Whom ev*n the Saxon fpar'd, and bloody Dane, 
The wanton vi^lims of his fport remain. 
But fee, the man who fpacious regidns gave 
A wafte for beafts, himfelf deny'd a giave ! 80 

Stretch'd on the lawn his fecond hope furvey. 
At once the chacer, and at once the prey : 
Lo Rufus, tugging at the deadly dart, 
Bleeds in the foreft like a wounded hart. 
Succeeding monaixhs heard the fubjefis cries, S5 

Nor faw difpleas'd the peaceful cottage rife. 
Then gathering flocks on unknown mountains fed. 
O'er fandy wilds were yellow harvefts fpread. 
The forefls wondered at th' unufual grain. 
And fecret tnpa^rt touched the confcious fwain. 90 

Fair 

VARIATION. 

Vcr, 7*. And wolves with howling fill, &c.] 
The Author thought this an error, wolves not being 
common in Englawl at die time of the Conqueror, 



WINDSOR-FOREST. 61 

Fair Liberty* Britannia's Goddeis, reara 
Her chearfiil head, and leads the gulden yeajrs* 

Ye rigorous fwains ! while youth ferments your bloody 
And purer (pints (well the fprightly flood. 
Now range the hills, the gameful woods beiet, 95 

Wind the fluill horn, or fpi^ead the waving net. 
When milder autumn fummer's heat fucceeds. 
And in the new-ihom field the partridge feeds, ' 
Before his lord the ready ipaniel bounds. 
Panting with hope, he tries the furrow'd grounds s xoo 
But when the tainted gales the game betray, 
Couch'd clofe he lies, and meditates the prey : 
Secure they truft ih' unfaithful field befct. 
Till hovering o'er them fweeps the fwelling net. 
Thus (if fmall things we may with great compare) 105 
When Albion fends her eager fons to war. 

Some 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 91. 
Oh may no more a foreign mailer's rage, 
With wrongs yet legal, curfe a future age! 
Still fpread, fair Liberty ! thy heav'niy wings. 
Breathe plenty on the fields, and fragrance on the fprings, 

Ver. 97. 
When yellow autumn fummer's heat fucceeds. 
And into wine the purple harveft bleeds, 
The partridge feeding m the new-ihom fields, 
Both morning fpoits and evening pl^afure yields* 

Ver. 107. It ftood thus in the firil edition : 

Pleas'd, in the Generars fight, the hoit lie down 
Sudden before fome unfufpefting town 5 
;The youn^, the old, one inftant makes our pri^e, 
Ando^er weir captive heads Britannia's &andard.flic$« 



en. POP E*S POEMS. 

Whofe carej like her's, protects the fylvan urign^ 
The Earth's fair light, and Emprefs of the main. 

Here, too, *tis fung, of old Diana ftray'd, 165 

And Cynthns'top forfook for Windfor fhadef 
Here was fhe feen o'er airy waftes to rove, 
Seek the clear fpring, or haunt the pathlefs grove 5 
Here arm'd with filver bows, in early dawn. 
Her bufkin'd Virgins traced the dewy lawn. 170 

Above the reft a rural nymph was fam'd, 
Thy offspring, Thames ! the fair Lodona namM 
(Lodona's fate, in long oblivion caft. 
The Mufe (hall fing, and what Ihe fmgs fhall laft). 
Scarce could the Goddefs from her nymph be known^ 
But by the crefcent, and the golden zone. 
She fcom'd the praife of beauty, and the care; 
A belt her waift, a fillet binds her hair^ 
A painted quiver on her fhoulder founds. 
And with her dart the flying deer fhe wounds. i8o 

It chanc'd, as, eager of the chace, the maid 
Beyond the foreft's verdant limits ftray'd. 
Pan faw and lov'd,^ and burning with defire 
Purfued her flight, her flight increased his fire. 
Not half ib fwift the trembling doves can fly, 185 

When the fierce eagle cleaves the liquid fky j 
Not half fo fwiftly the fierce eagle moves. 
When through the clouds he drives the trembling doves i 
As from the God fhe flew with furious pace. 
Or as the God, more furious, urg'd the chace. 199 

Now fainting, finking, pale, the nymph appears $ 
Now dofe behind; his founding fteps (he hears j 

And 



And no^ hh flutdow reacVd her ai fhc itin, 

His ihadow hmgthenM by tlte fetdtig fiiii ; 

And now his flitnter brtath, \^ith fliltry air, 193 

Pants on her trcck, dnd fans her (Parting hair. 

In vain on father Thames flie calls fbt ili. 

Nor could Diatia help her ittjufd fnald. 

Faint, brwthtefs, thtls ihe pttfd, iior pray'd in vain ; 

** Ah, Cynthia ! ah— though haiiifh'd from thy train, 200 

** Let me, O let me, to the Aiades repaii*, 

" My native Shades — thetie ^eep, and murftur thci-e." 

She faid, aftd, meltlfig dS i^ tears (he lay. 

In a foft filvcr itream diflblv'd awajr. 

Thd filver AresfAi her virgin coldnefs keeps, 205 

For ever murmurs, arid for ever i^eeps ; 

Still bears tHef lianie the haple^ virgin bore, 

Aftd bs(&cs thfi forfeit where fhe ranged before. 

In her ch^€ ctftf efit oft fhe feoddefs l^es, 

Aftd with celeftial teai*s augments the waves. no 

Oft in her glafs the niufing fhepherd fpies 

The headlong mountains and the dov/nward iics. 

The watery Uhdfkip of the pendant woods. 

And abient trees that tirmble in the floods $ 

In fh% clear azure gleam the flocks are feen, 215 

And floating forefts paint the waves with green ; 

Through the fair fcene roll flow the lingering ffi?eams. 

Then foaiAirig pour along, and riifli into the Thames. 

Thou, too, great father of the Britifh floods ! 
With joyful pride furvey'ft o^r lofty woods f 220 

WhciT towering (Kiksf thdf gro^irtg honours natf. 
And kltate TiX^ii^ 611 fhy fhoi'es appear. 

Vol. t. f Not. 



66 POPE'SPOIJMS. 

Not Neptune 's felf from all her ftreams receives 

A wealthier tribute, than to thine he gives. 

No ieas fo rich, fo gay no banks appear, 225 

No lake fo gentle, and no fpnng fo clear. 

Nor Fo fo fwells the fabling Poet's lays. 

While led along the ikies his current ftrays. 

As thine, which vifits Windfor's famM abodes. 

To grace the manfion of our earthly Gods : 230 

Nor all his ftars above a luAre ihow. 

Like the blight Beauties on thy banks below j 

Where Jove, fubdued by mortal paflion ftill. 

Might change Olympus for a nobler hill. 

Happy the man whom this bright Court approves. 
His Sovereign favours, and his Country loves : 
Happy next him, who to thefe fhades retires. 
Whom Nature charms, and whom the Mufe infpii-es ; 
Whom humbler joys of home-felt quiet pleafe, 
Succeflive ihidy, exercife, and eafe. 240 

He gathers health from herbs the foreft yields. 
And of their fragrant phyfic fpoils the fields : 
With chemic arts exalt the mineral powers. 
And draws the aromatic fouls of flowers : 



Now 



VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 233. It flood thus in the MS. 

And force great Jove, if Jove 's a lover ftill. 
To change Olympus, &c. 

Ver. 235. 

Happy the man, who to the (hades retires. 
But doubly happv, if the Mufe infpires 1 
Bleft whom the Iweets of home-felt quiet pleaib) 
But far more bleft, who ftudy joins vn^ eaie. 



WINDSOR-FOREST. 67 

Kow marics die courle of roUing orbs on high i 145 

O'fer figur'd worlds now travels wiA his eye ; 

Of ancient writ unlocks the learned ftore, 

Confults the dead, and lives paft ages o^er : 

Or wandering thoughtful in tfie iilent wood> 

Attends the duties of the wife and good, 250 

T* obferve a mean, be to himfelf a friend. 

To follow nature^ and regard his end , 

Or looks on heaven with more dian mortal eyes. 

Bids his free foul expatiate in die ikies, 

Amid-her kindred ftars fsualiliar roam, 255 

Survey the region, and confefs her home 1 

Such was the life great Scipio once admir'd. 

Thus Atticus, and Trumbal thus retired. 

Ye facred Nine ! that all my foul poflefs, 
Whoie raptures fire me, and whofe vifions blefg, 260 
Bear me, oh bear me to fequefter'd fcenes. 
The bowery mazes, and furrounding greens 5 
To Thames's banks which fragrant breezes fill. 
Or where ye Mufes fport on Cooper's Hill 
(On Cooper's'Hill eternal wreaths (hall grow, 265 

While lafts the mountain, or while Thames (hall flow) : 
I feem through confecrated walks to rove, 
I hear foft mufic die along the grove : 

Led 

VARIATION. 

Ver. tCj. It ftood thus in the MS. 
Methinks around your holy fcenes I rove^ 
'And hear your mufic echoing through the gr^vt 1 
With tranfport vifit each infpirine (hade 
By God-like Poets venerable made. 
Fa 



£9 P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

tiod by the fyuvkd, I roam from (bade to ihaJe, 

By god-like poets venerable made : 279 

Here his firft lays ma)e£bic Denham fuag^ 

There the laft numbers fUrn^d from Cowley's tongue. 

O early loft ! what tears the nver iked. 

When the fad pomp aiong his banks was led I 

His drooping fwans on every note expire, 275 

And on his vnllows hung ^ch Maie's lyve. 

Smce fata rekntleis ^Pi^Vi tbi^ haavaaly voice. 
No more the forefts ring, or groves vtj#i^; 
Who now (hall charm the Au»4«l, where Cowky ftmng 
His living harp, and lofty ^enham fung? aSo 

But hark! the groves r^Qicc, the foreft raigs I 
Are thefe revived ? or is it Granville £ng8 1 
*Tis yours, my J^ord* to blefs gur ibft retreatSy 
And call the Muies to their ancient feats ^ 
To paint anew the flowery fylvan fcenes, 2^5 

To crown the forefts with immortal greens. 
Make Windfor hills in lofty numbers rife^ 
And lift her turrets nearer to the ikies ; 
To iing thofe honours yeu deferve to weir. 
And add new luftre to her iilver ftv, 190 

Hoe 

VARIATIONS. 
Ver. 275. 

What fighs, what murmurs, fiird the vocal fhore ! 

His tuneful fwans v^ere heard to fing no more. 

Ver. 290. her filver ftar.] All the Jincs that follow 
were not added to the poem till the year 17x0. WJtat 
immediately follow^ dut, aad made te concIufioB, 
were thtfa, 

M^ humble MoA, in unMabkious ftraiiia, 

Pamts the green f(0f«Ai and At ftowery phtinf ; 

Where 



W I N t) 8 e>R - P OR E 8 t. 69 

Here noble Surrey fek tKd fkcued rage, 

Surrey-j the GmofWle of a forafter agfe : 

Matchlefs his fOi, vi^riou» W36 bis lance. 

Bold in the liftsy and graceful in the dance i 

In the fame ihades the Cupids tttn^d his lyn^ 295 

To the fame noCet, of lov«, «ld fiyft dtfire ; 

Fsur GeratdifM, bright ob^eft of hie Tew, 

Then fUrd the groved, as heavenly Mira dow. 

Oh wo\iId*fl; thott fing what heroes Windfor bo]% 
What kings^firft breathed upon her winding Ihore, 300 
Or raiie old warriors, whofe adored remains 
In weeping vaults her hallow'd earth contains I 
With Edward's a6ls adorn the fitining page. 
Stretch his long triumplie down through every age, 
Draw moiMrdiiS chained, and Creili's glorioles iletd, 305 
The lilies- blazing on the iwgal ihield : 
Then, from her roofs when Verrio's colours fett. 
And leave inanimate the nalbed' wall, 
S^\ in thy fong (hould vanqaifli'd France appear. 
And bleed for ever under l^rit^ 's fpear. 310 

I«et fofter fkains ill-fatdd Henry mouni> 
And palms eternal louiiifa round his uxiu 



Here 



vAT^rArioirar. 
Where I obfcurely pafs my carelefs days, 



Pleas 'd in the fiFcnt fhadfe with empty praife, 
Enoujgh for me thai! to lite Ulfening fwains 
Fifd in Ae£f fields I fung the f}dvan ftrains« 
Ver: 307* Originally thftjs in the MS. 
WhenBrafs decays, when Trophies He* overthrown, 
Aftd mouldering inl» dult drops the prolld ftoiie. 

F3 



70 POP E'S POEMS, 

Here o>r the Martyr-King the marble weeps. 
And, fail; befide him, once-fear'd Edward fleeps : 
Whom not th^ extended Albion could contain, 315 
From old Belerium to the northern main. 
The Grave unites 5 wherp.ev'n the Gi-eat find reft. 
And blended lie th* oppreilor and th' oppreft ! 

Make facred Charles's tomb for ever known 
(Obfcure the place, and uninfcrib'd the ftone) i 320 
Oh &ft accurs'd ! what tears has Albion (hed. 
Heavens, what new wounds 1 and how her old have bled t 
She faw her fons with purple deaths expire. 
Her facred domes involved in rolling fire, 
A dreadful feries of inteftine wars, 325 

Inglorious triumphs and diihoneft fears. 
At length great Anna faid,— << Let Difcord ceafe!" 
She faid, the world obeyM, and all was peace 1 

In that bleft moment from his oozy bed 
Old father Thames ^dvanc'd his reverend head. 330 

His 

VARIATIONS, 

Vcr. 311. Originally thus in the MS. 
Oh fa^ accurs'd ! oh facrilegious brood. 
Sworn to Rebellion, principled in blood ! 
Since that dire mom what tears has Albion fhed ! 
Gods ! what new wounds, &c. 

Ver. 327. Thus in the MS. 

Till Anna rofe, and bade the Furies ceafe $ 
Let there be peace—fhe faid, and all was Peace, 

Between verfe 330 and 331, originally ftood thefe lines t 
From (hore to (hore exulting ihouts he heard. 
O'er all his banks a lambent light appeared, 
Wi^ fparkltng flames heaven^s glowmg concave iliQQe, 
Piftitious ftars, and glories npt her own. 

He 



WINDSOR-FOREST. 71 

His trefles dropM with dews, and o^er the ftream 

His fhinimg horns diffusM a golden gleam : 

GravM on his nm appeared the moon, that guides 

His fweliing waters, and alternate tides ; 

The figurM ftreams in waves of filver rollM, 335 

And on their banks Augufta rofe in gold. 

Around hi? Arone the fea-bom brothers ftood 

Who fwell with tributary urns his flood 1 

Fjrft the famM authors of his ancient name. 

The winding Ifis, and the fruitful Thame t 340 

The Kennet fwift, for filver eels renown'd 5 

The Loddon flow with verdant alders crown'd j 

Cole, whofe dark ftreams his flowery iflands lave ; 

And chalky Wey, that rolls a milky wave : 

The blue, tranfparcnt Vandalis appears; 34.5 

The gulphy Lee his fedgy treffes rears j 

And .Allien Mole, that hides his diving flood; 

And (Uent'Darent, ftainM with Danifh blood. 

High in the midft, upon his urn reclinM, 
(His fea-green mantle waving with the wind) 350 

The God appearM : he tumM his azure eyes 
Whei-e Windfor-domes and pompous turrets rifel 
Then bowM, and fpoke ; the winds forget to roar, 
And the hufliM waves glide foftly to the flioi-e. 

•Hail, facred Peace ! hail, long-expe6^ed days, 355 
That Thames's glory to the ftars fliall raife 1 

Though 

VARIATION. 

He faw, and gently rofe above the ftream ; 
His fluning homs diflufe a golden gleam : 
With pearl and gold his towery front was dreft| 
The tribute* of 3ie diftant Eaft and Weft. 
F4 



71 PpPE^'5 PQEMS- 

Though Tybpr>. %e^3 imwwlal R9mc l^old| 
Though foaminj^ {^QnnV4 (WeU^ yff\th tides of gold^ 
From Ije^y^n itfejf 4i?. f^YW^W NUus flovs. 
And harvefts on ^ hundred realms^ bei|;pws ; 3^9 

'if hcfe now n^ a^cifc ftuiU be the Mule's thcpi^cs. 
Loft in my famr^ ^ ip U^e fea their (beanos. 
Let Volga's b%ok§ vitfe ifOJl f^^uadron? ftua^. 
And groves of (aji^eft gUtt^ on the lihine. 
Let barbarous CiWgQSi vni a feryile train 5 }fi$ 

Be mine the bl^fliii^^s of a peaceful reign. 
No more my foni^ (hall dy^ witli Bntiih h]lQG4 
Red Iber's ia^4$, oir Ifler's foaming fiood > 
Safe o{i Qiy (hore ^ach unmolefted Twain 
Shall tend tl^e flocks, W reap the bearded gr^ijji j 37^ 
Xh^ Ihady empire (haU retain np trace 
Of war or blood, b^t ip the fylvan ctace $ 
The trumpet fleep, while chearful horns a|9 Upturn, 
And arms eipplpy'4 ojt) bird^ and bf^fts. alp«c. 
Behold ! th' afcendiJ3ig yillas om my fide, J75 

Projeft lon|r fhadPWS o'er the qpy^ tide. 
Behold ! Ai^g^j^^'s glittering fp^ir^ increai^ 
And Tei?\pl^s nife, the. hft5iM,t?aus workg qf Pe*C9- 
I fee, \ fee, where tv^p fair cities bend 
Their ampk bo>y, a, new W^vitqVU af<jend I iff^ 

Tfewe 

Y^V 363. Originally thus in the MS. 

Let Venice boaft her Towers amidft the Main, 
Where the rough Adrian fwells and roaxs in vain| 
Here not a Town, but fpajciou« Realm fhall. hav« 
A lure foundation on the rolling wav«. 



I WIND 6 OR- FOR EST. 73 

■ Tli^ mighty nations fi^all inquiie their doonit 

■ The world't great qracle in times to cqme \ 

m That K^gs (hall fue, and fuppjiaut States be £ttn 
m Once more to beiul before a Britifh Qijeen. 
m Thy trees, fair Windfoi- ! now fliall kayo their woods, 
F M half tby forefta rufh into thy floods ^ 
^ . Bear Britain's Thunder, fnd her CroiV display, 
' To the bright regiona of tho riling d^y : 
f Tempt icy feas, where fcarce the waters roll. 
Where clearer flames glow roimd the frozen Pole i 3 90 
Or under foutheru ikies exalt their iail?, 
Led by new ftars, and borne by fpicy galea ! 
For me the balm (ball bleed, and amber flow. 
The coral rec^iem a;ad the ruby glow. 
The pearl)r fli^U its liv:id globe uni^oitd, 3,95 

And Phoebus warm the ripening ore to gold,. 
The time fhall come, when free aa feas or wind 
Unbounded Thames (hall flow for all mankiAnii 
Whole nations enter with each fweiling tide« 
And feas but yo'in the regions they divide ; ^joq 

Earth's diijksgit ends our glory fl^U behold. 
And the new vrorld launch forth to feek tbff old. 
Then fliips of uncouth form fliall ft^m th» lidc«^ 
And feathered people crowd my wealthy fide*, 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 385, &c. wqre originally thus in the MS. 
Now fliall our fleets the blooily Crofs difplay 
To the rich regionSi of the rifing day. 
Or thofe gFectv ifles, where hea&ng Titan flxtp^ 
His hifllng axl« in th' AtlanUc deepft s 
Tewpt icy feas, &c. 



74 PC P E'S POEMS. 

And naked youths and painted chiefs admire 405 

Our fpeech, our colour, and our ftrange attire ! 

Oh, ftretch thy reign, fair Peace ! from (hore to fliore, 

Till Conqueft ceafc, and Slavery be no more j 

Till the freed Indians in their native groves 

Reap their own fruits, and viroo their fable loves 5 410 

Peru once moi^ a race of ICings behold. 

And other Mexicos be roof M with gold. 

Exird by thee from earth to deepeft hell, 

In brazen bonds, ihall barbarous Difcord dwell : 

Gigantic Pride, pale Terror, gloomy Care, 4.15 

And mad Ambition, fliall attend her there : 

There purple Vengeance bath'd in gore retires. 

Her weapons blunted, and extin^l her fires : 

There hateful Envy her own fnakes fhall feel. 

And Perfecution mourn her broken wheel : 420 

There Faftion roar. Rebellion bite her chain. 

And gafping Furies thirft for blood in vain. 

Here ceafc thy flight, nor with unhallowM lays 
Touch the fair fame of Albion's golden days : 
The thoughts of Gods let Granville's verfe recite. 
And bring the fcenes of opening fate to light : 426 
My humble Mufe, in unambitious ftrains. 
Paints the green forefts and the flowery plains. 
Where Peace defcending bids her olive fpring. 
And fcatters blefllngs from her dove-like wing. . 439 
Ev'n I more fwietly pafs my carelefs days, 
Pleas'd in the filent ihade with empty praife ; 
Enough for me, that to the liftening fwains 
Firft in thefe fields I fung the fylvan ftrains. 

ODE 



D E 



O N 

St. C E C I L I A'S day, 

MDCCVIII. 
AND OTHER PIECES FOR MUSIC. 



t 77 3 

ODE tOR MUSIC 

ON 

St. CECILIA'S day, 

I. 
T\£sCEND, yeNine! deftead> aiidfiDg; 
^^ The breathing inftnimemts ii^^nrety 
Wake into voice «ach file«t ftriag^ 
And fweep the fovading Ijit 1 

In a fadly-rpleafinig fivaim 5 

Let the waiUing lute compbdn » 
Let the loud trumpet found. 
Till the re«fs all around 
The ihrill echoes rebound t 
iVhile, in more lengthen'd notes tikd fldM% i« 

The deep» majdlbc^ Ic^emn organs bk>v. 
Hark ! the nuflibers loft asd clear 
Gently fteal upon the ear $ 
Now louder^ and yst louder rife> 
And fill with fpreading fiaunds die Bdes { 1 5 

suiting in triumph now fWeil the bckl ao«et» 
I broken air> trembling, the wild mu€c floats i 
Till, by degrees^ remote and fhiai2» 
The fbaiis decay. 

And melt away, *9 

In a d3ring, dying fall, 

-By 



78 P O P E7 S P O E M S- 

ir. 

By Mufic, minds an equal temper isnow^ 

Nor fwell too high, nor fink too Ibw, 
If in the breaft tumultuous joys arife, 
Mufic her foft, affuafive voice applies ; *5 

Or, when the foul is prefsM with cares, 
Exalts her in enlivening airs. 
Warriors Ihe fires with animated founds ; 
Fours balm into the bleeding lover's wounds 5 

Melancholy lifts her head, S'o 

Morpheus roufes-from his bed^ 

Sloth unfolds her arms and wakes, 

Liftening Envy drops her fnakes 5 
Inteitine war no more our Paflions wage, 
And giddy Fa^ions hear away their rage. 35 

III. 

But when our Country's caufe provokes to Arms, 
How martial mufic every bofom warms I • 
So when the firft bold veflfel dar'd the feas. 
High on the ftem the Thracian rais'd his ftrain. 

While Argo iaw her kindred trees 40 

Defcend fpom Pelion to the main. 
Tranfported demi-gods ftood round. 
And men grew heroes at the found, 
Enflam'd with glory> charms : 
Each chief his fevenfold fliield difplayM, 45 - 

And half unfheath'd the ihining blade c 
And feas, and rocks, and ikies rebound 
To anas, to arms, to arms I 

But 



O D E S; Sx 

Now with Furies furrounded, 
Defpairing, confounded, 
He trembles, he glows, 
Araidft Rhodope's fnows : 
See, wild as the winds, o'er the defert he flies; no 

Hark ! Hsemus refounds with the Bacchanals cries-— 

Ah fee, he dies I 
Yet ev'n in death Eurydice he fung, 
Eurydice ftill trembled on his tongue, 

Eurydice the woods, jie 

Eurydice the floods, 
Eurydice the rocks and hollow mountains rung, 
VII. 
Mufic the fierceft grief can charm. 
And fate's fevereft rage difarm : 
Mufic can foften pain to eafe, no 

And make defpair and madnefs pleafe : 
Our joys below it can improve. 
And antedate the blifs above. 
This the divine Cecilia found. 
And to her Maker's praife confinM the found. 125 

When the full organ joins the tuneful quire, 

Th' immortal powers incline their ear 5 
Borne on the fwelling notes our fouls afpire, 
"While fblemn airs improve the facred fire j 

And angels lean from heaven to hear. 130 

Of Orpheus now no more let Poets tell. 
To bright Cecilia greater power is given : 
His numbers rais'd a fliade from hell, 

Her's lift the foul to heaven. 
Vmu U G T \V Q 



t «« I 

TWO 

C H O R U S E 

T O T H E 

TRAGEDY OF BRUTUS. 

Altered from Shake§>eare by the Duke bf Buckirtrf 
at whofe defire thefe two Chonifes were compose 
fupply as many, wanting in his play. They wer 
many years aftei-wards by the ftunous'Bononcini, 
performed at Buckingham-houfe. 

CHORtJS OF A^h:etn^ia>is. 

STILOPHE I. 

"17 E ihadesy where facred truth is fought 5 
-*• Groves, where inmiortal Sages taught ; 

Where, heavenly vifions Plato fir*d, 

And'Epicurus lay infpir'd ! 

In vain your guiltlefs laurels ftood 

Unfpotted long with human blood. 
War, horrid war, your thoughtful walks invades. 
And fteel now glitters in the Mufes' (hades. 

ANTISTROPHE I. 

Oh heaven-born fifters I fource of art ! 
Who charm the fenfe, or metid the heait j 
Who lead fair Virtue's train along. 
Moral truth arid myftic Song ! 
To what new clime, whatdiftant flcy, 
Forfaken, friendlefs, ihall ye fly ? 

Say, will yc blefs the bleak' Atlantic 'Khbrc ? 

Ss bid the furious Gaul be rucle no' more ? 



b £ ^; S3 

STROPHE II. 

When Athens finks by fates unjufl. 

When Mvild Barbarians fpum her duft j 

Perhaps ev'n Britain's utmoft Ihore 

Shall ceafe to blufh with ftranger's gore 5 ao 

See Arts her favage fons control. 

And Athens rifing near the pole ! 
Till fome new Tyrant lifts his piwple handf 
And civil madnefs tears them from the land. 

ANTISTllOPrHE II. 

Ye Gods ! what juftice rules the ball I 1$ 

Freedom and Arts together fall $ 

Fools grant whatever Ambition CFaves, 

And men, once ignorant, are (laves ^ 

Oh curs'd efFefts of civil hate, 

In every age, in every ftate ! 30 

Still, when the luft of tyrant power iuccecd»A 
Some Athens perifhes, ibme Tully4>leeds. 

CHORUS OF YOUTHS AND YIRGIKJS. 

. -8 E MIC HO RUB. 

OH Tyrant Love ! haft thou pofleft 
The prudent, leamM, and virtuous breaft ? « 

Wifdom and Wit in vain reclaim, ^ 

And Arts but foften us to feel thy flame. 

Love, foft intruder, enters here, 5 

But entering learns to be iincere. 
Marcus with bluihes owns he loves^ 
And Brutus tenderly reproves, 



34 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Why, Virtue, doft thou blame defire. 

Which Nature has impreft ? jo 

Why, Nature, doft thou fooneft fire 
The mild and generous breaft ? 

CHORUS. 

Love's purer flames the Gods approve ; 
The Gods and Bi-utus bend to Love : 
Bi"utus for abfent Porcia fighs, i^ 

And fterner Caflius melts at Junia's eyes. 
What is loofe love ? a tranfient guft, 
Spent in a fudden fterm of luft, 
A vapour fed from wild defire, 
A wandering, felf-confuming fire. ^ 20 

But Hymen's kinder flames unite ; 

And bum for ever one ; 
Chafte as cold Cynthia*s virgin light, 
Produftive as the Sun. 

SEMICHORVS. 

Oh fource of every focial tye, 25 

United wifh, and mutual joy f 
What various joys on one attend. 
As fon, as father, brother, hufband, friend ? 

Whether his hoary fire he fpies, 
^ While thoufand grateful thoughts arife j 30 

Or meets his fpoule's fonder eye ; 
Or views his fmiiing progeny 5 
What tender paflions take their turns. 

What home-felt raptures move I 
His heart now melts, now leaps, now bums, 35 
' With reverence, hope, and love, 

CHORUS. 



ODES. S5 

CHORUS. 

Hence guilty joys, diibiles, furmiz-?. 
Hence falfe tears, deceits, difguiles. 
Dangers, doubts, delays, furprizes 5 

Fires that fcorch, yet dare net ihine : 40 

Pureft love's unwafting beafure, 
Conftant faith, fair hope, long leifure 5 
Days of eafe, and nights of pleafure j 
Sacred Hymen ! thefe are thine. 

ODE ON SOLITUDE. 

Written when the Author was about Twelve Years old. 

HAPPY the man, whofe wifli and care 
A few paternal acres bound. 
Content to breathe his native air, 

In his own ground. 
Whofe herds with milk, whofe fields with breads 5 

Whofe flocks fupply him with attire, 
Whofe ti'ees in fummer yield him fhade, 

In winter fire. 
Bleft, who can unconcemMly find ' 

Hours, days, and years Aide foft away, 10 

In health of body, peace of mind. 

Quiet by day. 
Sound fleep by night ; ftudy and eafe, 
Together mlx'd 5 fweet recreation ; 
And innocence^ which moft does pleafe % 15 

With meditation • 

G 3 Tb.\x^ 



%i P O P E'S P O E M S, 

Thus let me live, \infeen, unknown. 

Thus unlamented let me die, 
gteal from the world, and not a ftone 

Tell where I lie. z9 

ODE. 

THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HI$ SOUL. 

I. 

TT I T A L fy^rk of Heavenly flame ! 
' Quit, oh quit this mortal frame : 
Trembling, hoping^ lingering, flyipg. 
Oh the pain, the blifs of dying ! 
Ceafe, fond Nature, ceafe thy ftrife, ^ 

And let me languifh into life. 
II. 
Hark ! they whifpef j Angels fay. 
Sifter Spirit, come away. 
What is this abforbs me quite ? 
Steals my fenfes, fliuts my fight, i6 

Pi-owns my fpirits, draws my breath ? 
Tell me, my Soul, can this be Death ? 

III. 
The world recedes 5 it difappears ! 
Heaven opens on my eyes ! ray ears 

With founds feraphic ring : 15 

Lend, lend your wings ! I mount ! I fly I 
O Grave ! where is thy Victory ? 
O Death ! where is thy Sting ? 

AN 



AN 

E S S A y 

O N 

CRITICISM. 

Written in the Year m dcc ix*. 



'^ Si quid novifti re£Hus iftis, 
*^ Candidus imperti ; £ non> his utere mepum." 

HOR. 



• Mr. Pope told me himfelf, th« the " Eflay on 
<* Criticifin" was indeed written in 1707, though faid 
1709 bymiftake. J. RiCHAR0sON. 



G + 



Th e Poem is in one book, but divided into three prin- 
cipal parts or members. The firft [to ver. 201.] 
gives rules for the Study of the Ait of Critlcifm ; the 
fecond [from thence to ver. 560.] expofes the Caufes 
of wrong Judgment ; and the third [from thence to 
the end] marks out the Morals of the Critic. When 
the Reader hath well confidered the whole, and hath 
obferved the regularity of the plan, the mafterly con- 
du6l of the feveral paits, the peneti-ation into Nature, 
and the compafs of learning fo confpicuous through- 
out, he (hould then be told that it was the work of an 
Author who had not attained the twentieth yeai" of 
his age. — A very learned Critic has fhewn, that Ho- 
race had the fame attention to method in his Art of 
Poetry. 



[ 89 3 

CONTENTS 

OF THE 

ESSAY ON CRITICISM. 

PART I. 

INTRODUCTION. That 'tis as great a fault to judge 
illy as to write ill, and a more dangerous one to the 

public, ver. ^i . 
That a true Tafte is as rare to be found as a true Ge- 
nius, ver. 9 to 1 8. 
That moft men are born with fome Tafte, but fpoiPd 

by falfe Education, ver. 19 to 25. 
The multitude of Critics and caufes of them, ver. 26 

to 45. 
That we are to ftudy our own Tafte, and know the limits 

of it, ver. 46 to 67. 
Nature the beft guide of judgment, ver. 68 to 87. 
Improved by Art and Rules, which arc but methodized 

Nature, ver. 88. 
Rules derived from the praftice of the Ancient Poets, 

ver. 88. to no. 
That therefore the Ancients are neceftary to be ftudied 

by a Critic, particularly Homer and Virgil, ver. izo 

to 138. 
Of Licences, and the ufe of them by the Ancients, ver. 

140 to i8o. 
Reverence due to the Ancients, and praife of them, 

ver. 181, &c. 

P K^-X: 



90 COSTENTS. 

PART II. Ver. 203, &c. 
Caufe» hlndeiing a true Judgment, i. Pride, vti. loS. 
a. Imperfefl Learning, ver. 215. 3. Judging by 
parts, and not by the whole, ver. 233 to 288. Cri- 
tics in Wit, Language, Verfification, only, 288, 305, 
339) &c. 4. Being too hard to pleafe, or too apt 
to admire, ver. 384. 5. Partiality— too much love 
to a Se£l, — to the Ancients or Modems, ver. 394. 
6. Prejudice or Prevention, ver. 408. 7. Singularity, 
ver. 424. 8. Inconftancy, ver. 430. 9. Party Spi- 
rit, ver. 452, &c. 10. Envy, ver. 466. Againft 
Envy, and in praifc of Good-nature, ver. 508, &€. 
When Severity is chiefly to be ufed by Critics, ver. 
526J &c. 

PART ni. Ver. 5^0, S^c. 

Rules for the Conduft of Manners in a Critic, i. Can- 
dour, ver. 563. Modefty, ver. 566. Good-breed- 
ing, ver. 572. Sincerity and Freedom of Advice, 
ver. 578. 2. When one's Counfel is to be reflrainedy 
ver. 584. Char^^er of an incorrigible Poet, ver. 
600. And of an impertinent Critic, ver. 610, $cc. 
Charafter of a good Critic, ver. 629. The Hiftory 
of Criticifm, and Characters of the beft Critics: 
Ariftotle, ver. 645. Hoi-ace, ver. 653. Dionyfius, 
ver. 665. Petromu5, ver. 667. Quintilian, ver. 
670. Longinus, ver. 675. Of the Decay of Criti- 

. ciim, «Dd its Revival. £rafiiius» ver. 693. Vid:^ 
ver. 705. Boileau, ver. 714, Lord Roicoimpony 
ice. Ten 725. Coiiclttfioiu 

AN 



I 9X 1 
AN 

ESSAY 

ON 

CRITICISM. 

J ' I "^ I S hard to fay, if gitatw wiuit of ikiil 

^ Appear in wriling or m juJ^ug i«l , 
But of the two, lefs dangerou;. U lii olici^c^ 
To tire our patience, than miiicad cur Iciiit . 
Some few in that, butnuinUib tm m tl,^, < 

Ten cenfure wrong for one wlio wiiu« mhiU ^ 
A fool might once himielf alone «a^1>., 
Horn one in verfe naknb many Jiion. m ^gic. 

*Tis with our judguientb ab oui WAU:ii«,4 i i«o««^ 
Go juft alike, yet each believes hi^ 4^;i. ^<^ 

In Poets as true genius is but raj<:. 
True tafb as feldum i;> the Critic » i^M^, 
Both muft alike ftum Heaven deiive ijMa' Ugjii, 
The(e boni to judge, as weh ab tbol*: u> wu'ur. 
Let fuch teach others who thtnielv^i) txoel, a : 

And cenfure freely who have wntten wcij« 
Authors art partial to thdr wit, 'lit> ttuv. 
But are not Critics to their judgmroi loo f 

Yet, if we look mare clo&ly, we ihatl liud 
kiiftjBivctiiefeQdtaf jtidgiKttiB thsv tcuufi : 2^ 



I 



9s P O P E»S P Q E M S. 

Nature affords at leaft a glimmering light 5 

The lines, though touch'^i but faintly, are drawn right. 

But as the flighteft fketch, if juftly tracM, 

Is by ill-colouring but the ipore difgracM, 

So by falfe learning is good fenfe defac'd : 

Some are bewilder'd in the maze of fchools, %S 

And feme made coxcombs N^re meant but fools. 

In fearch of wit thefe lofe their commoa fenfe^ 

And then turn Critics in their own defence : 

Each bums alike, who can, or cannot wiite, 30 

Or with a rival's, or an eunuch's fpite. 

All fools have ftill an itching to deride. 

And fain would be upon the laughing fide. 

If Maevius- fcribble in Apollo's fpight, 

IXhere are who judge iHU worfe than he can write. 35 

Some have at firft for Wits, then Poets paft, 
Turn'd Critics next, and provM plain fools at laft. 

Some 

VARIATIONS. 

■ Between ver. %$ and 26 were thefe lines, fince omit- 
ted by the Author i 

Many ai-e fpoiPd by that pedantic throng. 
Who with great pains teach youth to reafon wrong. 
Tutors, like Virtuofos, oft mclinM 
By ftrange transfufion to improve the mind, 
Bi-aw ofTthe fenfe we have, to pour in new ; 
Which yet, with all their (kill, diey ne'er could do. 
Ver. 30, 31. In the firft edition thus: 

Thofe hate as rivals ail that write ; and others 
But envy wits, as eunuchs envy lovers. 
Ver. 32. " All fools," in the firft edition 5 <« All fuch'* 
in edition 1 71 7 3 fmce reftored. 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. 93 

neither can for Wits nor Critics pafs, 
javy mules are neither horie nor afs. 

I half-leamM witlings, numerous in our ifle, 40 
ilf-form'd infefts on the banks of Nile ; 

ifh'd things, one knows not what to call, 
• generation 's fo equivocal : 

II them, would a hundred tongues require, 

e vain wit's, that might a hundred tire. 4.^ 

: you, who feek to give and merit fame, 
uilly bear a Critic's noble name, 
*e yourfelf and your own reach to know, 
far your genius, tafte, and learning, go $ 
h not beyond your depth, but be difcreet, 50 

nark that point where fenfe and dulnefs meet, 
ure to all things fix'd the limits fit, 
vifely curbM proud man's pretending wit, 
the land while here the ocean gains, 
er parts it leaves wide Tandy plains j ^^ 

in the foul while memory prevails, 
)lid power of underftanding fails ; 
: beams of warm imagination play, 
lemory's foft figures melt away, 
ience only will one genius fit ; ^o 

: is art, fb narrow human wit : 
ily bounded to peculiar arts, 
t* in thofe confln'd to fmgle parts, 
lings, we lofe the conquefts gain'd before, 
a ambition ftill to make them more : 65 

Each 

VARIATION. 

(4 Ed. !• But ev'n in thofe, &c« 



^4. P OPE'S P O E M S. 

Each might his fevenil province vreU command* ^ 

Would all but (loop to what they underfland. 
^ Firft follow Nature, and your judgment frame 
By her juft ftandard, -which is ftill the fame 3 
/Unerring NATUnEy ftill divinely 4)right, jo 

ft)ne clear, unchanged, and univerial light, 
/K.Xife, force, and beauty, muft to all impart, 
; At once the fource, and- end, and teft of Art. 
Art from that fund each juft fiipply provides ; 
Works without fhow, and without pomppreiides : 75 
In fome fair body thus.thVinforming foul 
With fpirits feeds, with vigour fills the wholo. 
Each motion guides, end every nerve fuOains; 
Itfelf unfeen, but in th'efie^ls remains. 
Some, to whom Heaven in wit has been profiiic, to 
Want as much more, tatum it to its u&j 
For wit and judgment often are at ftrife. 
Though meant each odier^s aid, like man «nd wife. 
'Tis more to guide, than fpur the Mufe^s fteed^ 
Keftrain his fury, than.provoke hisfpeed: -8^ 

The winged courfer, like a generous horfe. 
Shows moft true mettle when you check his conrfe. 
(. rrhofe Rules of; old difcorer'd, not devisM, 
Are Nature ftill, but Nature methodised s 

Nature, 

VARIATIONS^ 

Ver. 74. 

That art is beft, i^hich moft refembles her; 

W^hich ftill prefides, yet never does appear. 
Ver. 76. —the fecret foul. 
Ver. 80. 

There are whom -Heaven has bleft with^orcof.wit^ • 

Yet want as nauch again to manage it. 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. 95 

Nature^ like Liberty, is but refttainM 90 

By the fame laws which firft herielf ofdainM. 

Hear how ktfmM Greece her ufefiil rules iadit&i, \ 
AVhen to repreft, and when indulge our ft|;hfs ; ^ 
High oh Pamaflus* top her ions (be ihow^d. 
And pointed out thofe arduous paths fStmy Hod s 95 
Held from afar, aloft^ th* immortal prixc. 
And urg'd the reft by equal fieps to liie. 
Juft precepts thus from great examples giTen, 
She drew from them whait they deriv*d from Uanen, 
The generous Cridc fami*d the Poet^s ire, 109 

And taught the world widi reafim to admirr. 
Then- Gridciim the Mnft's handmaid pror^d. 
To drefs her cfaarmsy and make her more belor*d i 
But following wits from diat intendon fbevf^d^ 
Who could not win the miftreisy woo*d the maid % 105 
A'gaiAft the poets their own arms they tum'd. 
Sure to hate moft the tmta frdm' whom they Icam'd* 
So modem Tothecaries, taught the art 
By Doflors bills to play die IMftor's jfuut. 
Bold in the proCtice of miftaken rales, 110 

fVefciibe, apply, and call tfaeirmafterf £do1s. 
Some on the" leaves of ancient authors prey. 
Nor time nor moths e'er ipoiPd fo much as they j 

Some 

. VAltlATrOlfS. 

Ver. 90. Ed. i. Nature, like Monarchy, &c» 
Ver. 92. Firft leanied Greece juft precepts did indfte, 
' When to reprefs and when mdulge our flight. 

Ver. 97. Fromgfeat examples <u(^fu] rales were given* 
After Ver.' 104. <hi» liAe is <fnijtt^, 

Set up themiblves, and drove a feparatfinx^idkit* 



9^ P 6 ? £*g P 6 E M S. 

Some drily plain, without invention's aid, 
Write dull receipts how poems may be made. ii J 

Thefe leave the fenfe, their learning to difplay, 
And thofe explain Ae meamng quite away. 

You then whofe judgment the right courfe would fteer, 
Know well each Ancient's proper character : 
His Fable, Subjeft, fcope in every page ; - no 

Religion, Country, genius of his Age : 
Without all thefe at once before your eyes, 
Cavil you may, but never criticize. 
Be Homer's works your ftudy and delight. 
Read them by day, and meditate by night j 125 

Thence form your judgment, thence your maxims bring, 
And trace the Mufes upward to their fpring. 
Still with itfelf compar'd, his text penife ; 
And let your conunent be the Mantuan Mufe. 

When 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 116. Ed. 1. Thefe loft, &c. 

Ver. 117. And thefe explained, &c. 

Ver. 113. Ed. l. You may confound, but, &c. 

Ver. 123. Cavil you may, but never criticize.] Thef 

Author after this verfe originally inferted the following, 

which he has however omitted in all the editions : 
Zoilus, had thefe been known, without a Name 
Had dy'd, and Perault ne'er been damn'd to fame j 
The fenfe of found antiquity had reign'd. 
And facred Homer yet been unprophan'd. 
None e'er had thought his comprehenfive mind 
To modem cuftoms, modem rules confin'd j 
Who for all ages writ, and all mankind. 

Ver. 126. Thence form your judgment, thence yourxuK 
tioQS bring. 



\ 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. 97 

When firft jamg Msuro, in i)i9. boijndlefs miad x 39 
A work t' outlaft immortal Rome defig&'<i> 
Perhaps he reem*<i above the Critic's law. 
And but from Nature's fount^up^fcomM to draw : 
But when t' examine eveiy part he came^ 
Nature and Homer were, b^ foupd, thts iame. 135 

Convinced, amazM» he checjcs the bold defigS) 
And rules as ftriA his laibour'd work confine. 
As if the Stagirite o'erlook'd each linjc. 
Learn hence for ancient ndes a jv/ft eft^em s V 
To copy nature) is to copy thnn. y I40 

Some beauties yet no precepts can declarci 
For there'll a happinefs as well as caxc. 
M«fic refembles Poetry, in each 
Are nameleTs graces which no methods teach. 
And which a raafter-hand alone can reach. 145 

If, where the rules not far enough extiend, 
(Since rules were made but to prompte their eQd) 
Some lucky Licenfe anfwer to the i^uU 
Th' intent proposed, that Licenfe is a jvle. 
Thus Pegafus, a nearer way to take, s 50 

May boldly deviate from the conmioa track ; 

From 

VAB,UTIO^(S. 

Ver. 130. 
Wien firft young Maro fung of Kings and Wan ■ 
t^re warning Phoebus touchM his trembling ears. 

Ver. 130. Ed. i. When Wjgprpat M^o, &c. 

Ver. 136. * 

Convinced, .axQaz^dy l)e <hedcM At bold defigfij 
And did hid workto rijes ^>^fti|i^;e(j^liPne. 

Vol. h fi 



I 



] 



<f9 P P ti'S P OE M S. 

From tulgar bounds with biave diforder part. 
And fnatch a grace beyond the reach of art. 
Which, without pafiing through the judgment, ga 
The heart, and all its end at once attains. 
In profpe^b thus, fome obje^ls pleafe our eyes. 
Which out of nature^s common order rife. 
The ihapelefs rock, or hanging precipice. 
Great Wits fometimes mvy glorioufly •ffend, 
And rife to faults true Critics dare not mend# 
But though the Ancients thus their rules invade 
(As Kings difpenie with laws themfelves have mac 
Modems, beware! or, if you muft offend 
Againft the precept, ne'er tranfgrefs its end i 
Let it be feldom, and compellM by need : 
And have, at .leaft, their precedent to plead. 
The Critic eUe proceeds widiout remorfe. 
Seizes your fame, and puts his laws in force. 

I know there are, to whofe prefumptuous though 
Thofe freer beauties, ev'n in them, feem faults. 
Some figures aionftrous and mif<-fhap*d appeaTf 
Cobfider'd fingly, or beheld too near. 
Which, but propcnrtionM to their ligdt, or place. 
Due diftance reconciles toToi-m and grace. 
A prudent chief not always muft difplay 
Hi^ powers in equ^l ranks, and fair array, 

VARIATION. 

After ver. 15S. the firH edition reads, 
Butcare in poetry anift ftill be had, 
It aflcs discretion ev^n iu'iunning mad j 
And thottgb tiie andents, &c. 
- Jiai VilM''iii'ifow'inar, ^59, 160, Iblliowed vtr* t$\ 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. ^^ 

But with di* occaikm snd the place complyy 
Conceal his foorce^ nay fometimes feen to fly. 
Thofe oft are ftratagems which errors ieem. 
Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. iSo 

6till green with bays each ancient Altai" ftands. 
Above the reach of facrilegious hands ; 
Secure from Flames, from Envy's fiercer ragc^ 
Deftru^tive War, and all-involving Age. 
See from each clime the ieam'd their incenfe bring ! 
Hear, in all tongues confenting Pagans ring I 
In praife fo juft let every voice be joixi*d> 
And fill the general chorus of mankind. 
Hail, Bards triumphant! bom in happier days $ 
Inmiortal heirs of univerfal praife ! i^o 

Whofe honours with increafe of ages grow. 
As ftreams roll down, enlarging as they flow ; 
Nations unborn your mighty names fliall found. 
And worlds applaud that muft not yet be found ! 
O may fome fpark of your celeftial £n, i^^ 

The laft, the meaneft of your font in^^ire, 
(That, on weak wings, from hr porAies yotir flights ; 
Glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes) 
To teach vain wits a fcience little known, 
T* admire fuperior fenft^ and doubt their owns 200 

Of 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 178. Ed.^. 

Oft hide his force, nay ftem fometimes to fly. 

Ver. 1 84.. Ed. x . Dcftniftive war, and all-devooripg Age. 

Ver. lie* td. t. 

Hear, in all tongues appIlMiding Pseans rixigt 
Vtr. i97« td. i; ililit'witii w«ak win^, k<u - 
Ha 



ip« PO PE'S POEMS. 

Of all the caufes which confptre to blind "^ 
Man^s ei-ring judgment^ and mifgaide the mind, | 
What the wepk head with ftrongeft bias niles, . j 
Ig Pride, the never-failing vice of fools. y 
Whatever Nature has in wordi deny'd, 105 

She gives in large recruits of needful Pride ! 
For as in bodies> thus in fi>uls» we find 
What wants in blood and fpiritB, fwelPd with wind: 
Pride, vAuxc Wit fails, fteps in to our defence. 
And fills up all the mighty void of icnfe. sio 

If once right reafon driven diat cloud away. 
Truth breaks upon us wkk refiftlefs day. 
Tnift not yonrftlf ; bbt, your defied to know> 
Maj^e ufe of every friend«-*aiid every foe. 
A little learning is a danf^erona thing 1 ^ 115 

Drink deep, or taAe not the Pierian fpring :J 
There fhaUow draughts intoxicate the biain. 
And drinking largely fobers vs agson. 
Fir'd at firft fight imdi what the Muie imparts. 
In fearlefs youth we ttsnfit the heights of Arts, aio 
While, from the bounded kvel of o«r mind. 
Short views we take, nor kt the lengths behind } 
But move advanc'd» behold widi Ai-ange furprize 
New difta^iiceaet tf jlndlelaiicienoe xiie ! 



VARIATIONS. 



Ver. 219k 
•TlrVl wHh tkt chartns iktr Science does imput. 
In fearlefs youth we tempt the heights of Art. 

Ver. 223, Uttt anre idraic'd, ftvtcyi tec. 



So 



ESSAY OH CRITICISM. i<fi 

So pleased at firft the tmvering Alp.8 we try, 125 

'Mount o^er the vales, :incl feem to tread the iky, . 
Tb* eternal fiiows appear already poft, 
And the firft clouds and mountsuns feem the laft : 
But, thofe attainM, we tremble to fiinrey 
The growing labours of the lengthened way, 130 

Th' incrcafmg profpc6^ tires our wandering eyes. 
Hills peep o*er hills, and Alps on Alps arife 1 
A perfeft judge will read each work of Wit 
With the fame fpirit that its author writ ^ 
Survey the WHOLE, nor (eek flight faults to find 235 
Where nature moves, and rapture warms the mind $ 
Nor lofe, for that malignant dull delight, 
The generous pleafure to be chaimM with wit. 
But, in fuch lays as neither ebb nor flow, 
Correftly cold, and regulirly low, 240 

That, fliunning faults, one quiet tenour ke^; 
We cannot blame indeed — but we may flecp. 
In wit, as Nature, what affe^s our hearts 
Is not th* exa6hiefs of peculiar parts $ 
•Tis not a lip, or eye, we beauty call, 24.5 

But the joint force and full refult of all. 
Thus when we view fome well-proportion*d dome, 
(The world's juft wonder, and ev'n thine, O Rome!) 

No 

VARIATION. 

Vcr. 225. 
tio pleas'd at fiift the towering Alps to try, 
Filrd with ideas of fajo* Italy, 
The traveller beholds witih chearful eyes 
The leflening vales', and feems to tread the Ikies. 
H3 



wi P O PE'S POEMS. 

No (ingle parts unequally furprizey 
All COOKS united to th* admiring eyes ; X50 

No monftrous height, or breadth* or length appear i 
The Whole at once is bold, and re^lar. 
Whoever thinks a faultlefs piece to fee. 
Thinks what ne*er was, nor is, nor e'er fhall be. 
In every work regard the writer's end, 255 

Since none can compafs more dian they intend j 
And if the npieans be juft, the condu^ true, 
Applaufe, in fpite of trivial faults, is due. 
As men of breeding, fometimes men of wit, 
T* avcnd great errors, muft the lefs conunit » 260 

Negleft the rules each y^al Critic lays. 
For not to know fome tribes, is a praife, 
Moft Critics, fond of fome fubfervient art, 
^till make the Whole depend upon a Part ; 
They talk of principles, but notions piize, %6$ 

And all to one lov'd folly facriBce. 
Once on a time. La Mancha's Knight, they fay, 
A certain Bard encountering on the way, 
pifcoursM in temu as juft, with looks as fage. 
As e'er could Dennifs, of the Grecian ftage \ ^79 

Concluding all were defperate fots and fools. 
Who durft depart from AriftotJ?'s rule?. 

Our 

VARIATIONS,. 

Ver. 159. As men of breeding, oft the men of wit. 
Ver. 165. They talk of principles, but parts they prise. 
V«r. 170. As e'er could Dennis of the laws o* th* (bge» 
Ter. %'^%, Ed. x. That durft, icu 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. ^03 

Our Atidior» bappy in a judge fo nice. 

Produced his play, and begg*d At Knighf t advice e 

M»de himobferve the fubjef^, and the plot, 27$ 

The manners, paifions, unities ; what not ? 

AH which, exaft to rule, were brought about, 

"Were but a combat in the lifts left out. 

** What I Jeave the combat out?** exdsdms die Knight. 

Yes, or we muft renounce the Stagirite. 2S0 

<< Not ib by heaven (he aniwers in a rage) 

v' KnightS) fquires, and fteeds, muft enter on die ftage.** 

So vaft a throng the ftage can ne*er contain. 

•* Then build a new, or aft it in a plain.** 

Thus Critics, of lefs judgnoent than caprice, %t^ 
Curious, not knowing, not exaft but nice^ - 
Form Ihort ideas ; and offend in art« 
(As moft in manners) by a love to parts* 
' Some to Conceit alone their tafte confine. 
And glittering thoughts ftruck out at every line ; 290 
PleasM with a work where nothing *s ]uft or fit $ 
One glaring Chaos and wild heasp of wit. 
' Poets like paintera,>thus unftuird to trace 
The naked nature and the living grace, 
Widi gold and jewels cover every part, 295 

^And hide with ornaments their want of art. 
True Wit is Nature to^advantage drefs*d, 
What oft was thought, but ne*er fo well exprers*d $ 
Something, whofe truth convinc*d at figh%we find, 
^ gives us back the image of our mind. 300 

Aa 

VARIATION. 

Vec 29S. Bd. 1. 

What oft was thought, butiie*er before tsraR£%'^% 
H4 



904 P O P^'$ POEMS. 

As (hades more fweetly recommend the lights 

So modeft plainhefil fett off fprightly wit. 

For works may haVe more wit than does them good* 

As bodies periih throiigh iexcefs of blood. 

Others Utrh^nga&gt all ^eir care exprefs, 505 

And value books^ as.woiiieb riten, for drefs t 
Their praife is ftiU,-the ftyle ia excellent : 
The fenfe, they humbly take upon content. 
Words are like leaves ; and wh«i« they moft abpund, 
Much fruit of fenfe beneath i% rarely f6ujid, 3 10 

Falfe eloquence, like ^e pn£»atic glafs. 
Its gaudy colours fpreada 0& every place | 
•The fac^of Na^icewe no more furvey> 
All glares alike, withput^dift^n^n gay : 
But true exprefliony like th: iifB/c))anging fun> 
Clears and improves whatever it ihines upon. 
It gilds all objc£ls> but it s^tejfs none. 
ExprefEon is the drefs of thoi^gbty and itill 
Appear^ more decent, aa inof« ftuta|>le 1 
A vile conceit in fMHx^oitt W^NrdsrexpreibM 3to 

Is like a clovm in r^gjd pfuple dftpft.t 
For different ftyles with different fubje^ fort, 
■As feveral garbs^ widi country^ town, and court. 
Some by old-words to Fame have made pretence, . 
Ancients in phrafe, mere moderns in their fenfe | SM 
Such laboured nothings, in &i ftrange a (lyle. 
Amaze th' y leam'd^ and make the Ifiained fsnlle. 

Unlucky 

VARIATION. 

Vcr. 320. Ed. I. 
A vile conceit in pompous ftyle eiq>refs^« 



'1 



I 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. t»^ 

Unlucky, as Fupgofk in the play, 

Thefe fparks with awkward vanity diTpky 

What the fine gentleman wore yefterday i 330 

And but fo mimic ancient wits at heSt, 

At apes our grandfxres in theii* doublets dreft* 

In words, as fashions, the iamje rult will biOld | 

Alike fantaftic, if too new or old : 

Be not the firll by whom the new are tiy'd / 51$ 

Nor yet the laft to lay the old afidtf. -^ . ' 

But moft by numbers judg^ a poefft ibng ; 
And fmooth or rough, with thtm> it right nr ^«T*9g •; 
In the bright Mufe tho^h thou&nd diarmt cosfpktj . 
Her voice is ail thefe tuneful fbols admiue | H^ 

Who haunt PamaiTus but to pleafe.tkeir Aar* 
Not mend their minds $ as fome to church r^air,^ 
Not for the do£b'kie, but the mufic there. 
Thefe, equal fyllables alone require, 
Though oft the ear th]e open vowels tire | .|4| 

While expletives their feeble aid do join i 
And ten low words oft creep in one dull line : 
While they ring round the fame unvary'd chimes. 
With fure returns of ftill expefted rhymes j 
Where'er you find " the cooling wjeiiern breeze," %yi 
In the next line it " whiifpers through the trees f ' 
If cryftal ftreams " with pleafing murmurs creep/* 
The reader's threatened (not in vain) with " fleep a" 
Then at the laft and only couplet fraught . « 

With fome li^cmeaning thing they call a thought, 355 

A needlefs 

VARIATION. 

Ver. ^jS. £d i.And fmooth or rou^|'^il[i^fiiHi> ^c* 



\ 



loC POP E*S POEMS. 

A needlefs Alexandrine ends the fong. 

That, like a Grounded fiiake, drags its flow length along. 

Leave fuch to tune their ofwn dull riiymes, and know 

What^s roundly fmoothy or languiihingly flow { 

And praife the eafy vigour of a line> %6o 

Where Denham^t ftrengfh and Waller's fweetnefs join, 

True eafe in writing comes from art, not chance, 

As thofe move eafieft who have leam'd to dance. 

*Tit not enough no harflmefs gives offence. 

The found muft feem an Echo to the fenfe t 365 

80ft it the fixain ^en Zephyr gently blows, 

And the finoodi ftream in finoother numbers .flows $ 

But when loud furges lafli die (bunding fliore. 

The hoarfe, rough verie ihovld like the torrent roar. 

When A)ax ftrives fome rock^s vaft weight to duiow. 

The line too labours, and the words move flow t 

Not fo when fwift Camilla fcours the plain. 

Flies o^er th* unbending com, and flums along the main, 

Hear how Timotheus* varyM lays fuxprize. 

And bid alternate paflions fall and rife ! 375 

While,' at each change, die fon of Libyan Jove 

Now bums vthh glory, and then melts with love j 

Now his fierce eyes widi fparkling fury glow. 

Now fighs fteal out, and tears begin to flow : 

Perflans and Greeks like tums of nature found, 380 

And the world^s vi6lor flood fubdued by found I 

The power of Muflc all our hearts allow, 

And what Timodieus was, is Dryden now. 



Avoid 



VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 363, 3i4» Thrfe lines are added. 
Ver. 36s. Bui when loud billows, &c« 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. Y07 

Avoid extxemes ; and (hun the fault of fucfaf 
VHio ftill are pleased too little or too mudu %t$ 

At every trifle fcom to take offeBce, 
That always ihtws great pride, or little ienie; 
Thofeheadsy asftomachs, are not fui% the bcft. 
Which naufiatte all> and nothing can digeft. 
Yet let not each gay turn thy rapture move { 390 

For fools adtnire, but men of fenfe approve t 
A« things feem large which we through mifts defeiy» 
Dulnefs h ever apt to magnify. 

Some foreign writer*, fome our own defpiie ) 
The Ancients only, or the Modems prize $ 395 

Thus Wit, like Faith, by each man is apply'd 
To one (mall ie6l, and all are damn*d befidc 
Meanly they ieek the bleffing to confine, 
And for^e diat fun but on a part to fliine. 
Which not alone the fouthem wit fublimes, 40* 

But ripens fpirits in cold northern climes $ 
Which horn the firft has flione on ages paft^ 
Enligfats the prefent, and (hall warm the laft; 
Though each may feel encreaies and decays. 
And fee now clearer and now darker days. 405 

Regard not then if wit be old or new. 
But blame the falfe, and value ftill the true. 

Some ne*er advance a judgment of their owiip 
But catch the fpreading notion of the town | 
'They reafon and conclude by precedent, 410 

And own ftale nonfenfe which they ne'er invciit. 

Some 

TARIATIOII. 

Vier* 394* Ed, i. Sciiie^Fkeiicliwrit«rt,'ftc» 



^of POP E'$ POEMS. 

Some jud^ of authors riamesy not works, and then 

(for praife nm: blame the wntings» but the men. 

Of all this fervile herd, the worft is he 

That in proud dulnefs joins with quality ; 415 

A conftant Critic at the great man*s board. 

To fetch and catry oonienfe for my Lord. 

4^at woful ftuff this madrigal would be. 

In fome ftarr*d hackney-ibnneteer, or me I 

B\4t lat a Lofxi once o^^ the happy lines, 4i]» 

How the wit brightens 1 how the ftyle refines ! 

Before his fiicnd name flies erery fkult, 

Asd each exalted ftanaa teems with thought ! 

The vulgar thus through imitatioA etr | 
As oft the Lcarli'd by being lingular $ 4x5 

So much they £com the crowd, diat if the throng 
By chance go fight, diey purpofely go wrong 1 
6o'.8chifmatics the plain believers quit. 
And are but damn*d for haring too mudi wit. 
Some praife at morning what they blame at iiigllt $ 430 
But always think the laft opinion right. * 
A Mufe by ihefe is like a miihrfs us'd, 
ITliis hour ihe > idoUc*d> th« hext abAsM $ 
While their weak heads like towns uiifertifyM, 
*Twixt fenfe amd aonfcalt daily change their fide. 435 
Aik them the caufe^ they're v^iler RMl, diey (ay | 
And ftill to-momow *s wifer JkaU to-day. 



We 



VAUIATIONS. 

'ttt.\j^, Ed. I. Nor pi-aiie nor damn, &c« 
Ver. 418. So SchiWtics tfo dull, kc. 



ESS,Ay ON CRITiei-SM. MAf 

We think our fathers fooh j Co wiie Vft g;P0W| 
Our wifer ions, no doubt, will think uft £b. ' 
O&ce Schopi-divines this zealous ifle o*ei^-ead | 444 
Who knew moft fentences was deep^ read ) 
Faith» gc^pel, alj, feem'd made to be diiputed^ 
And none had ieafe enough to be cosfuted s 
Scotifts and Thomiils, now in peace remain, 
Amidft their jUBAred cobwebs in Dixk-lane* 44^ 

If Faith itfelf has different dreflTes worn. 
What wonder modes in Wit ihould tak« dmr turn ? 
Oft% leaving what is natural and fit. 
The current folly proves the ready wit ^ 
AofX aullwrs ihiak their rqputatioB fa£is» 4s^ 

Which lives as long as fools are pleased to IsMglu 
Some» valuing thofe of their owjn fide or auuid. 
Still make themfelves the meafure of mankind s 
Fondly we think we honour merit then. 
When we but praife ourfelyes in other ^ah. 455 

Parties in Wit attend on thafe of State, 
And public fa6iaoa doubles private hale* 

Mde, 

VARI^T;U>ir. 

Va*, 447. Bctt^e^n f^is Md ver. 448W. 

The rhynti^-Clowns that gWdded Shakej^peaips's i^ 

No morfe wuh crambo entertain the flage. 

Who now<hi AAagrams their Patron praife. 

Or (ing their Ifliftrefs in Aerobe lays $ 

Ev^n pulpits p|ea^'d l^i^ mer^ f. tins of yofej . . 
. ^ow all are bani^'d to th' Jiibeipian ihore 1 

'tlw leaving w^at was natural and fit, 
■ The current folly prov'd their ready wit j 

And authors thought thdr rtpuCition fafe, 

Wliich liv'd as ln^jmA^U^ftm^i]^ ff>Jft^h*. / 



»• P5P£*S P O £ M Si 

Pride» Malke, Folly, againft'Drydcn rofci 
In various ihapeft of Parfons, Critics, Beaiiz ; 
But fenfe funrivM, when merry jefts were paft j 466 
For rifing merit will Inioy up at laft. 
Might he return^ and blefs once more our eyes, 
Vew Blackmores and new Milboums muft arife : 
Nay (hould great Homer lift his awful head^ 
Xoilus again would ftart up from the dead. 465 

Envy will merit, as its ihade, purfue; 
But, like a fliadow, proves the fubftance true : 
For envyM Wit, like Sol eclipsM, makes known 
Th' oppoiing body*« groflhefs, not its own. 
When fiift that fun too powerful beams difplays, 470 
It draws up vapoun which obfcure its rays j 
But ev'n diofe clouds at laft adorn its way^ 
Refle£^ new glories, and augment the day« 
Be thou the firft true merit to befriend ; 
His praife is loftf ^niho ftays till all commend. 47^ 

Short is the dat^ alas, of modem rhymes. 
And *tis but juft to let them live betimes^ 
No kmger now that golden age appears. 
When Patriarch-wits furviv*d a thoufand years : 
Now length of Fame (our fecond life) is loft, 480 

And bare threefcore is all ev*n diat can boaft j 
Our fons their fiaithers* failing language fee. 
And fuch as Chaucer is, (hall Dryden be. 
So when the faithful pencil has defign'd 
Some bright idea of the mafter*s mind, 48 5 

Where 

VAUATIOM. 

Ver. 4S5.:£d. 1. 80m fair idM» lee. 



ESSA.Y ON CRITICISM. m 

Where a sew world kapt out at lib ^^'**-r* i ii*j 

And ready Nature waits upon hit hand j 

When the ripe colours Toften and uniiey 

And fweetly melt into juft (hade and light; 

When mellowmg years their full perfe&ion ffft, 490 

And each bold figure juft begins to lire. 

The treachcnms colours die fair art betray^ 

And all die bright creation fades awayl 

Unhappy wit, like moft miftaken things, 
Atpnes not for that envy which it brings, 495 

In youdi alone its emp^ pfaiie we boaft. 
But foon the (hort-liv'd ranity is loft : 
Xiike fbme hk flower the early fpring fuppliet. 
That gayly blooms, but e¥*n in blooming dies* 
What is this Wit, which muft our cares employ ? 500 
The owner^s wife, that other men enjoys 
The moft our trouble ftill when moft admired. 
And ftill the more we give^ the more required i 
Whofe ^une with pains we guard, but lofe with eaie. 
Sure fome to vex, but never all to pleaie j 505 

•Tia 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 490. £d. i. When mellowing time does, &c. 
Ver. 491. The treacherous colours in few yaars decay* 
Ter. 495. Repays not half that envy, &c. 
Ver. 498. 

Like fome fair flower that in thc^ fpring does rife. 

Ter. soo. What is this wit ikat doei our caret employ f 

Ver. 5Q2. 
The more his trouble as the more adinir*d ^ 
Where wanted, fcomM^ and e&vjr*cl where acquirM ^ 
Maiiitaia*dwidipuat» butfoflvtedwidi«tfe,&c. ' 



Ui . POP E'fi P E M 8. 

^Tis what Ait yicioKm fear^ l^e rirtuous itmo. 
By fools *tis hated, and by knaves undone! 
If Wit fo much iroth ignorance undergo^ 
Ahy let not leaming too commence its foe ! 
Of oldy tlipfenet rewatds, who could excell» 510 

And fuch were prus^d who hut endeavoured well s 
Though triu]QBf^ weie to generals, only due. 
Crowns were re&rv'd to grace the ibldiers too. 
Now, they ^^i^ reach Pamanhs^ lofty crown^ 
flnpploy their pains to fyom {k>mt others down $ 5x5 
And while felf-love each jeakiu^ writer rules. 
Contending wits become the ipovt of fooli : 
But ftill ijpc trjBfrft with moft zsgict conunoad* 
For each HI avthor is as bad a friend* 
9^ wha^ ba£s eodsy and by what abj^ way&, %%4 

Aie mortals ux^g^d throu^^ &cred iuft of praiiel 
Ah, ne'er & dire a thinft of glery boaft» 
Kor in the Critic let the man be loft. 

/^ood-natme and good-ienie mvA ever join ; 

xJTo err, is human $ to ibrgtve, divine. 
«. But if in noble minds fome dregs remain 
Not yet purg'd oiF> of fjdeen and four difdain j 
Difcharge diat rage on more provddng crimes, 
Nt^ feafti d^luth in thefe fla^tioiis times. 



V4liftIATXON«S« 

^tf. if^t. £4. r. TAd mudidoes Wit, &c# 
Ver. 514. Now thofe that reach, &c. 
ycr..^i9. Ami c^chi &c. 



No 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. ,13 

No pardol) vile obfcenity fhould find, 530 

Though wit and art confpire to move your mind j 

But dulnofs with obfcenity muft prove, 

As fhameful Aire as impotence in love. 

Jn the fat age of pleafure, wealth, and eafe. 

Sprang the rank weed, and thriv'd with large increafc ; 

When love was all an eafy Monarches care i 

Seldom at council, never in a war : 

Jilts rulM the ftate; aad fbttefinen farces writ ; 

Nay wits had penfions, and young lords had wit : 

The Fair fat panting tft a Courtier's play, 540 

And not a maik went unimprovM away : 

The modeft fan was lifted up no more. 

And Virgins finird at what they bluih*d before. 

The following licenfe of a foreign reign 

Did all the dregs of bold Socinus drain ; 545 

Then un1;>elieving Priefts reformed the nation. 

And taught more pleaCant methods of falvation ^ 

Where Heaven's free (lib}e£ls might their rights difpute. 

Left God himfelf (hould fe^n too abfolute : 

Pulpits their facred fatire leam*d to fpare, 550 

And Vice admir'd to find a flatterer there 1 

Encouraged thus, Wit*s Titans bravM the fkies. 

And the prefs groan'd with licensed blafphemies. 

Thefe 

VARIATION* 

Ver. 547. The Author has here omitted the two 
following lines) as containing a National Refleflion, 
which in his ftrifter judgment he could not but difap- 
prove on any People whatever : 

Then firft the Belgians' morals were extollM^ 
We their religion had, jmd ^ey our gold. 

Vol. I. I 



If4 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Thefe Monfters, Critics I with your darts .engage. 
Here point your thusdBry and exliauft your rage I 5-59 
Yet fhun their fauh, who, fcaaydaloufly nice. 
Will needs miftake an author into vice ; 
All feems infcfted that th' infe6tedfpy. 
As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye« 

Learn then what Morals Critics ought to ihow ; 
For 'tis but half a jtidge*$ taflc^ to know. 
Tis not enough, taflfe, Judgment, learnings join ; 
In all you fpeak, let trutli. and- candour ihine : 
That not alone what to yoHP fhn^ i» due 
All may allow ^ but feek yomr fnendfliip too* 565 

Be filent always, when you doubt your fenft 5 
And fpeak) ^ough fure, wi^ feeming diffidence: 
Some pofitive, perfilKRg fops we know. 
Who, if once wrong, wHl needs be always fb $ 
But you, with pleafure^ own your errors paft^ 570 

And msJce each day a critique on the laft. 

Tis not enough your counfel ffill be true 5 
Blunt truths more mifchief-^ian nice falfehoods do ; 
Men muft be taught as if yoo taught them not. 
And things unknown proposed as ^ings forgot; 57 5^ 
Without good^lnreeding, truth is difapprov'd^ 
That only makes fuperior ^nfcbelovM. 

Be 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 561. *Tis not enough, wit, art, and learning join. 

Vcr. 564. That not alone what to your, judgment's du^e. 

Ver. 569. That if once wrong, Sec, 

Ver. 575. And things ne^er known, &c. 

Vcr. 576. Widiout good-breeding truA is not approvM. 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. 1x5 

Be niggards of advice on no pretence ; 
For the word avarice is that of fenfe. 
With mean complacence^ ne^er betray your tLiiH, 580 
Nor be fo civil as to prove unjuft. 
Fear not the anger of the wife to raife ; 
Thofe beft can bear reproof, who merit praiie. 

^were well might Critics ^1 this freedom take 
But Appius reddens at each word you fpeak, 585 

And ftai-es tremendous, with a threatening eye, 
Like fome fierce tyrant in old tapeftry. 
Fear moft to tax an honourable fool, 
Whofe right it is, uncenfur'd, to be dull ! 
Such, without wit, are Poets when they pleafe, 590 
As without learning they can take degrees. 
Leave dangerous truths to unfuccefsful fatires. 
And flattery to fulfome dedicators. 
Whom, when they praife, the world believes no more 
Thfn when they promife to give fcribbling o'er. 595 
*Ti8 beft fometimes your cenfure to reffa:aixi» 
And charitably let the dull be vain : 

Your 

NOTB. 
Ver. 586. And ftares, tremendous, &c.] This pic- 
ture was taken to himfelf by John Dennis, a furious 
old critic by profeflion, who, upon no other provoca* 
tion> wrote againft this Bflky, and its audior, in a man- 
ner perfc6lly lunatic : Fpr, as to the mention made of 
him in ver. 270. he took it as a compliment, and faid 
it was treacherously meant to caufe him to overlook this 
Abufe of his Perfon. 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 597. And charitably let dull fools be vain. 
I % 



ii« P O P E'S POEMS. 

Your filcnce there is better than jour fpite, 

For who can rail Co long as they can write ? 

Still humming on, their drowzy courfe they keep, 6o<> 

And laih'd fo long, like tops, are lafli'd aflccp. 

Falfe fteps but help them to renew the race, 

As, after ftumbling, jades will mend their pace. 

What crowds of thefe, impenitently bold. 

In founds and jingling fyllables grown old, 605 

Still run on poets, in a raging vein, 

Ev'n to the dregs and fqueezings of the brain. 

Strain out the laft dull dropping of their fcnfe, 

And rhyme with all the rage of impotence. 

Such (hamelefs Bards we have : and yet *tis true, 610 
There are as mad, abandon^ Critics toa. 
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read. 
With loads of learned lumber in his head, 
With his own tongue ftill edifies his ears. 
And always liftening to himielf appeals. 6j$ 

All books hf reads, and all he reads aflails. 
From Dryden's Fables down to Durfeys Tales : 
With him, moft authors fteal their works, or buy ; 
Garth did not write his own Dilpenfar)*. 

Kame 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 600. 

Still himiming on, their old dull courfe they keep. 

NOTE. 

Ver. 610. Garth did riot write, &c.] A common 
flander at that time in prejudice of that del'erving author. 
Our Poet did him this juftice, when that llander nvoft 
prevailed ; and it is now (perhaps the fooner for this 
veiy veriii} dead and forgottin. 



lit.-. .-.. 

"ueV : 

634- N- 



!: '. \m . ■ \ 
.•i-l'' ;«.. ;.,.M. (I til, 

I , 



trS POPE*S POEMS. 

Gaicrcxis ,:mi y g.a e j a Ibnl exempt &om pride 5 
.^tivi !cve to pra£i£. with leafins on his fide ? 

Scch cxLce were Critsc? j findi the happr few, 
A:he=:s asad Reese ct better ages knew. 
"Hk =£stey StaavritB trib !eft the ihore, 645 

S^TSSii ill lt» fek, cad darft the deeps explore j 
He fc^'d McweJy. aed diicover'd for. 
Led Vr ^ Lishc of the ^LeoDian Stur. 
P«?s, a race kn^ cscocfin^d and firee, 
Scfli toed and pnnsd cf ivrage liberty, 650 

ReceiT'd his laiws ; and ftood convinc'd >nras fit. 
Who ceeqiier*d Nature, tioald prefide o>r Wit. 

Horace ftill charms with graceful negligence, 

Ani without method talks ns into fcnfe. 

Will, like a friend, familiaily convey 655 

The trveft notions in the cafieft way. 

He, 

YARIATIOSS. 

Between ver. 6j^ and 649, 1 found the following lines» 
fince iuppreiffed by the Author : 
That bold Columbus of the realms of wit, 
Whofe firft difcovenr 's not exceeded yet. 
Led by the Light ot the Maeonian Star, 
He ftccr'd fccurely, and difcovcr'd far. 
He, when all Nature was fubdued before. 
Like his great Pupil, figh'^d, and longM for more^ 
Fancy's wild regions yet unvanquiihM lay, 
A boundleft empire, and that own'd no fway. 
Poets, Sec, 

A/ter ver. 648. the firft edition reads. 
Not only Nature did his laws obey. 
But Fancy's boundlcfs empire own'd his fway. 

Ver. 655. Does^ like a friend. Sec, 

Ver. €$$9 €$6, Thcfc lines arc not in cd. i. 



I 



N 



ESSAY ON CRITICI-SM. 119 

He, who iupreme in jadgment^ as in wit. 

Might boldly cenfure, as he boldly vrxit. 

Yet judg'td with coolnefs, thon^ he fung with fire j 

His precepts teach but 'vrbat his works infpire. 669 

Our Critics take a contrary extremey 

They judge with fury, but diey write with phlegm : 

Nor fufFers Horace more in wrong Tranffattions 

By Wits, than Critics in as wrong Q^otatbns. 

See JDionyiius Homer*s thoughts refine, 665 

And call new beauties forth from every line I 

Fancy and art in gay Petronius pleafe. 
The fcholar's learning, widi the courtier^s eafe. 

In grave Quintilian^s copious work, we find 
The jufteft rules and cleareft method joined : m 670 

Thus ufeful arms in magazines we place. 
All rangM in order, and difpos*d with grace. 
But lefs to pleafe die eye, dian arm the hand. 
Still fit for uie, and ready at command. 

Thee, bold Longinus ! all the Nine infpire^ 675 
And blefs their Critic with a Poet*s fire. 
An ardent Judge, who, zealous in his truft» 
With warmth gives fentence, yet is always jttft; 

Whofc 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 668. The fcholar's learning, and the courtier's cafe. 

Ver. 673, &c. 
Nor thus albne the curious eye to pleafe, 
3ut to be found, wh^ need ra^res, witheale. 
The Mufes fure Longinus did infpire. 
And blcfs^d thdr Critic with a Poet's fire* 
An ardent Judge^ that aealous,-&c, 

I4 



i»a P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

Whofe own example ftrengthens all his laws ; 

And is himfelf that great Sublime he di-aws. 6So 

Thus long fucceeding Critics juftly-reignMy 
Licenfe rcprefs'd, and ufefiil laws ordainM. 
Learning and Rome alike in empire grew $ 
And Arts ftill followed where her Eagles flew i 
From the fame foes, at laft, both felt their doom, 685 
And the fame age faw Learning fall, and Rome. 
With Tyranny, then Superftition join'd. 
As that the body, this cnflav'd the mind 5 
Much was believ'd, but little underilood. 
And to be dull was conftrued to be good ; 690 

A fecond deluge Learning thus o'er-ran. 
And the Monks finifliM what the Gollis began. 

At length Erafmus, that great injured name, 
(The glory of the Pricfthood, and the fhame !) 
Stem'd the wild torrent of a barbarous age, 695 

And drove thofe holy Vandals off the ftage. 

But fee ! each Mufe, in Leo's golden days. 
Starts from her trance, and trims her withered bays, 
Rome's ancient Genius, o^'er its ruins fpread. 
Shakes off the duft, and rears his reverend head. 700 
Then Sculpture and her fifter-arts revive ; 
Stones leap'd to form, and rocks began to live ; 

With 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. 689. All was believM, but nothing underftood. 

Between ver. 690 and 691. the Author omitted theie 
tr/o: 

Vain Wits and Critics were no more allowM, 
When none but Saints had licenfe to be proud. 



ESSAY ON CRITICISM. i2t 

With fweeter notes each rifing Temple ning } 

A Raphael painted^ and a Vida fung. 

Immortal Vida : on whofe honour'd brow 705 

The Poet's bays and Critic's ivy grow : 

Ci-emona now (hall ever boaft thy name, 

As next in place to Mantua, next in fame ! 

But foon, by impious arms from Latium chacM, 
Their ancient bounds the baniih'd Mufes pafs'dj 710 
Thence Arts o'er all the northern world advance. 
But Critic-learning flourifli'd moft in France : 
The rules a nation, bora to ferve, obeys 5 
And Boileau ftill in right of Horace fways. 
But we, brave Britons, foreign laws defpis^, 715 

And kept unconquer'd, and unciviliz'd j . , . 

Fierce for the liberties of wit, and bold, 
We ftill defy'd the Romans, as of old. 
Yet fome there were, among the founder few 
Of thofe who lefs prefum'd, and better knew, 720 

Who durft affert the jufter ancient caufe. 
And here reftor'd Wit's fundamental laws. 
Such Was the Mufe, whofe rules and praftice tell, 
** Nature's chief Mafter-piece is writing well." 
Such was Rofcommon, not more learn'd than good. 
With manners generous as his noble blood ; 
To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known. 
And every author's merit but his own. 
(Such, late was Walfh — the Mufe's judge and fiiend, 
vJVho juftly knew to blame or to commend} 730 

To 

VARIATION. 

Vcr. 72 J, 724, Thek lines arc not vn e<i. \» 



t%k P O P E'S P O E"M S, 

To failing void, but eealous for dcfert ; 

-The cleai'cft head^ and fhe fincereft heart. 
This humble praife, lamented ihade ! receive, 
This praife at leail a gratefiil Mufe may give : 
The Mufe, whofe early voice you taught to fmg, 735 
Prefcrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing, 
(Her guide now loft) no more attempts to rife, 
B\it in low numbers fliort excurfions tries : 
Content, if hence th' unleam'd their wants may view. 
The Icam'd refle£l on what before they knew : 740 

Carelefs of cenfure, nor too fond of fame ; 
Still pleased to praife, yet not afraid to blame ; 

* Averfe alSce, to flatter or offend ; 
Not free from £zahs> nor yet too vain to mend* 



THE 



It appears by the Motto, that the following Poem was 
written or publiftied at the Lady's requeft. But there 
are forae further circuraftances not unworthy relating. 
Mr. Cai-yl (a gentleman who was Secretary to Queen 
Mary, wife of James II. whofe fortunes he followed 
into France, author of the Comedy of " Sir Solomon 
Single," and of feveral tranflations in Dryden's 
Mifcellanics) originally propofed the fubjc6l to him, 
in a view of putting an end, by this piece of ridicule, 
"to a quarrel that was rifen between two noble fami- 
lies, thofe of Lord Petre and of Mrs. Fermor, on the 
trifling occaiion of his having cut off a lock of her 
hair. The Author fent it to the Lady, with whom 
he was acquainted ; and (he took it fo well as to give 
about copies of it. That firft fkctch (we leani from 
one of his Letters) was written in lefs than a fortnight, 
in 1 71 1, in two Cantos only, and it was fo printed; 
firft, in a Mifcellany of Bern. Lintot's, without the 
name of the Author. But it was received fo well, 
that he made it more considerable the next year, by 
the addition of the machinery of the Sylphs, and ex- 
tended it to five Cantos. We fhall give the reader 
the pleafure of feeing in what manner thefe additions 
were inferted, fo as to feem not to be added, but to 
grow out of the Poem. See Canto I. ver. 19, &c. 

This infeition he always efteemed, and juftly, the 
greateft effort of his fkill and art as a Poet. 



[ 1*5 3 

T O 

Mrs. ARABELLA FERMOR. 

MADAM, 
1 T will be in vain to deny that I have fome regard for 
■1 this piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet you 
may bear me witnefe, it was intended only to divert a 
few young Ladies, who have good fenfe and good hu- 
mour enough to laugh not only at their fcx's little un- 
guarded follies, but at their own. But as it was com- 
municated with the air of a fecret, it foon found its way 
into the world. An imperfeft copy having been offered 
]to a Bookfeller, you had the good-natm'e for my iake 
to confent to the publication of one more coire^l : This 
I was forced to, before I had executed half my defign, 
for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it. 

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the 
Critics, to fignify that part which the Deities, Angels, 
or Daemons, are made to aft in a Poem : For the ancient 
Poets are in one refpeft like many modem Ladies : let 
an aftion be never fo trivial in itfelf, they always make 
k s^pear of the utmoft impoitance. Thefe Machines 
I determined to raifc on a very new and odd foundation, 
the Roficrufian doftrine of Spirits. 

I know how disagreeable it is to make uie. of hard 
^ords before a Lady j but it is fo much the concern of 
a Poet to have his works underftood, and particularly 
by your Sex, that you muft give me leave to explain 
two or three difficult terms. 

The Roficrufians are a people I muft bring you ac- 
quainted with. The beft account I know of tiv&ifv\% vot 



126 TO MRS. PERM OR. 

^French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, which, both 
in its title and fize, is fo like a Novel, that many of the 
Fair Sex have read it for one by miftake. According 
to thefe Gentlemen, the four elements are inhabited by 
Spirits which they call Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs, and 
Salamanders. The Glomes, or Daemons of Earth, 
delight in raifchief ; but the Sylphs, whoie habitation is 
in the Air, are the beft-conditioned creatures imagin- 
able. For they fey, any mortals may enjoy the moft 
intimate fiai<niliarities with thefe gentle Spirits, upon a 
condition very eafy to all true Adepts, an inviolate pre- 
fervation of Chaftity. 

As to the following Cantos, all the paffiiges of diem 
are as fabulous as the Vifion at the beginning, or the 
Transformation at the end (except the lofs of your 
hair, which I always mention with reverence). The 
Human perfons are as fi^itious as the Airy ones : and 
the chara£l:er of Belinda, as it is now managed,, re* 
fembles you in nothing but in Beauty. 

If this Poem had as many Graces as there are in your 
Perfon, or in your ^fod, yet I could never Hope it 
ihould pafs through the world half A> uncenfured as You 
have done. But let its fortune be what it will, mine 
is happy enough, to have given me this occafion of 
ajQTuring you that I am, with the trueft efteem. 

Madam, 

Yotu- moft obedient, humble fervmt^ 

A. POPI« 



C »7 1 
THE 

RAPE OF THE LOCK. 

CANTO I. 
T T 7 HisT (}ire offence from amorous caufes ^rings^ ' 
^ ^ Wk^t mighty contefts rife from trivial things^ 
I fing— this verfe to Caryl, Mufe ! is due : 
This, ev'n Belinda may vouchfafe to view : 
Slight is tb^ ibbjcA, but not {o the praife, 5 

If She infpii(e» and He approve my lays. 

Say what ftrange motive, Goddefs! could compel ; 
A well-bred Lord t* aiTault a gentle Belle ? 
fft (aj what Granger caufe, yet unexplored, 
Could make a gentle Belle rejedl a Lord ? !• 

In taiks Co bold, can little men engage. 
And in foft bofoms dwells fuch mighty rag^ ? 

Solt through white curtains fhot a timorous ray, 
4tod ope'd diofe eyes that muft eclipfe the day : 

Now 

VARIATIONS. 

Ver. II, xa.. It was in the firft editions. 

And dwells fuch rage in fofteft bofoms then. 
And lodge fuch darmg fouls in little men f 

^^%r, 13, Sec, Stood thus in the firft edition, 

Sol through white curtains did his beams difplav. 
And ope'd thofe eyes which brighter ihone than tney ( 

. Shock juft had given himfelf the rouzing ihake. 
And Nymphs preparM their chocolate to take ; 

£• .Thrice the wrought flipper knocked againft the ground^ 
. And ftnking watches the tenth hour refound« 



lag P O P E*S P O E M S. 

Now lap-dogs give themfelves the rouzing ihakci 15 
And fleeplefs lovers, juft at twelve, awake : 
Thrice rung the bell, the flipper knocked the ground. 
And the prcfs'd watch return'd a filver found. 
Belinda ftill her downy pillow preft, 
Her guardian Sylph prolonged the balmy reft ao 

'Twas He had rumnionM to her filent bed 
The morning dream that hoverM o'er her head. 
A Youth more glittering than a birth-night beau, 
(That ev'n in flumber caused her cheek to glow) 
Seem'd to her car his winning lips to lay, 25 

And thus in whifpers faid, or feem'd to fay : 
Faireft of mortals, thou diftinguifh'd care 
Of -thoufand bright Inhabitants of Air ! 
If e'er one Vifion touch thy infant thought. 
Of all the Nurfe and all the Prieft have taught j 30 

Of aiiy Elves by moonlight fliadows feen. 
The filver token, and the circled green. 
Or virgins vifited by Angel-powers, 
With golden crowns and wreaths of heavenly flowers ; 
Hear, and believe ! thy own importance know, 35 

Nor bound thy narrow views to things below. 
Some fecret truths, from learned pride conceal 'd. 
To Maids alone and Children are reveal'd : 
What though no credit doubting Wits may give? 
The Fair and Innocent (hall ftill believe. 40 

Know then, unnumber*d Spirits round thee fly. 
The light Militia of the lower iky : 

Thefe, 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 19. Belinda ftill, &c.] All the verfes fnm hence 
to the end of this Canto were added aften^rardt* 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. X29 

Thcfe^ though unfeet^, are ever on the wing. 

Hang o'er the Box, and hover round the Ring. 

Think what an equipage thou haft in air» 45 

And view with fcorn two Pages and a Chair. 

As now your own, our beings were of old. 

And once inclos'd in Woman*s beauteous mould j 

Thence, by a foft tranfiuqn, we repair 

From earthly vehicles to thefe of air. 50 

Think not, when Woman's tranfient breath is fled. 

That all her vanities at once are dead| 

Succeeding vanities ihe ftill regains. 

And diough ihe plays no more, overlooks the caids. 

Her joy in gilded Chariots, when alive, 55 

And love of Ombre, after death furvite. 

For when the Fair in all their pride expire. 

To their firft Elements their Souls retire : 

The fprites of fiery Termagants in Flame 

Mount up, and take a Salamander*s name. 60 

Soft yielding minds to Water glide away. 

And iip, with nymp^is, their elemental tea. 

The graver Prude finks downward to a Gnome, 

In fearch of mifchief ftill on feartfa to roam. 

The light Coquettes in Sylphs aloft ffcpair, 6$ 

And fport and flutter in the fields of Air. 

Know farther yet 5 whoever fair and chafte 
Reje6ts mankind, is by fome Sylph embrac'd : 
For, ^irits, freed from mortal laws, with eafe, 
Aflnme what fexes and what fliapes they pleafe. 70 

What guards the purity of melting Maids, 
la courtly balls, and midnight mafqueradesji 

Vol. I. Jt ^^ 



,^ POPE'S P O FMS*. 

Safe from the tteachercus friend, the daring fparky 

The glance by day, the whifper in the dark, 

When Idndoccafion prompts their warm deiires, 7^ 

AVhen mufic Ibftens, and when dancing fires: ? 

Tis but their Sylph, the wife Celeftials know, 

Tho\:^h Honetlp it the word with: Men below. 

Some nymphs there are, too confcious of thtir face,. 
9or life predelHnM to the Gnomes embrace. 8q 

The& fwell iJMir pro(peA« and exialt their pride. 
When offers are difdain'd^ and* love deny'd : 
Then gay ideas croud the vacant brain. 
While Peers, and Dukts^ and all their fweeping train. 
And Garters, Stars, and Cosonets appear, gf 

And in fbfb founds, Ye«r Gi'ace falutes their ear. 
*Tis thefe that eaiiy taint the female ibul, 
Inifaiift the eyes of young Coquettes to roll. 
Teach infant cheek& a bidden hln(k to know. 
And little hearts to flutter at a Beau. 90^ 

Oft, when the woiid inagine women ftray. 
The Sylphs thrpugh myftic mazes guide their way. 
Through all the giddy circle they pmfue. 
And old imp^rUaence expel hy new. 
What tender i^d l»ut muft a vifkim fall 95 

To one man's treat, but for another's ball ? 
When Florio fpeaks, what virgin could with&nd. 
If gentle Damon did not Iqueese her hand If 
With varying vanitieS) firoHi every part;. 
They (hift the moving Toy-ihc^ of their heart f torn. 
Where wigs with wig8» with^«iid-knots fword^knaia 
ftrivc, 
-Bfavx banidk heaxix, and coaches coacW dtW^^ 



THE RAPE OF THE LQCK. sj^ 

This erring ^noruU Levity may call, 

Oh blind to truth! the Sylphs contrive it all. 

Of thefe am I, who thy prote6lion claimi 105 

A watchful i^rite, and Ariel is my name. 
Late, as I ranged the cryftal wilds of air, 
In the clear Mirror of thy ruling Star 
I faw, alas ! feme dread event impend, 
£xe to the main this morning fun defcend i i jo 

But heaven reveals not wjiat, or how, or whercT, 
Wam'd by the Sylph, oh pious maid* bewan 1 ; 
This to difclofe is al^ thy guar4i9n c^n : / 

Beware of all, but molt beware of Man ! _^^^ 
' He faid j when Shock, whp thought (he Qept too long^ 
Leap'd up, and wak*d his miftrefs yiri^ his ^^g^e. 
'Twa^ thei), Belindai if r^Rprt f^y t^?. 
Thy eyes firft open'd on 4 Billet-doux i 
Wounds, Charms, and Ardors, were no fooner i-ead. 
But all the Vifion vaiMlh'd ftom Ay h9^» no 

And jibw, unveil'd, tl)9 Toilet i|^4# difplay'd, 
Each iilvgr vafe in niy^c order laid. 
Firft, i-ob'd in white, thQ Nymph indent ^do|K% 
With head uncover *d> ^ Co^etic pQw^s, 
A heaiKDly Image ia the glais gpppais, 125 

To that ihe bends, to that hftr tft% (he l^ears ; 
Th* inferior Priefteft, at her altar^s fide. 
Trembling, bcgint the fiicrod rites of Pride. 
Unnumbered treafures ope at once, and here 
The various offpringj o/the Woiid appear i % ro 

From'each (he nicf !y 'cu|l8 widi curious tpil^ 
And decks ^ 9^^^ ^^ ^ S^^^^^?y% ^Y^^- 



f^« I> G P E • S P O E M S. 

This caiket Indians glowing gems unlocks. 

And all Arabia breathes from yonder box. 

The Tortoife here and Elephant unite, 135 

Transformed to combs, the fpeckled and the white. 

Here files of pins extend their ihinmg rows. 

Puffs, Powders, Patches, Bibles, Billet-doux. 

Now awful beauty puts on all its arms 5 

The fair each moment rifes in her charms, 140 

Repairs her fmiles, awakens every grace. 

And calls forth all the wonders of her face ; 

Sees by degrees a purer blu(h arife. 

And keener lightnings quicken in her eyes» 

The bufy Sylphs furround their darling care, 145 

Thefe iet the head, and thoik divide the hair. 

Some fold the fleere, whilft others plait the gown ; 

And Betty *s prai&M for labours not her own. 

CANTO II. 

"VT OT with n;iore glories in th' etherial pkuir, 
-*-^ The Sun firft rifes o'er die purpled main,. 
Than, iffuing forth, the rival of his beams 
LaunchM on the bofom of the filver'd Thames. 
Fair Nymphs and well-dreft'd Youths around her (hone,. 
But every eye was fixM on her alone. 
On her white breaft a fparkling Crofs (he woxe. 
Which Jews might kifs, and Infidels adore. 

Her 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 4. Launched on the bofom] From hence the poem 
continues, in the iirft edition, to ver. 46. 

The reft the winds difpers'd in empty air j * ' 
all after, to the end of this Cantoi being additiwiaL. 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. 133 

Her lively looks a fprightly mind difclofe, 

Qjiick as her eyes, and as anfix*d as thofe : 10 

Favours to none, to all (he fmiles extends i 

Oft (he reje^^s, but never once oflends. 

Bright as the fun, her eyes the gazers ftrike. 

And, like the fun, they ihine on all alike. 

Yet graceful eafe, and fweetnefs void of pride, 1 5 

Might hide her faults, if Belles had faults to hide : 

If to her (hare fome female errors fall, 

Look on her face, and you''ll forget them all. 

This Nymph, to the deflxu^Uon of mankind, . 
Koiu-ifh'd two Locks, which graceful hung behind 20 
In equ^ curls, and well confpir'd to deck 
With fhining ringlets the fmooth ivory neck- 
Love in thefe labyrinths his flaves detains. 
And mighty hearts are held in flender chains. 
With hairy fnfinges we the birds betray, 25 

Slight lines of hair fuiprize the finny prey. 
Fair treffes man's imperial race infnare. 
And Beauty draws us with a iingle hair. 

Th' adventurous Baron the bright locks admir'd j 
He faw, he wifli'd, and to the prize afpir'd. S^ 

Refolv'd to win, he meditates the way. 
By force to ravifh, or by fraud betray j 
For when fuccefs a Lover's toil attends. 
Few afk, if fraud or force attained his ends. 

For this, ere Phoebus rofe, he had implor'd 35 

Propitious heaven, and cveiy^wer ador'd 5 • 
But chiefly Love— to Lov^ an altar built. 
Of Awelye yaft Frnich Roinancesi lieatly gilt;^ 

K 3 Tbftsfe 



f 



"* '■"'■^■^POr: 



^"h tender biL ^ ' ^"^^r Joves 

f:" but the Syjph^ " ** ^"^d ^s gay/ ^ ^' 

^^' lucid r<,uadA>- """"'^ens of air . 
That feeo-d but&„v "''"*«« b«ath^ 

JJr''«''t*fp«rt.f,*^':^theftj^, 

r?"'' *«7 heZ ne^'^'"^'nff <fy» 
"Ofour* th«f ,1. ^**nfleiifr»f '^' 



«5 

AniKi 



THE RAPE CP-THE XOCK. 135 

Amid the circle on the gilded mafty 

Superior by the head) was Ariel placed .{ 70 

His purple pinions opening to the Rin^ 

He raised his azure wand, and thus begun. 

Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your chief give <ar. 

Fays, Fairies, Genii, Elves, and Dannons, hear ! 

Ye know tlie fpheres, and various talks affign'xi 75 

By laws, eternal to th' aerial kind. ' 

Some in the fields of pureft aether play, 

And baik and whiten in the blaze of day. 

Some guide the courfe of wandering orbs on high, 

Ox roll the planets through the boundlefs Ocy. So 

Some, lefs refined, beneath the moon'*s pale light 

Purfue the ftars that flioot athwart the night. 

Or fuck the mills in grofTer air below. 

Or dip their pinions in the painted ^ow. 

Or brew fierce tempeils on ihs wintery main, S5 

Or o'er the glebe diftil the iundly rain. 

Others on eaith o'er human i'ace;pMfide, 

Watch all their wayt, and aH thdr aftions guides 

Of thefe the chief the cme <of Nations own, 

: And guard with arms -dsvine the BritiSi Ulrone. 90 

Our humbler jirovtnce^s to tend the Fair, 
Not a lefs pleaiii^, .though kfs glorious ctie^ 
To fave the powder tf yam* too ntdea gak. 
Nor let th' impHfon^d eifihices exhale ^ 
To draw frefh colours from the Ytnal fbw^ra^ 5I5 
To deal from rainbows, exe they drqp in ifaow^iSy 
A brighter waih $ to curlithnt waving.hainty 
Aflift their blvAcs, siid.tiifpiretkctrai^ - ■. 

K 4 ^^^ 



s%6 P O P E*S 1? O E M S. 

Nay oft, m dreams, invention we beftow. 

To change a Flonnce, or add a Furbelow. too 

This day, black Omens threat the brighteft Fair 
That e'er deferv'd a watchful fpirit*s care j 
Some dire difafter, or by force, or flight ; 
But what, or where, the fates have wrap'd in night. 
Whether the nymph (hall break Diana^s law, 105 

Or fome ft-ail China-jar receive a flaw : 
Or ftain her honour, or her new brocade 5 
Forget her prayers, or mifs a mafquerade 5 
Or lofe her heart, or necklace at a ball ; 
Or whether Hea\'en has doomM that Shock muft fall. ' 
Hafte thep, ye fpirits ! to your charge i-cpair i 
The fluttering fan be Zepbyretta's care ; 
The drops to thee, Brillante, we confign 5 
And, Momentilla, let the watch be thine ; 
Do thou, Czifpifla, tend her favorite Lock ; 115 

Ariel himfelf fliall be the guard of Shock. 

To flfty chofen Sylphs, of fpecial note. 
We truft th* important charge, the Petticoat : 
Oft have we known that fcven-fold fence to fail. 
Though ftiff widi hoops, and arm'd with ribs of whale ^ 
Form a ftrong line about the iilver bound. 
And guard the wide circumfei^nce ai'ound. 

Whatever fpirit, carekfs of his charge. 
His poft negle6^s, or leaves the fair at Irrge, 
3hall feel fliarp vengeance foon overtake his fms, 115 
Be ftop*d in viols, or transfixed with pins } 
Or plunged in lakes of bitter wafhes lie. 
Of wedg'd ^ok ages in a bodkin*9 eye ; 

Giimt 



THE EAPE OF THE LOCK. ijy 

Gums and Pomatiimt Aiall his flight reflrain. 

While clogM he beats his filken wings in vain'; 130 

Or Alum ftypties widi contrafting power' 

Shrink his thin eflence like a fhrivel'd flower : 

i>r> as Ixion fixM, the wretch fliall feel 

The giddy motion of the whirling Mill, 

In fumes of burning Chocolate fliall glow, 135 

And tremble at the fea that froths below 1 

He fpoke; the fpirits from the fails defcend; 
Some, orb in orb, around the nymph extend; 
Some thrid the mazy ringlets of her hair : 
Some hang upon the pendants of her ear ; tfo 

With beating hearts the dire event they wah^ 
Anxious, and trembling for the birth of Fate. 

CANTO III. 
/^LosE by thofe meads, forever crown'dwith flowers, 
^^ Where Thames with pride furveys his riling towers. 
There ftands a ftrufture of majeftic frame, 
Which from the neighboring Hampton takes its name. 
Here Britain's ftatefmen oft the fall foredoom 5 

Of foreign Tyrants, and of Nymphs at home ; 
Here thou, great Anna ! whom three realms obey, 
Doft fometimes counfel take— and fometimes tea. 

Hither the heroes and the nymphs refort. 
To tafte a while the pleafures of a Court ; 10 

In 

VARIATION. 

Ver. I. Clofe by thofe meads,] Tl^ firft e4ition con- 
tinucf from this line to ver. 24. of this Canto. 



•3$ PO PE'S POEMS. 

In various talk th' itiftru£thre hours they paft. 
Who gave the ball^ or paid the ^fit iaft $ 
One fpeaks the glory of the Britiih Queen, 
And one deioihe^ t, charming Indian fcreen ; 
A third interprets nM>tions, looks, and eyes i 15 

At every word a reputation dies. 
^nufF, or the £»A> fupply each pauie of chat. 
With fjnging^ iaogking, ogling, and all that. 
Meanwhile, declining from the noon of day. 
The fun ohliquely fhocts his burning ray j » 

The hungiy Judges foon the fentence fign. 
And wretches hang that Jurymen may dine i 
The merchant &om th^ Exchange returns in peace. 
And the long labours of the toilet ceafe. 
Belinda now, whom third of fame invites, *S 

Bums to encounter two adventurous Knights, 
At Ombre fingly to decide their doom ; 
And f¥rells her breaft with conquefts yet to come. 
iSti-ait the three bands prepare in arms to join^ 
Each band the number of the facrcd nine. 3* 

Soon as Ihe fpreads her hand, th' aerial guard 
I>efcend, and fit on each important caixl : 



Firft 



VARIATIONS. 



Ver. II, II. Originally in the firft edition. 
In vaiious talk the ahearful hours they paft. 
Of, who was bit, or who capotted laft. 
Ver. »4.. And the .long labours of the toilet ceafe.] 
All that follo^rs of die game at Ombre, was added fines 
4Ke fTrft (JAdtA», /tiil vter. 105. which connected thurs : 
Sudden tbe bbifrd'Vlfti oops and !fjK»ns is cMi9ii% 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. tz9 

Firft Ariel perch'd upon a Matadore, 

Then each according to the rank they bore 5 

For Sylphs, ycbmindful of their ancient race, 35 

Are, as when women, wondrous fond of place. 

Behold, four Kings in majefly rever'd. 
With hoary whiflters and a forky beard ; 
And four fair Queens, vdiofe hands fuftain a flower, 
Th' expreffive emblem of their fofter power j 40 

Four Knaves in garbs fuceinfb, a trufty band j 
Caps on their heads^ and halbeits in their hand j 
And party-colour'd troops, a fhining train. 
Drawn forth to combat on the velvet plain. 

The fkilful Nymph reviews her force with caie : 45 
Let Spades be ti-umps ! fhe faid, and trumps they were. 

Now move to war her fable Matadores, 
In (how like leaders of the fwarthy Moors, 
Spadillio £rft, imconquerable Lord ! 
Led off two captive trumps, and fwept the board. sfit 
As many more Manillio forced to yield, 
And march'd a vi6lor from the verdant field. 
Him Bafto followM, but his fate more hard 
Gain'd but one trump, and one Plebeian card. 
With his broad fabre next, a chief in yeai's, . 55 

The hoary Majefty of Spades appears. 
Puts forth one manly leg, to fight revealM, 
The reft,. his inaay-colour'd robe concealed. 
The rebel Knave, who dares his prince engage. 
Proves the juft vi6^im of his royal rage. 60 

E!v'n mighty Pam^ that Kings^aiul Queens o'ertbrcw. 
And mow'd down armies in th(,fi£;lxtft <'^^^... 

* -^4. 



14© POP E'S P O EM S. 

Sad chance of war ! now deftitute of aid. 
Falls undiftinguifli*d by the viftor Spade I 

Thus far both armies to Belinda yield 5 65 

Now to the Baron fate inclines the field. 
His warlike Amazon her hoft invades, 
Th' imperial confort of the crown of Spades, 
The Club*s black tyrant firft her viaim dy'd. 
Spite of his haughty mien, and barbai*ous pride : 70 
"What boots the regal circle on his head, 
His giant limbs in ftate unwieldy ipread j 
That long behind he trails his pompous robe. 
And, of all monarchs, only grafps the globe ? 

The Baron now his Diamonds pours apace ; 75 

Th" embroiderM King who fhews but half his face, 
And his refulgent Queen, with powers combinM, 
Of broken troops an eafy conqueft find. 
Clubs, Diamonds, Heaits, in wild diforder feen. 
With throngs promifcuous ftrow the level green. 80 
Thus when difpers'd a routed army runs, 
Of Afia*8 ti-oops, and Afric's fable fons. 
With like confufion different nations fly. 
Of various habit, and of vaiimis dye. 
The pierc'd battalions difunited fall, 85 

In heaps on heaps ; one fate overwhelms them all. 

The Knave of Diamonds tries his wily arts. 

And wins (oh fhamcful chance !) the Queen of Hearts. 

At this, the blood the virgin's cheek foifook, 

A livid palcnefs fpreads o'er all her look ; 90 

She fees, and trembles at th' approaching ill^ 

Juft in the jAws of ruin, and Codillc, 

And 



THE RAPE OF THfi tOCK. j^t 

And now (as oft in fome diftempcr'd ftate). 

On one nice trick depends the general fate. 

An Ace of Hearts fteps forth : the King unfeen 95 

Lurk'd in her hand, and moumM hi& captive Queen : 

He fprings to vengeance with an eager pace. 

And falls like thunder on the proftrate Ace. 

The Nymph exulting fills with fliouts the (kyj 

The walls, the woods, and long canals reply. 100 

O thoughtlefs mortals ! ever blind to fate. 
Too foon dejected, and too foon elate. 
Sudden, thefe honours ihall be fnatchM away. 
And curs'd for evei* diis victorious day. 

For lo ! the board with cups and fpoons is crown'd> 
Th« berries crackle, and the mill tujms round : 
On fhining Altars of Japan they raife 
The filver lamp 5 the fiery fpirits blaze : 
From filver fpouts the grate^l liquors glide. 
While China*s earth receives the fmoaking tide : xxo 
At once they gratify their fcent and taHe, 
And frequent cups prolong the rich repaft. 
Strait hover round the Fair her airy band 3 
Some, as (he fipp'd, the fuming liquor fannM, 
Some o^er her lap their careful plumes difplayM, 115 
Trembling, and confcious of the rich brocade. 
Coffee (which makes the politician wife. 
And fee through all things with his half-(hut eyes) 

Sent 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 105. -Sudden the board, &c*] From hence the 
fiifteditiQn cgntinues to yen 134^ 



S41 P QPF/S P O E^ S,. 

Sent up in vapours ijo th^ Saron> l^n 

New (Iratagemsy tl»e radiant )«ock to gain. S2f 

^ ceafey rafli youth \ dedft ei^e 'ti» too late. 

Fear the juft Qods> aR4 thi»k of ScyUa> fate I 

Changed to a bi^dy and ient to flit k air. 

She dearly pays for N.ifus' injv^r*4 haiy l 

But wlien to mifcludF mortals htnd tbflr wiUy ^i$ 
How foon th^. find fit inftrMxnmt^ of Ul ? 
Juft ;:hen, Clan£& drew with tempting gracfi 
A two-edgM weapon from her ihining ^afe : 
So ladies, in Romance, affift their knights 
Prefent the fpear, and arm him for ^ fight. 1%^ 

He takes the gift with rcYenence, and extends 
The little engine on his fingers ends; 
This Juft behind Belinda's neck he fpread. 
As o'er the fragrant fteams ihe bends her head. 
Swift to the Lock a thoufand Sprites pepair, 135 

A thoufimd wings, by turns, blow back the hair; 
And thiice they twitch- d the diamoi^d in her ear ; 
Thrice ftie look'd back, and thrice the foe drev near. 
Juft in that inftant, anxious Ariel fought 
The clofe recefies of the Virgin's thougjif j 14» 

At 

. VARIATIOMS. 

Ver. 1 34. In the firft edition it was tiius *. 

As o'^r the fragrant ftream ihe bends her hisada 
• FW he expands the glittering foifex wide 
T* inclofe the Lock ; then joins it to divide : 
The meeting points the facred hair diffever, 
From tke ^rliead, f of ever and for evef . Yfr* t §^ 

AJJ that 18 between wat added afterwards. 



THE RAPE OF THE LOXTK. 14.5 

Af on the no&gty ia her bicaft Rdin^d, 

He watcb'd di* ideas zifing in her mindy 

Sudden he view'dy in fpite cf all her axt. 

An earthly h>Ter luzking at her heart. 

AmazM, confbs^d, he found his power expir*dy 145 

RefignM to fate» and with a iigh retired. 

The Fen* nowtprcadt the glittering forfex wide, 
T* incloie the Lock ; bow joins it, to divide. 
£v*n then, before the fatal engine clos*d> 
A wretched Sylph too fondly interpos*d $ 150 

Fate nrg'd the iheers^ and cut the Sylph in twain 
(But airy fvbftamce foon unites again)^ 
The meeting points the facred hair diifeFcr 
From the fair head, for ever, and for ever ! 
. Then flaih'd the living lightning from her eyes* 155 
And fcreams of horror rend ih* affirighted il^ies. 
Not louder flirieks to pitying heaven are caft. 
When hufbands, or when lap-dogs, breathe their Uft t 
Or when rich China vefTels fall*n from high| 
In glittering duft and painted fragments lie I i6a 

Let wreaths of triumph now my ten^plies twine 
(The Viftor cr)''d)* the glorious Priae is mine ! 
While fiih in ftreams, or birds delight in air. 
Or in a coach and fix the Brittih Fair, 
As long as Atalantis fhall be read, 165 

Or the fmall pillow grace a Lady^s bed^ 
While viiits ih^H be paid on folcmn days, 
When numerous wax-lights in bright order bbize^ 
While nymphs take treats, or a0ignAtionft ^"^^ 
So long my honour, name, and praife, (iaa^\^vfe\ i^i^^ 



144 P. O P E • S P O E M S. ' 

What Time wovdd fpare, from Steel receives its datei ' 

And monuments, like men, fubmit to £tfe ! 

Steel could the labour of the Gods deffaroy. 

And ftrike to duft A* imperial towers of Troy j 

Steel could the works of mortal pride confound, 175 

And hew triump^ial arches to the ground. 

What wonder then, fair Nymph ! thy hairs (hould feel 

The conquering force of unreiiiled fteel ? . 

CANTO IV. 

BU T anxious cares the penfive Nymph opprefsM, 
And fecret paflions labourM in her breaft. 
Not youthful kings in battle feizM alive. 
Not fcomful virgins who their charms fm-vive. 
Not ardent lovers robb'd of all their blifs, | 

Not ancient ladies when refused a kifs, 
Not tyrants fierce that unrepenting die, 
Not Cynthia when her manteau's pinn'd awry, 
E*er felt fuch rage, refentment, and defpair. 
As thou, fad Virgin ! for thy ravifh'd Hair. 10 

For, that fad moment, when the Sylphs withdrew. 
And Ariel weeping from Belinda flew, 

Umbriel, 

VARIATION. 

Ver. ix. For, that fad moment, &c.] All the lines 
from hence to the 94.th verfe, defcribe the houfe of 
Spleen, and are not in the firft edition ; inftead of them 
followed only thefe : 

While her rack*ci Soul repofe and peace requires^ 
The fierce Thaleftris fans the rifing fires. 

tnd ccmtinued at the 94^ verfe of this Canto. 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCIt. 145 

tJmbriely a duiky,, melancholy fprite. 

As ever fullyM the fair face of light, 

I>own to the central earth, his proper fcene, 15 

Ilepair*d to fearch the gloomy Cave of Spleen. 

Swift on his footy pinions flits the Gnome, 
And in a vapour reach*d the difmal dome. 
No chearfal breeze this fullen region knows. 
The dreaded Eaft is all the wind that blows* 20 

Here in a grottC(, (helterM clofe from air. 
And fcreen'd in ihades from day*s detefted glare. 
She iighs for ever on her penfive bed. 
Pain at her fide, and Megrim at her head. 

Two handmaids wait ^e throne : alike in place, 25 
But differing far in figure and in face. 
Here ftood Ill-nature like an ancient maid. 
Her wrinkled form in black and white array*d $ 
With ftore of prayers, for mornings, nights, and noons. 
Her hand is fill*d ; her bofom with l^unpoons, 30 

There affectation, with a fickly mien. 
Shows in her cheek the rofes of eighteen. 
Practised to lifp, and hang the head afide. 
Faints into airs, and languiflies with pride. 
On the rich quilt finks with becoming woe, 35 

Wrapt in a gown, for ficknefs, and for fhow. 
The fair-ones feel fuch maladies as thefe. 
When each new night-drefs gives a new difeafe. 

A confbnt Vapour o'er the palace flies $ 
Strange phantoms rifing as the mifls arife j 40 

Dreadful, as hermits dreams in hauiited fliadet. 
Or bright, as vifions of expiring maids » 

Vox. J. L "tSV^yw 



i 



J46 P O P E'S P 6i*M S, '' 

Now glaring fiends, and fnakes on rolling fpircs. 
Pale fpeftres, gaping tombs, and purple fires : 
Now lakes of liquid gold, Elyfian fcenes, 45 

And cryftal domes, and Angels in machines. 
Unnumbcr*d throngs on every fide are feen. 
Of bodies chafig*d to various forms by Spleen. 
Here living 'fea-pots ftand, one arm held out. 
One bent ; the handle this, and that the fpout : 50 

A Pipkin there, like Homer's Tripod, walks 5 
Here fighs a jar, and there a goofc-pye talks j 
Men prove with child, as powerful fancy works. 
And maids, tiirn'd bottles, call aloud for codes. 

Safe pail the Gnome through this fantaftic band, 55 
A branch of healing Splefeiti-wort hi his hand. 
Then thus addrefs'd the Power— Hail, way>^rd Queen ! 
Who rule the foe to fifty from fifteen : 
Pareiit of V4{)0Yirs, arid of female wit. 
Who give the hyfteric, or poetic fit, 60 

On various tempers aft by various ways. 

Make fome take phyfic, others faibble plays; 

Who caufe thfc proud their vifits to delay. 

And fend tlfe godly in a pet to pray. 

A Nymph thm is, that all thy power difdains, 65 

And thotifand's more m equal mirth maintains. 

But, oh I if c*er thy Gnome could fpoil a grace. 

Or raife a pimple on a beauteous face. 

Like Citron-waters matrons cheeks inflame. 

Or change complexions at a lofing game } 70 

If e'er with airy horns I planted heads, 

9r rumpled pettico^ts^ or tumbled bed$> 

Or 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. 147 

Or causM fufpicion when no foul was rude. 

Or difcompos'd the head-drefs of a Prude, 

Or e'er to coftive lap-dog give difeafe, 75 

Which not the tears of brighteft eyes could cafe : 

Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin. 

That fingle a6l gives half the world the fpleen» 

The Goddefs with a difcontented air 
Seems to rejeft 1^, though fhe grants his prayei*. 80 
A wonderous bag with both her hands ihe binds, 
Like that where once Ulyfles held the winds 5 
There (he collefts the force of female lungs^ 
Sighs, fobs, andpailions, and the war 6f tongues. 
A Vial next fhe fills with fainting fears, 85 

Soft forrows, melting griefs, and flowing tears. 
The Gnome rejoicing bears her gifts away. 
Spreads his black wings, and flowly mounts to day. 

Sunk in Thaleftris' arms the Njrmph he found. 
Her eyes dejefted, and her hair unbound. 90 

Full o*er their heads the fwelling bag he rent. 
And all the Furies iflued at the vept. 
Belinda bums with more than mortal ire. 
And fierce Thalefbis fans the rifing fire. 
O wretched maid ! fhe fpread her hands, and cry'd, 95 
(While Hampton's echoes, wretched maid ! reply'd) 
Was it for this you took fuch confbint care 
The bodkin, comb, and eflence, to prepare ? 
For this your locks in paper durance bound. 
For this with torturing irons wreath'd around ? ioq 
For this with fillets fbrainM yotir tender head, 
AodJbir^y^ly bgre the double loads of l«adl 

L 2 Qq^%\ 



t4^ t O P E*S P Ofi MS. 

Gods ! ihall the raviiher dlijplay your hair. 

While the Fops envy, and the Ladies ftare ! 

Honour forbid 1 at whofe unrival'd ihrine 105 

Eafe, pleafure, virtue, all our fex refign. 

Methinks already I your teai*s furvey. 

Already hear the horrid things they fay. 

Already fee you a degraded toaft. 

And all your honour in a whifper loft ! no 

How fliall I, then, your helplefs fame defend ? 

•Twill then be infamy to feem your friend! 

And ihall this piize, the ineftimable prize, 

Expos'd through cryftal to the gazing eyes, 

And heighten*d by the diamond's circling rays, 115 

On that n^pacious hand for ever blaze ! 

Sooner ihall grafs in Hyde-park Circus grow. 

And wits take lodgings in the found of Bow ! 

Sooner let earth, air, fea, to Chaos fall, 

Men, monkeys, lap-dogs, parrots, periih all ! 120 

She faid $ then raging to Sir Plume repairs. 
And bids her Beau demand the precious hairs : 
(Sir Plume of amber fnuff-box juftly vain. 
And the nice condu6l of a clouded cane) 
With eameil eyes, and round unthinking face, 1*5 
He firftthe fhuff-box opened, then the cafe. 
And thus broke out—" My Lord, why, what the 

"devil? 
*' Z-^s ! damn the Lock ! *fbre Gad, you muil be 

"civil! 
" Plague on't! 'tis paft a jeft— nay pr'ythee, pox ! 
<< Give her the hair*'— ^he fpokc, and rapp*d hit box. 

It 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. 149 

It grieves rae much (reply 'd the Peer again) 
Who fpeaks Co well ihould ever fpeak in vain. 
But by this Lock, this facred Lock,' I fweai*, 
(Which never more fhall join its parted hairj 
Which never more its honours fhall renew, 135 

Clipp'd from the lovely head where late it grew) 
That while my noftrils draw the vital air. 
This hand, which won it, ihall for ever wear. 
He fpoke, and, fpcaking, in proud triumph fpread 
The long-contended honours of her head. 140 

But Umbriel, hateful Gnome! forbears not lb; 
He breaks the Vial whence the fbrrows flow. 
Then fee ! the Nymph in beauteous grief appears. 
Her eyes half-languifliing, half-dn>wn*d in tears $ 
On her heav'd bofom hung her drooping head, 145 

Which, with a figh, fhe rais'd ; and thus fhe faid : 

For ever curfed be this detefted day, 
Which fnatch'd my beft, my favorite curl away! 
Happy! ah ten times happy had I been. 
If Hampton-Court thefe eyes had never feen ! 1 50 

Yet am not I the flrft miftaken maid 
By Iqve of courts to numerous ills betrayed. 
Oh had I rather unadmir'd remain*d 
In fome lone ifle, or diftant northern land ; 
Where the gilt Chariot never marks die way, 155 

Where none learn Ombre, none e'er tafte Bohea! 
There kept my charms conceals from mortal eye. 
Like rofes, that in deferts bloom and die. 
What movM my mind with youthful Lords to roam ? 
Oh I had ftay'd, and faid my prayers at home ! i5o 
L 3 'T^w^ 



150 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

*Twas this, the morning omens feem'd to tell, 

Thrice from my trembling hand the patch-box fell } 

The tottering China fhook without a wind. 

Nay Poll fat mute, and Shock was moft unkind ! 

A Sylph too wam'd me of the threats of Fate, 165 

In myiiic idfions, now believ'd too late ! 

See the poor remnants of thefe flighted hairs ! 

My hands (hall rend what ev'n thy rapine fpares t 

Thefe in two fable ringlets taught to break. 

Once gave new beauties to the fnowy neck y 170 

The fifter-lock now fits lincouth, alone, 

And in its fellow's fate forefees its own 5 

UncurlM it hangs, the fatal fheers demands, 

And tempts, once more, thy facrilegious hands. 

Oh hadft thou, cruel ! been content to feize 175 

Hairs lefs in fight, or any hairs but thefe ! 

CANTO V. 

^ HE fajd : the pitying audience melt in tears j 

^ But Fate and Jove had ftbpp'd the Baion's ears. 

In vain Thaleftris with repiroaich aJflfails, 

For who can move when fair Belinda fails ? 

Not half fo fix'd tKe ''l*rojan could remain, 5 

While Anna begg'd and Dido rag'd in vain. 

Then grave Clarifla graceful wav'd her fan 5 

Silence enfued, and thus the Nymph began. 

Say, 

VARIATION. 

Vcr. 7. Then grave Clariffa, &c.] A new CharaAer 
introduced in the fubfequent editions, to open more 
clearly the Moral of the Poem, in a Parody of the 
ipeech of Sarpedon to Glaucus in Homer, 



xH2 iji.?Z CJ T3-S 1.4jC£. . ^^ 

Tie Trui ~^r. i zsiEcn, ixui -nc 'un :xun s -iriot • * ^ 
\%'rv iccJL I -viu 111 nuL; .«uia iUti a:u. iifum^ 
\^'ij ^z^\ :i.l' .: iiu: A-igyii-iiLs must X • 

YTlj bcwi :34t i&ie-ocz Lrmzi its inmoif inv5 f 

Ucw Tu. 2r: 2II ^ciir grnii-i» all cur paiiui» 1 5 

Uclefj gccd ieije prsierTe what beauty gaiiu : 

Th2£ zsec msj iaj, when we tiie ^j?aat-b«3X grKie* 

Behold toe cr^ is. « irtx^e as ia face * 

Oh I if so daxurs all ni^it and drefs all day» 

Chazci'd ±e fm li-pox, or chac*d old age away ; 20 

Wbo wocld HOC iccra what houiewife^s cares |^\>- 

docCg 
Or who would Learn <»ie earthly diing of ufi: ? 
To patch, nay o^Ie, may become a Saint, 
Nor could it fare be fuch a fin to paint. 
Eat finccy alas ! fail beauty muft decaj^ « ^ 

Curl'd or oocurrdy fince Locks will tucn to gR>* | 
Since painted, or not painted, all fludl fade* 
And flie who fcoms a man, mult die a miud{ 
What then remains, but well onr power to uft. 
And keep good-humour itiU, whatever we lofe t 10 

And truft me, D^ ! good-humour can prevail. 
When airs, and flights, and fcreami, and fcoliling 

fail. 
Beauties in vain their pretty eyea may roll 1 
Chaiins ftrike the fight, but merit wins the foul. 

So fpoke the Dame, but no applaufe cnfued ) 35 
Belinda fn>wn*d, Thaleftris called her Prude. 

L4 To 



jSi P O PE'S P O E M S. 

To arms, to arms ! die fierce Virago cries. 

And fwift as lightning to the combat flies. 

All fide in parties, and begin th* attack 5 

Fans clap, filks ruftie, and tough whalebones crack ) 

Heroes and Heroines fhouts confufediy rife. 

And bafs and ti-eble voices (Irike the fkies. 

No common weapon in their hands arc found. 

Like Gods they fight, nor dread a moital wound. 

So when bold Homer makes the Gods engage, 45 
And heavenly brcafls with human paffions rage j 
*Gainfl Pallas, Mars j Latona, Hermes arms 5 
And all Olympus rings with loud alarms ; 
Jove's thunder roars, heaven trembles all around, 
Blue Neptune ftorms, the bellowing deeps refound : 50 
Earth fhakes her nodding towers, the ground gives way, 
And the pale ghefts ftart at the flafh of day 1 

Triumphant Umbriel on a fconce's height 
Clapp*d his glad wings, and fate to view the fight s 
Prop*d on their bodkin-fpears, the Sprites furvey 51 
The growing combat, or affifl the fray. 

While through the prefs enrag'd Thaleflris flies. 
And fcatters death around from both her eyes, 
A Beau and Witling perifh'd in the throng. 
One dy*d in metaphor, and one in fong. 60 

« O cruel 

VARIATIONS. 

Vcr. 37. To anns, to arms!] From hence the firft 
edition goes on to the Coiiiclufion, except a very few ihort 
infertions added, to j^eep the Machinery in view to the 
end of the poem. 

Ver. 53. Triumphant Umbriel] Theft four lines add- 
ed^ for the reafon before-meationed. 



THE RAPE OF THE LOCK. 153 

** O cruel Nymph ! a living death I bear," 
Cry*d Dapperwity and funk beiide his chair. 
A mournful glance Sir Fopling upwards caft, 
*< Thofe eyes are made fo killing"— was his laft. 
Thus on Maeandcr^s flowery margin lies 6$ 

Th' expiring Swan, and as he fings he dies. 

When bold Sir Plume had drawn Clarifla down, 
Chloe ftep*d in, and killM him with a frown ; 
She fmilM to fee the doughty hero flain» 
But, at her (mile, the Beau revived again. 70 

Now Jove fufpends his golden fcales in air. 
Weighs the Mens wits againft the Lady's hair | 
The doubtful beam long nods fit>m iide to fldej 
At length the wits mount up, the hairs fubfide. 

See fierce Belinda on the Baron flies, 75 

With more than ufual lightning in her eyes t 
Nor fear*d the Chief the unequal fight to try. 
Who fought no more than on his foe to die. 
But this bold Lord with manly ftrength endued. 
She with one finger and a thumb fubdued : So 

Jufl: where the breath of life his noftrils drew, 
A charge of Snuff the wily virgin threw $ 
The Gnomes dire£^ to every atom juil. 
The pungent grains of titillating duft. 
Sudden, with darting tears each eye overflows, S5 

And the high dome re-echoes to his nofe. 

Now meet diy fate, incensed Belinda cry*d. 
And drew a deadly bodkin from her fide. 
(The fame, his ancient perfonage to deck. 
Her great-grsat^grandfin wort about his neck, 90 

In 



154 POi^i?. 'S Pe-EMS. 

In three feal-rings j which after, melted down, 

P'ormM a vaft buckle for his wido\«.s ^ovvu ; 

Her infant giandamc*s whittle next it grew. 

The bells ihe jingled, and the whiiUe blew ; 

Then in a bodkin graced her mother's hairs, 95 

Which long ihe wore, and now Belinda wears.) 

Boaft not my fall (he cry*d) infulting foe ! 
Thou by fome other ihalt be laid as low. 
Nor think, to die dejefts my lofty mind : 
All that I dread is leaving you behind ! 100 

Rather than Coy ah let me dill furvive. 
And bum in Cupid's flames— but bum alive. 

Reftorc the Lock, (he cries \ and all around 
Rcflore the Locki the vaulted roofs reboimd. 
, Not fierce Othello in fo loud a firain 105 

Roar'd for the handkerchief that caus*d his pain. 
But foe how oft ambitious aims are crofs'd. 
And chiefs contend till all the prize is loft ! 
The Lock, obtained with guilt, and kept with pain, 
' I n every place is foughjt, but fought in vain : iio 

With fuch a prize no mortal nw/l be bleft. 
So heaven deciiees ! with heaven who can conteft ? 

Some thought it mounted to tlie Lunar fphere. 
Since all things loft.on earth are treafur'd there. 
There Heroes wits aic kept in ponderous vafes, 115 
And Beaux in fnuff-boxes and tweezer-cafes. 
There broken vows and death-bed alms are found. 
And lovers hearts with ends of ribband bound. 
The courtier's promifes, and ifKls* man's prayers. 
The fmilcs of harlots^ and the tears of heirs, xso 

Cages 



THE RAPE OF THE XOCK. Y55 

-Cages for gnats, and chains toyoakia-^flta, 
Dry'd buttei^ics, afid tonnes trf cafrnftjiy-.' 

But truft the Mufe— flie faw it upward rife. 
Though marked by none but quick, poetic eyes : 
(So Rome's great 6mnder to'tbe heavens withdrew. 
To Proculus alone conftfs'd in view) 
A fudden Star, it fliot thiough liquid air. 
And drew behind a radiant trail of hair. 
Not Berenice's Locks firft rofe fo bright, 
The heavens befpangling with difhevePd light. i j© 

The Sylphs behold it kindling as it flies. 
And pleasM purfue its progrefs through the ikies. 

This the Beau-monde fhall from the Mall furvey. 
And hail with mufic its propitious ray. 
This the bleft Lover fhall for Venus take, 135 

And fend up vows from Rofamonda's lake. 
This Partridge foon fhall view in cloudlefs fkies. 
When next he looks through Galilaeo's eyes 5 
And hence th' egi-egious wizard fhall foredoom 
The fate of Louis, and the fall of Rome. 140 

Then ceafe, bright Nymph ! to mourn thy ravifh'd 
hair. 
Which adds new glory to the ihining fphere I 
Not all the treffes that fair head can boaft, 
Sh^l draw fuch envy as the Lock you loft* 

For, 

VARIATION. 

Ver. 131. The Sylphs behold] Thefe two lines 
added for the fame reafon, to keep in view the Ma- 
chinery of the Poem* 



15^ POPE'S F OE M S. 

For, after all die mmdencif your qrcy 145 

When, after nnllions flain, yourfelf ihall die{ 
When thofe fair fons ihall fet, as fet ihej nrafl^ 
And all diofe trefles (hall be laid in duft. 
This Lock, the Mnie (hall confecrate to fame. 
And 'midft the ftiurs infcribe Belinda's nanne* 155 



ELEGY 



C »S7 3 
ELEGY 

TO THE MEMORY OF AN 

UNFORTUNATE LADY. 

WHAT beckoning ghoft, along the moonlight 
(hade, 
Invites my fteps, and points to yonder glade? 
'Tis ihe !— 'bat why that bleeding bofotti gor'd. 
Why dimly gleams the vifionary (word ? 
Oh ever beauteous, ever friendly ! tell, 5 

Is it, in heaven, a crime to love too well ? 
To bear too tender, or too firm a heart. 
To Z&. a Lover's or a Roman's part? 
Is there no bright reverfion in the iky. 
For thofe who greatly think, or bravely die ? 10 

Why bade ye elfe, ye Powers ! her foul afpire 
Above the vulgar flight of low defire ? 
Ambition firft fprung from your bleft abodes ; 
The glorious fault of Angels and of Gods t 
Thence to their images on earth it flows, 1 5 

And in the breads of Kings and Heroes glows. 
Moft fouls, 'tis true, but peep out once an age. 
Dull fuUen prifoners in the body's cagej 
Dim lights of life, that bum a length of years, 
Ufelefs, unfeen, as lamp^ in fepulchres ; 10 

Like Eaftem Kings a lazy ftate they keep, 
Ab4, clQk CQnfin*d to their own palace^ fleep. 



15S POP E'S POEMS. 

From thefe perhaps (ere Nature bade her die) 
Fate fnatch*d ha: ewly to the pitying iky. 
As into air the purer ipirits flow, 25 

And feparate from iheir kindred di-egs below ; 
So flew the foul to its congenial place. 
Nor left one virtue to redeem her race. 

But thou, falfe guardian of a charge too good. 
Thou, mean deferter of thy brother's blood ! 30 

See on thefe ruby lips the trembling breath, 
Thefe cheeks, iv>w fading at the blaft of death j 
Cold is that breaft which warm'd the world before. 
And thofe love-darting eyes muft roil no more. 
Thus, if eternal Juftice niks the ball, 35 

Thus fliall your wives, and thus your children fall : 
On all the line a fudden vengeance waits. 
And frequent heries ihall beiiege your gates ^ 
There pafTengers ihall ftand, and pointing fay, 
(While the long funerals blacken all the way) 40 

Lo ! thefe were they, wfaofe fouls the Furies fteerd> 
And curfl with hearts unknowing how to yield. 
Thus unlamented pafs the proud away. 
The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day ! 
So perifli all, whofe breafk ne*er leam*d to glow 45 
For others good, or melt at others woe. 

What can atone (oh ever-injur*d (hade !) 
Thy fate unpityM, and thy rites unpaid ? 
No friend^s complaint, no kind domeftic tear 
Pleafed thy pale ghoft, or graced thy mournful bkr t 50 
By foreign hands thy dying eyes were closM^ 
By foreigu handi thy decent limbs compos'ilf 

By 



ELEGY ON A LADY. 



159 



By foreign hands thy humble grave adom'd. 

By flrangers honoured, and by flrangers movrnM I 

What though no friends in fable weeds appear, 55 

Grieve for an hour, perhaps, then mourn a year, 

And bear about the mockery of woe 

To midnight dances, and the public Ihow ? 

Wliat though no weeping Loves thy afhes grace. 

Nor polifh*d. marble emulate thy face ? 60 

What though no facred earth allow thee room, 

Nor hallow'd dirge be mutter'd o*er thy tomb ? 

Yet fliall ihy grave with rifing flowers be drefsM, 

And the green turf lie lightly on thy breaft : 

There ihall the mom her eailieft tears beftow, 65 

There the firll roies of the year fhall blow j 

While Angels with their lilver wings o'erfhade 

The ground now facred by thy reliques made. 

So, peaceful refts, without a done, a name. 
What once had beauty, titles, wealth, and fame. 70. 
How lov'd, how honour*d once, avails thee not. 
To whom related, or by whom begot j 
A heap of duft alone remains of thee, 
'Tis all thou art, and all tlie proud fliall be ! 

Poete themfelves muft fall, like thofe they fung, 75 
Deaf, the praisM ear, and mute the tuneful tongue. 
Ev^n he, whoie foul now melts in mournful lays. 
Shall fliortly want tlie generous tear he pays ; 
Then from his clofmg eyes thy form fliall part. 
And the laft pang fliall tear thee from his hcait, 80 

Life*$ idle buflnefs at one gafp be o*er, 
Th^ MuTe fprgot, and thou belov'd no more ! 

PRO- 



t 16* 1 

PROLOGUE 

T O 

Mr. ADDISON'S TRAGEDV 

O F 

C A T O. 

^T^ O wake the foul by tender ftrolces of art, 
•*- To raifc the genius, and to mend the heart j 
To make mankind in confcious virtue tx>ld. 
Live o'er each fcene, and be what they behold i 
For this the Tragic Mufe firft trod the ftagc, 5 

Commanding tears to ftream through every age $ 
Tyrants no more their favage nature kept» 
And foes to virtue wonder'd how they wept. 
Our author Ihuns by vulgar fprings to move 
The hero's glory, or the virgin's love 5 xo 

In pitying Love, we but our weaknefs fhow. 
And wild Ambition well deferves its woe. 
Here teais ihall flow from a more generous caufe> 
Such tears as Patriots flied for dying Laws : 
He bids your breads with ancient ardour rife, 15 

And calls forth Roman drops from Britiih eyes. 
Virtue confefsM in human fhape he draws. 
What Plato thought, and godlike Cato was : 
No common object to yom* fight difplays. 
But what with pleafure Heaven itfelf furveys, 20 

Abravt 



PROLOGUE TO CATO. 161 

A brave man ftniggling in the ftorms of fate. 

And grfeatly falling with a falling ftate. 

While Cato gives his little Senate laws. 

What bofom beats not in hifi Country's caufe ? 

Who fees him a^, but envies every deed ? 45 

Who hears him groan, and does not wi(h to bleed ? 

Ev'n when proiid Caefar ^midft triumphal cars. 

The fpoUs of nations, an<i the pomp of wars. 

Ignobly vain, and impotently great, 

Show*d Rome her Cato's figure drawn in ftate { jo 

As her dead father's revjerend image paft. 

The poinp was darkened, and the day o'ercaft ; 

The triumph ceas*d, tears gufli'd from eveiy eye j 

The world's great Vi6lor pafs'd unheeded by j 

Her laft good man dejefled Rome ador'd, 35 

And honoured CaBfar*s lefs than Cato*s fwoird. 

Britons, attend : be worth like this approvM, 
And (how, you have the virtue to be mov'd. 
With honeft fcom the firft fam'd Cato yiew'd 
Rome learning arts from Greece, whom ihe fubdued j 
Your fcene prtcaiiouily fubfifts too long 
On French tranflation, and Italian fong. • 
l3arc to have fenfe yourfelves 5 affert the ftage. 
Be juftly warmM with your own native rage : "^ 
Such plays alone ihould win a Britiih ear, 45 

As Cato*8 ielf had not difdain'd to hear. 



voi<r, M EPi- 



t 1<^* I 

EPILOGUE 

T O 
Mr. ROWE'S jane SHORE. 

]^£8IGNED FOR MRS. OLDPIELD. 

PRODIGIOUS this I the Fnul-ene of our Play 
From her own (ex (hould mercy find, to-day ! 
Vou might have held the pretty head afide, 
Peep'd in yonr fans, beea feriou»y thus, an j cryM, 
The Play may pafs— but that ftrange creature. Shore, 
I can't-^indeed now— I fo hate a whore !— 
Juft as a blockhead rubs his thoughtlefs (kull. 
And thanks his ftars he was not bom a fool $ 
So from a fifier finner you (hall hear, 
" How ibangely yoti expofe yourfelf, my dear !" lo 
But let me die, all raillery apart. 
Our fex are (till forgiving at their heart ; 
And, did not wickod cuftom fo contiive^ 

We*d b« the beft, good-natuvM things alive. 
There are, 'tis true, who tell another tale, 15 

That virtuoiM ladies envy while they rail ; 

Such rage without betrays die fire within $ 

In fome clofe comer of the ibul, they fin ; 

Still hoarding up, moft (eandaloufly nice, 

Amidft their virtues a reierve of vice. 20 

The godly dame, who flefhly failings damns, 

Scolds with her maid> or with her chaplain crams. 

Would 



fePILOfeUE TO JANE SHORE; 163 

Would you enjoy foft nights, and folid dinners ? 
Faith, gallants, board with faihts, and I>ed with finners. 
Well, if our Author in the Wife offends, 15 

He has a Hu(band that will make amends : 
He draws him gentle^ tender, and forgiving, 
And fuge fuch kind good creatures may be living. 
In days of old they pardon'd breach of vowsy 
Stem Cato*s felf was no rfclfentlefs fpouie : 30 

Plu— Plutarch, whafshis natne, that writes his life? 
Tells us, that Cato deaily lov'd his wife : 
Yet if a friend, a night or fo, ihould need hev. 
He'd recommend her as a fpecial breeder. 
To lend a wife, few here would fcniple make^ 35 

But, pray, which of you all would take her back ? 
Though with the Stoic Chief our Stage may ring* 
The Stoic Huiband was the glorious thing. 
The man had courage, was a fage, ^tis true. 
And lov'd his country— but what's that to you ? 40 
Thofe ftrange examples ne'el* were made to fit ye, 
But the kind cuckold might infbufl the City s 
These many an honeft man may copy Cato, 
Who ne'er faw naked fwoni, or lookM in PlatOi 

If, after all^ yott think it a difgrace, 45 

That Edward's Mifs thus perks it in your facei 
To fee a piece of fasHng ffelh and bloody 
In all the reft for impudently good ; 
Faith let the modeft Matrons of the toi^n 
Come here in crowds^ and ftare the ftrumpet down. 50 



[ i6+ ] 

SAPPHO 

T O 

P H A O N. 

^^ A Y, r<jvely youth, that doft my heart command^ 

"^ Can Phaon's eyes forget his Sappho's hand ? 

IVfuft then her name the wretched writer prove. 

To thy remembrance loft, as to thy love ? 

Afk not the caufe that I new numbers chufe, 5 

The lute neglcftcd, and the Lyric Mufe ; 

Love taught my tears in fadder notes to flow. 

And tun'd ray heart to Elegies of woe. 

I burn, I bum, as when through ripenM com 

By driving winds the fpreading flames are borne. 10 

Phaon to Etna's fcorching fields ^tires. 

While I conitmie with more than Etna's fires ! 

No 

ECqyiD, ut infpe6la eil jfhidioiae libera dextiae» 
Protinus eft oculis cognita noftra tuis ? 
An, nifi legifles audloris nomina Sapphds, 

Hoc breve nefcires unde movetur opus ? 
Forfitan et quare mea fint akema sequiras 5 

Carmina, cum lyricis fim magis apta Hiodis. 
Flcndus amor mens eft : elegeia flebile caimen ;. 

Non faclt ad lacrymas barbltos ulla meas. 
Uror, ut, indoftutis ignem exercentibus Euris, 

Fertilis accenfis meflibus ardct ager. jo 

Arva Phaon celebrat diverfa TyphoVdos ^tnae. 

Me color ^UMCQ U9a nuuor i^e coquit. 



SAPPHO TO PH A ON. 165 

No more my fool a charm in mufk finds, 

Mufic has charms alone for peaceful minds. 

Soft fcenes of folitude no more can pleafe, 1 5 

Love enters there, and I'm my own difeafe. 

No more the Lefbian dames my paflion moye. 

Once tlie dear objedls of my guilty love $ 

All other loves are loft in only thine, - 

Ah, youth ungrateful to a flame like mine! 20 

Whom would not all thofe blooming charms furprlze, 

Thofe heavenly looks, and dear defluding eyes ? 

The harp and bow would you like Phoebus bear, 

A brighter Phoebus Phaon might appear ; 

Would you with ivy wreathe your flowing hair, 25 

Not Bacchus^ felf with Phaon could compare : 

Yet Phoebus IqvM, and Bacchus felt the dHame, 

One Daphne warm'd, and one l!he Cretan dame ; 

« Nymphs 

Nee mihi, difpofltis quae jungam carmina nervis, 

Provenjunt; vacuae carmina mentis opus. 
Nee me Pyrrhiades Methymniadefve puellae> 1 5 

Nee me J<efl>iadum caetera turba juvant. 
Vilis Ana6lorie, vilis mihi Candida Cydno .: 

Non oculis grata eft Atthis, ut ante, meis $ 
Atque aliae centum, quas non fine crimine amayi ; 

I Improbe, multarum qupd fult, unus habes. a« 

Eft in te facies, funt apti iufibus annii* 

O facies oculis inddiofa meis I 
Sume fldem et pharetram } fies manifeftus Apollo ; 

Apcedantcajpiticomuaj Bacchus eri^. 
Ms 



t6$ P O PE'S POEMS, 

Nymphs that in verfe no more could rival me, 

Then ev'n thofe Gods contend in (;hanns with thpe. 3^ 

The Mufes teach me all their fofteft lays. 

And the wide world refounds with Sappho> praife. 

Though gi;eat ^lc?eus more fublimely iings. 

And ftrikes with bolder rage the founding ftrings. 

No lefs renown attends the moving lyje, 35 

Which Venus Jpncs, and all her Loves infpire j 

To me what nature has in <;hanns deny'd. 

Is well by wit's more lailing flames fupply'd. 

Thpugh ihort xxjy ftature, yet my najne extends 

To heaven itfelf, and eartb'ft remotefi en4s. ^, 

Brown as I am, an Ethiopian dame 

Infpir'd young P^eus with a geperous fi^mp $ 

Tuitles and dove^ of differing hues imite. 

And glofly jet is pajr'd with illining white. 

If 

£t Phoebus Daphnen, et Gnpfida Bacchus amavit ; 

Ncc norat lyricos ilia, ycl ilia modos. 30 

At mihi Pegafides blandiflima carmina diftantj 

Jam caaitur totanomen in orbe meum. 
Nee plus Alcacus, confors patriaeque lyraequp, 

Laudis habet, quapavis grandius ille fonet. 
Si mihi difficilis formara natura negavit j 31 

Ingenio formae damna rcpendo meae. 
Sum breyis-; at nomen, quod terras impleat omnes. 

Eft mihi ; menftxraxn nominis ipfa fero. ^q 

Candida fi non fuiq, placuit CepheVa Perfeo 

Andromede, patriae fufca colore fuae : 
£t variis albae jimguntur faepe columbae^ 

£t niger a yiridi turtur amatur aye. 



SAPPHO TO PH A ON. x^j 

If to no charms thou wilt thy heart refign, 45 

But fuch as merit, fuch as equal thine. 

By none, alas ! by none thou canft be mov'd: 

Phaon alone by Phaoh muft be lov'd ! 

Yet once thy Sappho could thy cares employ. 

Once in her arms you centered all your joy : 50 

No time the deai* remembrance can remove;. 

For, oh ! how vaft a memory has love ! 

My Mufic, then, you could for ever hear. 

And all my words were muiic to your «ar« 

You ftopp'd with kilTes my enchanting tongue, 55 

And found my kiffes fweeter than my fong^ 

In all I pleas'd, but moft in what was beft j 

And the laft joy was dearer than the reft. 

Then with each word, each glance, each motion fir'd, 

You ftill enjoy'd, and yet you ftill defir*d, 60 

Till all diflblving in the trance we lay. 

And in tumultuous raptures dyM away. 

The 

Si, nifi quae facie peterit te digna vlderi, 45 

Nulla futura tua eft 5 nulla futura tua eft. 
At me cum legeoes, etiam foimofa videbar; 

Unam jurabas ufque decere loqui. 
Cantabam, memlhl (meminerunt omnia amantes) 

Oibula cantanti tu niihi rapta dabas. 50 

Haec quoque laiidabas ; oninique a parte placebaci, 

Sed turn praecipue, cum fit amoris opus. 
T^nc te plus folito lafcivia noftra juvabat, 60 

iCl^rebiaque ii;ibbjiitas, aptaque yai>a joco j 



i6S POPE'SPOEMSw 

The. fifir Sicilians now thy foul Infiaznc ; 
Why was I horn, yc Godi ! a Leibiui cLane ? 
But ah, beware, Sicilian njinphs! nor boaft 
Thit wandering heart which I fo lately loft j 
Nr>r he with all thofc tempting words abas'c^ 
Thcfe tempting words were all to Sappho os'd. 
Anrl you that rule Sicilians happy plains, 
Have pity, Vemis, on your poet's pains ! 
Shall foitune ftill in one fad tenor run. 
And ftill increafr the woes fo foon begun ? 
Iniir'd to fbrrow from my tender years, 
My pareilt's a/hcs drank my eai ly tears : 



My 



Quique, ubi jam ambonim fticrat confula^v>oli^itat, 

Plurimtis in laflb corporc languor erat. 
Nunc tibi Sicelidcs veniunt nova praeda puellae ; 

Quid mihi cum Lelbo ? Sicelis cfle volo. 
At vos eiTonem tcllure remittitc noftrum, 

Nifiaden matrrs, Nifiadefque nurus. 
Neu vofl decipiant blandne mcnducia linguae : 65 

Qu^e dicit vobis, dixcrat ante mihi. 
Tu quoque quae montrs cclcbras, Erycina, Sicanos, 

(Nam tuft fum) vati confide, diva, tuae. 
An gravis inccptum peragit foituna tenorem ? 70 

Ki manet in curfu fcmper accrba fuo? 
Sex mihi natalcs icrant, cum lc6la parentis 

Ante diem lacrymns offa biberc mcas. 
Arfit innpg fratcr, villus mcrctricis amore; 

Miftaquc cum turpi dumna pudore tulit. 



SAPPHO TO PHAOH. 169 

My brother next, negle^Ung wealth and fame^ 75 

Ignobly burn*d in a deftru6live flame ; 

An infant daughter late my giiefs increas'd. 

And all a mother's cares diflraft my breaft. 

Alas, what more could fate itijblf impofe, 

But thee, the lail and greatefl of my woes ? 80 

No more my robes in waving purple flow, 

Nor on my hand the fparkling diamonds glow; *■ 

No more my locks in ringlets curPd diffufe 

The coftly fweetnefs of Arabian dews> 

Nor braids of gold the varied trefles bind, 85 

That fly diforder'd with the wanton wind : 

For whom fhould Sappho ufe fuch arts as thcfe f 

He's gone, whom only ihe defir'd to pleafe ! 

Cupid^s 

Fa£lus inops agili peragit freta coerula remo : 75 

Quafque male amifit, nimc male quaerit opes : 
Me quoque, quod monui bene multa fldeliter, odit. 

Hoc mihi libertas, hoc pia lingua dedit. 
Et tanquam deflnt, quae me fine fine fatigent, 

Aceumulat curas fllia parva meas. 80 

Ultima tu noftris accedis caufa querelis : 

Non agitur vento noftra carina fiio. 
Ecce jicent coUo fparfi fme lege capilll 5 

Nee premit articulos lucida gemma rneos* 
Vefte tegor vili ; " nullum eft in crinibus aurum : 85 

Non Arabo nofter rore capillus olet. 
Cui colar infelix ? aut cm placuifle laborem ? 

lUe mihi cultus unicus au6lor abeft 



;i7» ^ OPE'S POEMS. 

No charge I gave you« and no charge o»uid give. 

But this. Be mlndfal of our loyes, and live. iso 

Now by the Nine^ thofe powers adored by me. 

And Love, the God that ever waits on thee. 

When firft I heard (from whom I hardly knew} 

That you were fled> and all my joys with you. 

Like fome tad ftatue, fpeechlefs> pale I ftpod, 115 

Grief chilled my breaft, and ftopp'd my freezing blood ; 

No figh to rife, no tear had power to flow, 

Fix*d in a ftupid lethargy of woe : 

But wh^en its way tfa' impetuous paflion found, 

I rend my trefles, and my breaft I wound j x 30 

I rave, then weep $ I curfe, and then comphun ; 

Now fwell tp rage, now melt in tears again. 

Not fiercer pangs difira£l the mournful dame, 

Whofe fiift-bom infant feeds the funeral flame. 

My 

Non mandata dedi $ neque enim mandata dediflem 

Ulla, nil! ut nolles immemor efle mei. 120 

Per tibi, qui nunquam longe difcedat, Amorem, 

Perque novem juro, nuniuisi noftra, Deas ; 
Cum mihi nefcio quis, Fugiunt tua gaudia, dixit ; 

Nee me flere diu, nee potmfle loqui : 
Et lacrymae deerant oculis, et lingua palato : 

Aftri^hmi gelido frigore pectus erat. 
Poftquam fe dolor inyenit i nee pedlora plangi^ 

Nee puduit fciifis exululare comis : 
Non aliter quam ii nati pia mater adempti 

Portet ad qctru^s coipus inane rogosr 



SAPPHO TO PhXoN. 173 

My fcornful brother with a fmile appears, 135 

Infults my woes, and triumphs in niy tears^ 
His hated image eVer haunts my eyes 5 
And why this grief ? thy daughter lives, he cries. 
Stung with my love, and furious with defpair. 
All torn my garments, and my bofom bare, 140 

My woes, thy crimes, I to the world ptocMm; 
Such inconfiftent things are love and ihame t 
'Tis thou art all my care and my delight. 
My daily longing, and my dream by night: 
O night, more pleaiing than the brightcft day^ 145 

When fancy gives what abfence takes away. 
And, drefs'd in all its vifionary charm*, 
Reftores my fair deferter to my arms 1 
Then round your neck in wanton wreaths I twine. 
Then you, methinks, as fondly circle mine : 150 

A thoufand 

Gaudet et e noftro crefcit moerore Charaxus 135 

Prater; et ante oculos itque reditque meos. 
Utque pudenda mei videatur caufa doloris i 

Quid dolet haec ? certe filia vivit, ait, 
Non veniunt in idem pudor atque amor : omne videbat 

Vulgus i ei'am lacero pe6lus aperta finu. 140 

Tu mihi cura, Phaon ; te fomnia noftra reducunt 3 

Somnia formofo candidiora die. 
Illic te invenio, quanquam regionibus abiis ; 145^ 

Sed non longa fatis gaudia fomnus habet. 
Saepe tuos noftra cervice onerare lacertos, 

Saepe tuae videor fuppofuifle meo^* 150 



174 f or£'$ P6£'Ml 

A thou&nd tender wonU I hear.aad ^Hsakl 

A thonfand mfilting kiflet give^ aoad take t 

Then fiercer jofs^ I bluih to jnention theiby 

Yety ^Mlt I bMbk> confiBft hommodxtiyey pleafi. 

But wheni witk day» the fweet delufions fly^ - 15} 

And all thiiigt wake to life and )oy» but X^ 

As if oneenipce fbr&keny I coinpkkitf 

And dole my ejo to dream of joii again t 

Then firantic nfe» aM like Anne Fory rave 

Through 1<UM^ plain*} and thnragkthe filent grof^^ 

A% if the^ikpt 0Nyve» and lonely fkina ^ 

That knew n^ plcafiuea, cookk relieva |toy-p«iBt« 

I view the Groi^ once tli» icene of lo^ . 

The rocks anmndi ithahilging looft abonet 

Tltl 

Blandior iaterdum ; verifque fimillima verba, 

Eloquor $ et vigilant fenfibus ora meis. _ 
Ofcula cognofco ; quae tu committei*e linguacj 

Aptaque eonfiidras accipere, apta dare. 
Ulteriora pndet narrare ; fed omnia fiunt, 

Et juvat, et fine te non libet eflb mihi. 
At cum fe Titan oAendit, et omnia fecum | f 5^ 

Tarn cito me* lomnos deftitoifie qtienir* 
Antra nemuiqtie peto, tanquam ncmus antraque proM 
fint. a^ 

Confcia delidis ilia fnere tuis. 
fihic mentie inops, ut qnam liirialis EHchdier 

Impulit> in eello crine jacente feior. 
Antra vident ocidi fcabro pendentia t(^o« 

Quae mihi Mygdottit l&annom iaifaur erantr 



SAPPHO TO PHAQN. ,75 

That chann'd me more, with native mofs o*ergrown» 

Than Phrygian marhk, or the Parian ftone. 

I find the ihades that veird our joys before; 

But, Phaon gone, thpfe ihades delight no more. 

Here the prefs'd herbs with bcaodiog tops beti^y 

Where oft entwined in amorous folds we lay } 17^ 

I kifs that earth which once was prefsM by yon. 

And all with tears the withering hcxbs bedew. 

For thee the fading trees afipear to i|Kmni, 

And birds defer their fongs till thy return t 

Night ihades the groves, and all in iUence lifl^ 175 

All but the mQUtnful Philomel and 1 1 

With mournful Philomel I join my ftraAD». 

Of Tcreus (he, of Phaon I conflaia. 

A fpring 

Invenio fyivam, quae faepc cubitia nobis X65 

Piaebuit,' et multa texit opaca coma. 
At non invenio dominum fylvaeque, meumque. 

Vile folum locus eft : dos erat ille loci. 
Agnovi preflas noti mihi ceipitis herbas s %j9 

De noftro curvum pondere gramen erat. 
Incubui, tetigique locimi qua parte fuifti ; 

Grata prius lacrymas combibit herba meat. 
Qoinetiam rami pofitis lugere videntur 

Frondibus ; et nullae dulce qujnimtur avcs. 
Sola virum non ulta pie moeftiffima mater 175 

Concinit liinarium Daulias ales Ityn. 
Ales Ityn, Sappho defertos cantat amores > 

Ha^tenus, ut media caetera ao^ ilknt. 



tj6 P O P E • S P O E M S. 

A fpring there is, whofe filver waters (how. 
Clear as a glais, the (hining fands below 3 iStd 

A flowery Lotos ipreads its arms above. 
Shades all the banks, and feems itfelf a grove ; 
Eternal greens die mcfff mar^n grace, 
Watch'd by the fylvan genius of the place. 
Here as I lay, and fwelPd with tears the flood, ^85 
Before my fight a watery Virgin flood : 
She flood and cry'd, ** O yon that love in vain ? 
** Fly hence, and feek the fair Leucadian msun. 
•* There flands a rock, from whofe impending fteep 
** Apollo's fane furveys the rolling deep j 196 

** There injurM lovers leaping from aSore, 
** Their flames exiingiiiih, and forget to lov6. 
** Deucalion once with hopelefs fury burnM, - 
** In vain he lov'd, relentlefs Pyrrha fcom'd : 
*' But when from hence he plungM into the mainy 195 
** Deucalion fcom'd, and Pyrrha lov'd in vain. 

** Haftc/ 

£fl nitidus, vitroque magis perlucidus omni, 189 

Fons facer ; hunc multi numen habere putant. 
Quern fupra ramos expandit aquatica lotos, 

Una nemus 5 tenero cefpite terra viret. 
Hie ego cum laflbs pofuiiTem fletibus artus, 185 

Conftitit ante oculos NaVas una meos. 
Conftitit, et dixit, " Quoniam non ignibus aequls 

" Ureris, Ambracias terra petenda tibi. 
*' Phoebus ab exceHb, quantum patet, afpicit aequorr 

** Aftiacum populi Leucadiumque vocant, 
•' Hinc fe Deucalion Pyrrhae fuccenfus amore 

•< Miiit, et illacfo corporc prcflit aquas, 1^5 



\ 



SAPPHO TO PHAON. 177 

«< Hafte, Sappho, haft^, fi'om high Leiicadia throtir 

<* Thy wretched weight, nor dread the deeps below l" 

She fpoke, and vanifli'd with the voice— I rife. 

And filent tears fall trickling from my eyes. 200 

I go, ye Nymphs ! thofe rocks and feas to prove j 

How much I fear, but ah, how much I love ! 

I go, ye Nymphs, wher< furious love infpires $ 

Let female fears fubmit to female fires. 

To rocks and feas I fly from Phaon's hate, 205 

And hope from feas and rocks a milder fate. 

Ye gentle gales, beneath my body blow. 

And foftly lay me on the waves below I 

And thou, kind Love, my finking limbs Cv^ahif 

Spread thy foft wings, and waft me o^er the main, 

Nor let a lover^s death the guiltlefs flood prophane ! 

On 

** Nee mora : verfus Amor tetigit lentiflima Pyrrhae 

<< Pe£lora ; Deucalion igne levatus erat. 
« Hanc legem locUs rile tenet, pete protinus altam 

<< Leucada; nee faxodefiluifle time.** 
Ut monuit, cum voce abiit. Ego frigida Aitgo t coo 

Nee gravidae lacrymas continuere genae. 
Ibimus, O Nymphae, mon^taque faxa petemus« 

Sit procul infano villus amore timor. 
Quicquid erit, melius quam nunc erit : aura, fuHtiD. 

£t mea non magnum corpora pondus habent. 
Tu quoque, mollis Amor, pennas fuppone cadenti s 

Ne fim Lucadiae mortua crimen ai|uae. 
Inde chelyn Phoebo communia munera ponam s 

£t fub ea verfus unus et alter erunt« 
Vql. I. N 



478 P O P E'S P O E M S. . 

On Phoebus' flirine my harp I'll then beftow. 
And this Infcription fliall be placed below. 
** Here ihe who fung, to hbn that did inlpire, 
^ Sappho to Phoebiis confeci*ates her Lyre $ 215 

*< Wliat fxiits with Sappho, Phoebus, fuits with thee ; 
•* The gift, the giver, and the God agree." 
But why, alas, relentlefs youth, ah why 
To diftant feas muft tender Sappho fly ? 
Thy charms than thofe ma)t^ more powerful be, 420 
And Phoebus* felf is lefs a God to me. 
Ah ! canft thou doom me to the rocks and (ea^ 
O far more f aithle(« and more haid than they f 
Ah ! ca&ft thou radier fee this tender breaft 
Daih'd on thefe rocks than to thy bofom prefs^d ? 225 
Thiis breaft which once, in vain 1 you likM £b well ; 
Wiiere the Loves play'd, and where the Mufes dwell. 

Alas ! 

I r I - — ■ ■ ■ 

" Grata lyram pofui tibi, Phoebe, poetria Sappho : 

*' Convenit 31a aiihi, convenit ilia tIbi." 
Cur tamen A6liacas miferam me mittis ad oras. 

Cum profugum poffis ipfe referre pedemi 
Tu mihi Leucadia potes efie ialubrior unda t 220 

Et 'forma et mentis tu mihi Phoebus eris. 
An pote^, 6 fcopiilis undaque ferocior ilk, -^ 

Sl moriai*, titulum mortis habere meae ? ^ " 
At quan'to melius jun^ mea peflora tecum, 

Quaih poterant faxis praecipitanda dari ! 225 

Haec funt ilia, Phaon, quae tu laudare folebas ; 

Vifaque'limt toties ingeniofa tibi. 



SAPPHO t0 pa AON. 479 

Alas !• the Mufes npw bo more inJ^pirc, 

Untun'd my lute, and iilcnt is my lyre ; 

My languid number* have forgot to floW| ^30 

And fancy finks beneath a weight of woe; 

Ye Lefbian virgins, s^nd ye Lefbiw domes. 

Themes of my verfe, and obje6t3 of toy flames. 

No more your groves witt my glad £bjftgs ihall ri?igj 

No more thefe hands ihall touch the trembling ftr\i\g : 

My Phaon '« fled, and I thofe aits refig^, 

(Wretch that I am, to call that Phaop miitf !.) 

Return, fair youth, return, and bring along 

Joy to my foul, and vigour to my fong : 

Abfent from thee, the Ppefs ^ame expires ; 249 

But ah ! how fiercely byrn the J-pvcr's ^res ? 

Gods ! can no prayers, no fighs, no nuipbers^ move 

One (avage heart, or teach it how to love ? 

The 

Nunc velkm facunda forent : dolor artibns'ebftat ^ 

Ingeniumque meis fubfidtit omtie mails* 
Non mihi refpondent veteres in carmina vires. i^o 

rle6ba dolore tace^t : mvta dolore lyra e^^ 
Lefbid/^s aequoreae, atipturaque nupta^ue prdles^j 

Lelbides, Aeolia nomine l^i^ lyvi^ S 
Leibides, infamem qpae me fepiiiis amataef 

Definite ad citharas turba vepixe meas. 
Abftula omne Phaon, quod YcfptB asttt placebos. 235 

(Me mif<;jcam ! dixi qvsjfi 9i9fU> pene, mots t) 
£fficite ut r^eat : vates 4|UQqve Yf&x^ itdibit* 

Ingenio vires iUe dat^ iUf ra(|it» 940 

Ecquid ago precibus ? pc6^ufne agrefte movetur ? 

•Am riget ? et Zephyri verba caduca ferunt f 
N % 



^8b POPE'S POEMS. 

The winds my prayers, my fighs, my numben bear, 

The flying winds have loft them all in air ! 145 

Oh when, alas ! (hall moi-e aufpicious gales 

To thefc fond eyes reftore thy welcome fails ? 

If you return— ah why thefe long delays ? 

Poor Sappho dies while carelefs Phaon ftays. 

O launch thy bark, nor fear the watery plain 5 150 

Venus fbr thee fhall fmooth her native main. 

O launch thy bark, fecure of profperous gales j 

Cupid for thee jfhall (pread the fwelling fails. 

If you will fly— (yet ah ! what caufe can be. 

Too cruel youth, that you ftiould fly from me ?) 255 

If not from Phaon I muft hope for eafe. 

Ah let me feek it from the raging feas : 

To raging feas unpityM TU remove, 

And either ceafe to live, or ceafe to love ! 

Qui mea verba ferunt, vellem tua vela referrent. 

Hoc te, fi (aperes, lente, decebat opus. 
8ive redis, puppique tuae votiva parantur 

Muneraj quid laceras peftora noftra mora ? 
Solve ratem i Venus orta man, mare praeftat eunti. 

Aura dabit curfum 5 tu modo folve ratem. 
Ipfe gubemabit refidens in puppe Cupido : 

Ipfc dabit tenera vela legetque manu. 
Sive juvat longe fugiffe Pelafgida Sappho 5 

(Non tamen invenies, cur ego digna fuga.) ^ss 

[O faltem miferae, Crudelis, epiftola dicat : 

Ut nuhi Leucadiae fata petantur aquae.] 

ELOI^^A 



£ L O I S A 

TO 

A B E L A R D. 



Mj 



ARGUMENT. 

ABELARD and Eloifa flourlfhcd in the twelfth 
Century 5 they were two of the moft diftingruifhed 
perfons of their age in learning and beauty, but foF 
nothing more famous than for their unfortunate paf- 
iion. ^ After a long c#urfe of calamitfes, they^tired 
each to a feveral Convent, and confecrated the rev 
mainder of their days to. religion. It was many years 
after this feparation, that a letter of Abelard's to a 
Friendj vfhich co^ttained the hiftory of ]^i,s misforr 
time, fell ihto thelrtinds of Eloifa. This kwakenmg 
all her tendernefs, occafioned thofe celebrated letters 
(out of which the following is partly extracted) 
which give fo lively a pifture of the ftruggles of 
grace and nature, virtue apd pafrion. 



[ i8j ] 

E L O I S A 

TO 

A B E L A R D. 

IN thefe deep folitudes and awfiil cells. 
Where heavenly penfive contemplation dwells. 
And ever-mufing melancholy reigns 5 
What means this tumult in a Veftal's veins ? 
Why rove my thoughts beyond this laft retreat? 5 

Why feels my heart its long-forgotten heat ? 
Yet, yet I love !— From Abelaid it came^ 
And Eloifa yet muft kifs the name« 

Dear fatal name ! reft ever unreveaPd, 
Nor pafs thefe lips in holy filence feaPd : 10 

Hide it, my heart, within that ck>fe difguife. 
Where, mix'd with God's, hie lov'd idea lies 3 
O write it not, my hand — Ac name appears 
Already written — waih it out, my tears ! 

CIn vain loft Eloifa weeps and prays, 1 $ 

Her heart ftill dilates, and her hand dbeys. 

Relentlefs walls ! whofe darkfome round contains 
Repentant fighs, and voluntary pains : 
Ye rugged rocks ! which holy knees hav« worn; 
Ye grots and caverns fhaggM with honid thorn ! ao 
Shrines ! where their vigils pale-eyed virgins keep^ 
And pitying faints, whofe ftatues learn to weep * 
llioogh cold like you, unmoved and iilent grown> 
I ^Kft not yet forgot myfelf to ftone. 

N'4 KN^ 






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^t . ^ .« _. \_-^* .1,' 1 ?i.''. 'a '.."L "" '- 7 ' '■'^ • 

.V,- * ..'■:■ V ir./:*, •»::*•: »CJ; — ::= -::i i 7^7:r; 

7 ', ■' :/: «;..: «»»7, .1 t- r^rv r : - rs- i;. 

Ai, ."/,7', •?.if. C-,i« .", fel ; - 1 ill :Jiv cr.tf. ^3 

ctinTc i.ii,f;. < lo.^r- '-^ lozjc cipil--* mill j 
^\yr7 Li7», :-,-y TC&ih: wh-i: Icrs inipircs, 

''y a*n fr-m •:.. il to la £:t3. 

The 



ELOI8A TO ABE LARD. 185 

Tlie virgin's wifh without her fears impart, 55 

Excufe the blufh, and pour out all the heart. 
Speed the foft intercourfe from foul to foul. 
And waft a figh from Indus to the Pole. 

Thou know'ft how guiltlefs firft I met thy flame. 
When Love approach'd me under Friendihip's name } 
My fancy form'd thee of angelic kind. 
Some emanation of th' All-beauteo\is Mind. 
Thofe fmiling eyes, attempering every ray. 
Shone fweetly lambent with celeftial day. 
Guiltlefs I gaz'd j heaven liften'd while you fimg ; 65 
And truths divine came mended from that tongue. 
From lips like thofe what precept failed to move ? 
Too foon they taught me 'twas no fm to love : 
Back t|irough the paths of pleafmg fenfe I ran. 
Nor wifli'd an Angel whom I lov'd a Man. 70 

Dim and remote the joys of faints I fee j 
Nor envy them that heaven I lofe for thee. 

How oft, when prefs'd to marriage, have I faid, 
Curfe on all laws but thofe which love has made ! 
Love, free as air, at fight of human ties, 75 

Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies. 
Let wealth, let honom*, wait the wedded dame, 
Auguft her deed, and facred be her fame ; 
Before true paflion all thofe views remove. 
Fame, wealth, and honour ! what are you to Love ? 80 
The jealous God, when we prophane his firesy 
Thoie reftlefs paflions in revenge infpires, 
And bids them make miflaken mortals groan^ 
W£9 f^Qk in love fpr aught but love alone. 

Shouli 



i8S POP E'S P O E M $• 

Thy eyes diffused a reconciling ray, 14.J 

And gleams of glory brightened all the day. 

But now no face divine contentment wears, 

*Ti8 all blank fadnefs^ or continual tears. 

See how the force of othei-s prayers I try, 

(O pious fraud of amorous charity () i ^o 

But why (hould I on others prayers depend ? 

Come thou, my father, brother, hufband, ^end ! 

Ah, let thy handmaid, fifter, daughter, move. 

And all thofe tender names in one, thy love ! 

Thf darkfome pines that o*er yon rocks reclined, 155 

Wave high, and murmur to the hollow wind. 

The wandering ftreams thatihine between the hills. 

The grots that echo to the tinkling rills. 

The dying gales that pant upon the trees. 

The lakes that quiver to the cwling breeze ; x6o 

No more thefe fcenes my meditation aid. 

Or lull to reft the vifionary maid. 

But o'er the twilight groves and dufky caves. 

Long-founding aides, and intermingled graves, 

31ack Melancholy fits, and round her throws 165 

A death-like iilence, and a dread repofe ; 

Her gloomy prefence faddens all the fcene, 

Shades every flower, and darkens every green. 

Deepens the murmur of the falling floods. 

And breathes a browner horror on the woods. 1 70 

Yet here for ever, ever muft I ftay ; 
8ftd proof how well a lover can obey ! 
Peadi, only death, can break the lafting chain ; 
And here, e>'*& then, fliall my cold duft remain j 



E Lot 8 A TO ABELARD. 187 

Yet then, to thofe dread altars as I drew, 115 

"Not on the crofs my eyes were fix*d, but you s 
Not grace, or 2cal, love only was my call, '^ — ^ 
And if I lofe thy love, I lofe my all, ,»_^— --- 
Come ! with thy looks, thy words, relieve my woe 5 
Thofe ftill at leaft are left thee to beftow. 120 

Still on that breaft enamourM let me lie. 
Still drii^ delicious pcifon from tliy eye, 
Pant on thy lip, and to thy heart be prcfs'd ; 
Give all thoti canft-^and let me dream tfie reft. 
AH, no'f inftni^ me other joys to prize, 115 

With othei' beauties charm my partial eyes. 
Full in my view fet aH the bright abode. 
And make my foul quit Abelard for God. 

Ah think at leaft thy flock deferves thy care, 
yialits of thy hand, and children of thy prayer. xjo 
From the falfe world in eariy youth they fled. 
By thee to mountains, wiMs, and deferts led. 
You rais'd thefe hallowed walls ; the defert finilM, 
And paradifc was <^n'd in the wild. 
No weeping orphan faw his father^s ftores 13 j ' 

Our (hrines iiTadiate, or emblaze the floors j 
No filver faints, by dying mifers given. 
Here brib'd the rage of ill -requited Heaven; 
But fuch plaiw roofs as Piety cculd raife, 
AtKl only vocftl with the Maker's pndfe. 140 

In thefe lone walls (their days eternal bound) 
Thefe mofs-grown domes with fpiry turrets crowned. 
Where awful arches make a noon-day night, 
Apd the ^dSm windows flied a folenm light ; 



190 P O P £*S PC E M 8. 

Fill mv fond heart with God akme, for he 105 

Alone cac rival, can fuccced to thee. 
How happy is the hlamelei's VeS:2i s lot ; 

The worid forgetting, hj the world fofgotl 

Eternal fuc-ihine of the fpotlefs raind! 

Each prayer accepted, and each wiih refign*d ; sio 

L:Lbour and reft, that equal periods keep; 

*' Obedient flumbers that can wake and weep ;" 

Defu-cs cotnpos'd; affeflions ever even 5 

Tears diat delight, and fighs that weft to hcaveft. 

Grace 0-iines around her with fereneft beams, si 5 

And whifpering Angels prompt her golden drcmu. 

For her th' unfading rcfe of Eden bk>oms> 

And wings of Seraphs Ihed divine peifmoesy 

For her ihe fpoufe prq>2res the bridal nog. 

For her white virgins Hynienaeals fmg, tio 

To founds of heai-enly harps ftie dies away. 

And melts in vifion^ of eternal day. 

Far other dreams my erring foul employ* 
Far other raptures, of unholy joy : < 
When, at the clofe of each fad, ibrrowing day* %t^ 

Fancy reftores what vengeance fnatch^d away. 
Then confcience (leeps, and leaving nature fret^ 
All my loofe foul unbounded fprings to thee. 

curd, dear horrw>rs of all-confcious night ! 

How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight t 13^ 

Provoking Demons all reftraint remove. 
And ftir within me every i'ource of love. 

1 hear thee, view thee, gaze o'er all thy chaimsy 
And round thy phaatom glue my dafping amw. 



ELQISA TO ABELARD. 191 

I wake : — no more I hear, no more I view, 235 

The phantom flies me, as unkind as you. 

I call aloud $ it hears not what I fay : 

I ftretch my einpty arms ; it glides away. 

To dream once more I clofe my willing eyes j 

Ye foft illufions, dear deceits, arife 1 140 

Alas, no mart 1 methinks we wandering go 

Through dreary wades, and ^mwc]) each other *s woe. 

Where round ibme mouldering tower pale ivy creeps. 

And low-brow'd rocks hang nodtfi&g o*er the 4eeps. 

Sudden you mount, you beckon from the ikies j 245 

Clouds interpofey waves roar, and windi arife* 

I fhriek, ftart iq), the fame fad proipe6l &id» 

And wa^Eie to all the griefs I left behind. 

For thee the fates, feirerely kind, oixlaia 
A -cool fufpenfe from pleafure and from pain ^ 050^ 

Thy life a long dead calm of fix'd repofe ^ 
No pulfe that riots, and no blood that glows. 
Still as the fea, ere winds were taught to blow. 
Or moving fpirit bade die waters flow* 
Soft as the ilttmbei*s of a faint forgiven, 255 

And mild as opening gleams of promis'd heaven. 
' Come, Abelard! for what haft thou to'dread ? 
The torch of Venus bums not for the dead. 
Nature (lands checkM $ Religion difapproves | 
Ev>i thou art cold--yet Eloifa loves. %69 

Ah, hopelefa, lafling flames i like thofe that bum 
To light the dead, <and warm th' unfruitful urn. 

What fcenes appear where'er I turn my view ? 
The dear ideasy where I fly, purfu^ 

Riie 



19* P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Rife in the grove, before the altar rife, 165 

Stain all my foul, and wanton in my eyes. 

I wafle the matin lamp in fighs for thee. 

Thy image fteals between my God and me. 

Thy voice I feem in every hymn to hear. 

With every bead I drop too foft a tear, %jo 

When from the cenfer clouds of fragrance roll. 

And fwelling organs lift the rifmg foul. 

One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight, 

Priefts, tapers, temples, fwim before my fight : 

In feas of flame my plunging foul is drown'd, 475 

While Altars blaze, and Angels tremble round. 

While proftrate here in humble grief I lie. 
Kind, virtuous drops juft gathering in my eye. 
While, praying, trembling, in the duft I roll. 
And dawning grace is opening on my foul : %Zo 

Come, if thou dar'ft, all charming as thou art ! 
Oppofe thyfelf to Heaven 5 difpute my heart 5 
Come, with one glance of thofe deluding eyes 
Blot out each bright idea of the flues 5 
Take back that grace, thofe forrows, and thofe tears j 
Take back my fruitlefs penitence and prayers ; 
Snatch me, juft mounting, from the bleft abode j 
Aflift the flends, and tear me fi-om my God ! 

No, fly me, fly me, far as Pole from Pole 5 
Rife Alps between us ! and whole oceans roll ! 290 
Ah, come not, wiite not, think not once of me. 
Nor ftiare one pang of all I felt for thee. 
Thy oaths I quit, thy memory refign j 
Forget, renounce me, hate whatever was mine. 

Fair 



ELOISA TO ABELARD. 19) 

Fair eyes, attd ttmpfiftg looks (which yet I view f) 295 
Long loy*d, ador*d ideas, all adieu ! 
O Grace ferenc ! O Virtue heavenly fisiJr ! 
Divine oblivion of Icfw-thoughted careT 
Fre(h-blooming Hope, gay cbughter of the fky ! 
And Faith, our early immortality ! 300 

Enter, each mild, each anncabk gneft i 
Receive and wrap me in eternal reft ! 

See in her cell (ad EloTfa fpread, 
Propt on fome tomb, a nei^bour of the dead. 
In each low wind methinks a Spirit calls, 305 

And more than Echoes talk along the walls. 
Here, as I watchM the dying lamps around. 
From yonder ihrine I heard a faoilow found. 
" Come, fifter, come!" (itfaid*, or feem'd to fay) 
«• lliy place is here, fad fifter, come away ! 310 

" Once like thyfelf, 1 trembled, wept, andpray'd, 
** Lovcf*s vi6^im theft, fhoogh now a fainted maid : 
<' But sdl rs calm in diis eternal deep $ 
«* Here grief forgets to groan, and loVe to weep, 
<« Ev'n fliperftition lofes every fear; 315 

«« For (Jod, not man, abfobres our frailties here." 

I come, I come ! prepam your rofeate bowers, 
Celeftial palms, and ever-^fooming flowers. 
Thither, where finncrs may have reft, I go. 
Where flames refin*d ia breafts feraphic glow : 310 

Thou, Abelard ! the laft fatf oflke pay, 
And fmooth my paflage to the realms of day } 
See my lips tremble, and my eye-balls roll, 
Suck my laft breath, and catch my flying fopi! 

▼OL.I. O ' A^ 



194 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Ah no^-in facred veftments may'ft thou ftand. 

The hallow'd taper trembling in thy hand, 

Prefent the Crofs before my lifted eye, 

Teach me at once, and learn of me to die. 

Ah then, thy once-lov'd Eloifa fee I 

It will be then no crime to gaze on me. 

See from my cheek the tranfient rofes fly I 

See the laft fparkle languiih in my eye 1 

Till every motion, pulfe, and breath be o'er f 

And ev*n my Abelard be lov'd no more. 

O Death all eloquent ! you only prove — ' * X 

What duft we doat on, when 'tis man we love, ) 

Then too, when fate Ihall thy fair frame deflxoy, 
(That caufc of all my guilt, and all my joy) 
In trance extatic may thy pangs be drownM, 
Bright clouds defcend, and Angels watch thee rou 
From opening flues may ftreaming glories fliine. 
And Saints embrace thee with a love like mine.. 

May one kind grave imite each haplefs name^ 
And graft my love immortal on thy fame ! 
Then, ages hence, when all my woes are o*er. 
When this rebellious heait fliall be at no more j 
If ever chance two wandering lovers brings 
To Paraclete's white walls and filver fprings. 
O'er the pale marble fliall they join their heads. 
And drink the falling tears each other flieds j 
Then fadly fay, with mutual pity mov'd, 
*' O may we never love as thefe have lov'd !" 
From the full choir, when loud Hofannas rife. 
And fwell the pomp of dreadful facrifice. 



ELOISA TO ABELARD. 155 

Amid^that fcene if fojne relenting eye 355 

Glance on the ftone where our cold relicks lie, 
Devotion^s felf (hall fteal a thought from heaven. 
One human tear (hall drop, and be forgiven. 
And fure if fate fome future bard (hall join 
In fad fimilitude of griefs to mine, 366 

Condemned whole years in abfence to deplore. 
And image charms he muft behold no more ; 

/Such if there be, who loves fo long, fo well j 

j Let him our fad j our tender ftory tell ! 

I The well-fung woes will footh my pen(ive ghoft j 365 

\jEIe beft can paint them who (hall feel them moft« 



O % TRABIS- 



Advertifement, 

THE fotfewifig TranHations were fele^led from vaSxiy 
others done by the Author in his Youth j for the moH; 
part indeed but a fort of Exercifes, while he was im* 
proving himielf in th/Luiguages, and carried by his 
early bent to Poetry to perform them rather in Verie 
thanJfroi^ Mr- -Indents fables came out about 
that tbne, wbfch occMo^dd the Tranflations from 
Chaucer. They were firft feparately printed in Mif- 
cellanies by }. Tonfon and B. Lintot, and after- 
wards colle6led in the Quarto Edition of 17 17. The 
Imitations of Englilh Authors, which follow, were 
done as eailyt Come of them at fourteen or fifteen 
years old. 



THE 

T E M P L E 

OF 

F A M E. 

Written in &e Year M DCC JCJ. 



O4. 



Advertifement. 

THE hint of the following piece was tal^en finom 
Chaucer^i Houfe of Fame. Tlie dcfign is in a man- 
ner entirely altered, the defcriptions and moft of dc 
particular thoughte my own j yet I covld not Jbfir 
it to be printed without this acknowkdjgment. The 
reader who would compare €m widi Chancer, naj 
begin with hit third book of Fame, there being no- 
thing in the two firft books that anfwers to dieir tide: 
wherever any hint it taken finom him, die paf^e it- 
felf it let dowi. in the marginal notes. 

The Poem it introduced in the manner of die Ad- 
iren^al Poets, whoTe workt were for die moft pst 
Vifiont, or piecet of imagination, and conftantly de- 
fcriptive. From thefe, Petrarch and Chaucer fie- 
quenf ly borrowed the idea of their poems. See die 
IVionfi of the former, and the Dream, Flower awf 
the Leaf, See. of the latter. The Audior of diis diere* 
fort chofc the Aunc ibrt of Exordium. 



THE 

TEMPLE, 
o r 
F A M E. 

IN that foFt feafon, when descending ihowers 
Call forth the greens, and wake the riibg flowers { 
When opening buds (alute the welcome day. 
And earth relenting feels the genial rayj 
As balmy fleep had charmM my cares to reft, | 

And love itfelf was baniih*d from my breaft, 
(What time the mom myfterious vifions brings. 
While purer (lumbers fpread their golden wings) 
A train of phantoms in wild order roie. 
And, join'd, this intelle6lual fcene compofe. id 

I ftood, methought, betwixt earth, feas, and ikies i 
The whole creation open to my eyes i 

In 

IMITATIOK* 

Ver. II, &c.] Thefe verfes are hinted &om ike fol- 
lowingof Chaucer, Book ii« 

Though beheld I fields and plainSt 
Now hills, and now moontains* 
Now valeis, and now foreftea. 
And now unneth great beftes. 
Now rivers, now citees. 
Now town3, now great trees» 
Now ihippes iayling ia the ftc 



los P O P E > S P O E M S. 

In air felf-balanc'd hung the globe below. 
Where mountains rife^ and circling oceans flow j 
Here naked rof:ks, and empty waftes were feen 
There towery cities, and the forefts g^eeri : 
Here failing ihips delight the wandering eyes | 
There trees and intermingled temples nfe $ 
Now a clear fun the fhining fcene diiplaysy 
The traniient landfcape now in clouds decays. 

0*er the wide profpefi as I gazM around. 
Sudden I heard a wild promifcuous found. 
Like broken thunders that at diftance roar. 
Or billows miumuring on the hollow ihore : 
Then gazing up, a glorious pile beheld, 
Whofe towering fummit anibient clouds conceard. 
High on a rock of Ice die ftru6lure lay. 
Steep it^ afcent, and flipp^ry was the way j 
The wonderous rock like Parian maible fhone. 
And feem'd, to diftant fight, of folid ftone. 

Infcripti 
IMITATION. 

Ver. «7. High on a rock of ice, &c.] Chaucer's tl 
book of Fame. 

It ftood upon fo high a rock. 
Higher ftandeth none in Spavne— 
Wnat manner ftone this rocK was. 
For it ws^ like a lymed glafs. 
But that it ihone full more clere ; 
But of what congeled matere 
It was, I nifte. redily $ 
But at the laft efpied I, 
And found that it was every dele, 
A rock of ice^ and not of (b{e. 



THE TEMPtE OF FAME, ^93 

Jnfcriptions here of various Nam^s I view'd. 

The greater part by hoftile time fqbdued j 

Yet wide was fpread their fame in ages paft» 

And Poets once Jiad promised they ihould laft. 

Some frefli engi-av'd appeared of Wits renown'd j 35 

J look'd agaioy nor could their ti-ace be found. 

Critics I faw, that other names deface. 

And fix their own, with labour, in their place : 

Their own, like others, fpon their place refigu^d^ 

Or difappear'd, and left the firft behind. 44} 

^or was the work impaired by fiorms alone. 

But felt th^ approaches of too warm a fun j 

For Fame, impatient of extremes, decays 

Not more by Envy^ than excefs of Praife, 



IMITATIONS, 

Vcr. 31, Jnfcriptions here, &c.] 

Tho' faw I all the hill y-grave 
With famous folkes names fele. 
That had. been in much wele 
And her fames wide y-blow ; 
But well unneth might I know. 
Any letters for to rSe 
Their names by, for out of drcde 
They weren almoft off-thawen fo. 
That of the letters one or two ^ 
Were mplte away of every name. 
So unfamous was woxe her fame 5 
But men faid, what may ever laft ? 

Yen 41. Nor was the work impair*d, &c.] 
Tho' £an I in myne harte caft. 
That Uiey were molte away for hqite. 
And not away with ftormes btate. 



Vet 



«04 P O P E'S P O E M 8. 

Yet part no injuries of heaven could fed, 45 

Like cryftd faithful to thegraving fteel : 
The rock's high iummit, in the temple's ihade. 
Nor heat could melt, nor beating ftorm invade. 
Their names infcrib'd unnumber'd ages paft 
From time's firft birth, with time itfelf fhall laft; 50 
Thefc ever new, nor fubjcft to decays, 
Spread, and grow brighter with the length of days. 
So Zembla's rocks (the beauteous work of froft) 
Rife white in air, and glitter o'er the coaft j 
Pale funs, unfelt, at diftance roll away, 55 

And on th' impaifive ice the lightnings play; 
Eternal fnows the gromng mafs iupply. 
Till the bright mountains prop th' mcumbent iky; 
As Atlas fix'd, each hoary pile appears. 
The gather'd winter of a thouiiuid years> 60 



On 



IMITATION. 

Ver, 45. Yet part no iRJuries, Arc] 
For on that other fide I fev 
Of that hill which northward ley. 
How it was written ftili of names 
Of folke^ that had afore great fames. 
Of old time, and yet they were 
As frefh as men Kad written hem theit 
That felf day, or that houre 
That I on hem gan to poure : 
But well I wifte what it made 5 
It was conferved with the fhade 
(All the writing that I fyt) 
Of the callle that itoode on high. 
And Rood eke in fo cold a ptece, 
That IwM might it sot dsfee. 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. ^05 

Is foundation Fame^s high temple ibadsi 
idous pUe ! not reared by mortal hands. 
;^er proud Rome or artful Greece beheld, 
ler BabyloB> its frame excelPd. 
aces hod the dame^ and ereiy face 65 

ious ftrufhirey but of equal grace I 
>razen gat«t, on colnmns lifted high| 
the difFcrent quarters of the iky. 
fabled Chiefs in darker agea born^ 
orthics old, whom arms or arts adorn^ 70 

cities rais'dy or tam'd a ioao&xo\a race | 
Talk in Tenerable order grace ; 
3 in animated maxfole frown, 
Legiflators feem to think in flxwe. 
:ftwani, a fumptUDUS firoatifpiece a(^ar*d» 7| 
oric pillars of white marble rearM, 
I'd with an architrave of antique mold, 
culpture riiijig on the rovgU^'d gold. 
ggy fpoils here Thdeos was bdieldy 
i^erfeus drciKiftti with MwerTEi's ihiekl : |# 

great Alddes, floc^g with his toil, 
sn his.db:^! taad holds th' He^erian fpoil : : 
3rpheu8 fiaga; trees mofving to the £buDd < 
From dieir toots* and form a ihade ajround s 
lion there tis kmd cietdng lyre I5 

s, and bdboU a fuddcn Thebes a%Aie! 
iron's ecfaies an^ver to his call, 
lalf the monntaiii rolls ima a wall : 
i might you im the lengthening ffniss afcead>. 
iomn fmttnj^ thawidauo^ arches be»d» 9* 

The 



%66 PbPE'SPOEMS. 

The growing towers like exhalations rife. 
And the huge columns heave into the ikies. 

The Eaftem fi^ont was glorious to behold. 
With diamond flaming, and Barbaric gold. 
There Ninus fhone, who fpread th* Afiyrian hant^ 9; 
And the great founder of the Periian name t 
There in long robes the royal Magi ftand. 
Grave Zoroafter waves the circling wand : 
The fage Chaldseans rob*d in white appear^. 
And Brachmans, deep in defert woods reverM. 100 
Thefe ftoppM the moon, and call'd th* unbodyM fliadei 
To midnight banquets in the glimmering glades $ 
Made viflonary fabrics round diem rife. 
And airy fpefbres (kim before their eyes ; 
Of Talifmans and Sigils knew the power, 105 

And careful watchM the Planetary hour. 
Superior, and alone, Coiifiicius ftood, 
Who taught that ufeful fcience, to be good. 

But on the South, a long majeftic race 
Of Egypt's Priefts the gilded niches grace, no 

Who meafur'd earth, dcfcrib'd the ftarry fpheres. 
And ti-ac'd the long records of lunar years. 
Higl^on his car Sefoftris ftruck my view. 
Whom fcepter'd flaves in golden hamefs drew s 
His hands a bow and pointed javelin hold i 115 

His giant limbs are armM in fcales of gold. 
Between the ftatue&Obelilks were plac'd. 
And the leam'd walls with Hieroglyi^cs gracM. 

Of Gothic ftni^re was the Northern iicte, 
O'ei-wrought wi ' »t of barbarous pride. 190 

Then 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. 107 

There huge Coloffes i-ofe, with trophies crown'd. 

And Runic charafters were grav'd around. 

There fate Zamolxis with erefted eyes. 

And Odin here in mimic trances dies. 

There on rude iron columns, fmearM with blood, iio 

The horrid forms of Scythian heroes flood. 

Pruids and Bards (their once loud harps unftrung) 

And youths that died to be by Poets fung. 

Thefe and a thouiand more of doubtful fame, 

To whom old fables gave a lafting name, 1 39 

In ranks adom'd the Templets outward face i 

The wall in luftre and effefl like glafs. 

Which, o*er each objedl calling various dyes. 

Enlarges (bme, and others multiplies : 

Nor void of emblem was the myftic wall, 135 

For thus roniantic Fame increafes all. 

The Temple ihakes, the founding gates unfold. 
Wide vaults appear, and roofs of fretted gold : 
Rais'd on a thoufand pillars wreath'd around 
With laurel-foliage, and with eagles crown'd : 14JO 
Of bright tranfparent beryl were the walls. 
The fiTezes gold, and gold the capitals : 
As heaven with ftars, the roof with jewels glows. 
And ever-living lamps depend in rows. 
Full in the paflage of each fpacious gate, 145 

The fkge Hiftorians in white garments wait } 

Grav'd 

IMITATION. 

Ver. 132. The wall in luftre, &c.J 
It (hone lighter than a glals. 
And made well more than it was. 
As kind of thing Fame is. 



2o8 1^ O P E*S POEMS. 

Grav*d o^er didr feats the form of Time was fovuk!. 

His fcythe reversed, and both his pinions bound. 

Within ftood Heroes, who dirongh loud ahorms 

In bloody fields purftied renown in arms. f ^o 

High on a throne with trophies chargM, I TiewM 

The Youth diat all lirings but himfelf fubdned j 

His feet on fceptres and tiaras trod. 

And his hom*d head bely'd the Libyan God. 

There Caciar, grac'd with botk IVTincrvas, flionei «S5 

Caefar» the world's great mafter, and bis oiKm } 

Unraoy*d» ftiperior ftill in every fbtte. 

And fcarce detefted in his Country^s &te. 

But chief were thoie^ who noc for cmpirs frnght* 

But with their toils their people*s fafety bought s i<o 

High o'er the reft Epaminondas ftood } 

Timoleon, glorious in bis brothcF's blood} 

Bold ScipiO) faviour of the Roman ftatt j 

Great in his triumphs, in retirement greats 

And wife Aurelius, in wkofe well-tanght mind ) 

With boundlefs power unbounded virtue joined, ( 

His own &n6t judge, and patron of mankind. y 

Much fufiering heroes next their hoaours chdnif 
Thofe of lefs noify, and lefs gnrlty faaoe. 
Fair virtue's iilent train : fupreme of theie 970 

Here ever ihines the godlike Socrates s 
He whom ungrateful Athens could expelly 
At all times juft, but when he fign*d the Shell i 
Here his abode the martyr*d Phocion claims. 
With Agis, not the laft of Spartan names t 175 

Unconquer'd Cato ihews the wound he torey 
And Brutus kis ill Genius meets no more. 



THE TEMPLE OP FAME. io$ 

But in the centre of the hallowM choir. 
Six pompous coliimns o*er die reft afpire 5 
Around the (hrine itfelf of Fame they ftand, 1 So 

Hold the chief honours, and the fane command. 
High on the firft, the mighty Homer ihone ; 
Eternal adamant compos*d his throne ; 
Father of verfe ! in holy fillets dreft. 
His filver beard wav'd gently o'er his breaft 5 "185 

Though blind, a boldnefs in his looks appears ; 
In years he feemM, but not impaired by years. 
The wars of Troy were round the pillar feen : 
Here fierce Tydides wounds the C^^an Queen ; 
Here He£lor glorious from Patroclus* fall, 190 

Here dragged in triumph round the Trojan wall. 
Motion and life did every part inipire, 
Bold was Ac work, and prov'd the mafter's fire 5 

A ftrong 
IMITATIONS* 

Ver. X79. Six pompous colunms^ &c.} 

From the dees many a pillere. 

Of metal that fhone not full clere, &c. 

Upon a pillere faw I ftonde 

That was of lede and iron fine. 

Him of the feB. Saturnine, 

The Ebraicke Jofephus the old, &c. 
Uppn an iron pillere ftrong. 

That painted was all endlong. 

With tigers'* blood in every place, 

The Tholofan that hight Stace, 

That bare of Thebes up the name, &c, 
Ven 18a.] 

Full wonder high on a pilere 

Of iron, he the great Omer, 

And with him Dares and Titus, &c. 
Vol, I. P 



,1^ POP E'S POEMS. 

A ftrong cxprcflion ipoft he fkeak^d t^affeft. 

And here and there difclos'd z brave negle^ 105 

A goiden column next in rank ?Epear^4, 
On which a ihrine of pureftgold v^ f^fU-'d ; 
I' iniflf d the whole^ and laboured eveiy part. 
With patient touches of unwearied art x 
'I'hc Mantuan there in fober triumph fate, 200 

C^ompos'd bis poihire^ and his lookfedatej 
On Homer flill he fix'd a reverend eye, 
(ireat without pride^ in modeil majeily. 
In living fculpture on the fides were fpread 
The Latlan wars^ and haughty T^rnut dead ^ ^0; 

Eliza (tretchM upon the funeral pyre, 
yiMicas bending with bis aged fire : 
'J 'r(>y flam'd in burning gold^ aqd o*er the throne 
Akms and the man in golden cyphers ^qi^. 

i*'our fwans fuftain a car of filver bright, 210 

With heads advanced, and pinions ftietch'd for flight: 
1 Icrc, like fome furious prophet, Pin4ar rode^ 
And recm'd to labour vnih th' infpiring God. 



Acrofs 



IMITATION. 
Vcr. 196, &C.] 

'i'here faw I ftand on a pillere 
'I'hat was of tinned iron cleere. 
The Latin Poet Virgyle, 
That hath bore up or a great whij« 
The fame of pius ^neas : 

And next him on a pillere was 
Of copper, Venus' clerke Ovide, 
I'hat hath fowen wondrous wide 
The great God of Love's haui-^ 



THE Tf MPLE OF FAME. 211 
Acrofs the harp a carelefs hand he fllngs> 
Ajid boldly fiiiks mto the founding brings. 2 1 5 

The figured games qf Greece the column grace, 
Neptune and Joye fprvey the r^id race. 
The youths hang o*er their chariots as they run j 
The fiery fteeds fecm ftarting from the ftone j 
,TJie champions in diftort^ poftures thi-eat j 220 

And all appeared irreguLuIy greaL 

Here happy Horace tun'd th' Aufonian lyre 
To fweeter founds, and tempered Pindar's fire : 
Pleas'd with Alc»us' ma^^y rage t" infufc 
The foftcr fpirit of U^e Sapphic Mufe. 225 

The polifh'd pillar di^ent fculptures grace j 
A work outlawing monumental bi-afs. 
Here finiling lA)ves and Bacchanals appear. 
The Julian ftar and great Auguftus here. 
The Doves, that round the infant Poet ijpread 230 

Myrtles and jbays hung hovering o'er his head. 

Here, in a (hrine th^t caft a dazzling light. 
Sate fix'd in thought the mighty Stagirite } 



IMITATION. 

Tho faw I on a pillere by 
Of iron wrought full fternfy, 
The great Po^ Dan Lucan, 
That on his ihoulders bore up then 
As hye as that I might fee, 
The fame of Julius and Pompee.* 

And next him on a pillere itode 
Of fulphure, like as he were wode, 
Dan dlaudian, fothe for to tell, 
That bare up all the fame of licU, &c. 
P * 



His 



it» POPE'S POEMS. 

His (acred head a radiant Zodiac crown* J, 
And ▼arioot Animals his fides Anxoimd ; 
Hit piercing eyes, crtSky appear to view 
Superior worlds, and look all Nature tfarongli. 

With equal rays immortal TuUy Ihoiiex 
The Roman Roftra deckM the ConluI*s throne : 
Gathering his flowing n>be> he feemM to ftand 
In aA to fpeaky and graceful ftretchM his hand. 
Behind, Rome*s Genius waits with Civic crowns. 
And the great Father of his country owns. 

Thefe mafly columns in a circle rife, 
0*er which a pompous dome invades the fldes : 
Scarce to the top I ftretchM my aching fight. 
So Iju-ge it fpread, and fwell'd to fuch a hei^. 
Full in the midft proud Fame^s imperial feat 
With jewels blaz*d, magnificently great ; 
The vivid emeralds there revive the eye. 
The flaming rubies fliew their fanguine dye. 
Bright aiurc rays from lively fapphires ftream. 
And lucid amber cafts a golden gleam. 
With various-colour'd light the pavement flione. 
And all on fire appeared the glowing throne ; 
The dome's high arch reflefls the mingled blaze. 
And forms a rainbow of alternate rays. 
When on the Goddcfs firft I caft my fight. 
Scarce fcem'd her ftature of a cubitus height ; 

IMITATION. 

Ver. 150. Scarce feem'd her ftature, &c.] 
Methought that fhe was fo lite. 
That the length of a cubite 
Was longer tain (he Teemed be i 
But thus ' while ihe, 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. 2x3 

But fweird to larger iize, the more I gazM, 160 

Till to the roof her towering front flie rais'd. 

With her, the Temple every moment grew. 

And ampler Viftas openM to my view : 

Upward the columns (hoot, the roofs afcend. 

And arches widen, and long aides extend. 265 

Sxich was her form, as ancient bards have told. 

Wings raife her arms, and wings her feet infold j 

A thoufand bufy tongues the Goddefs bears. 

And thoufand open eyes, and thoufand liftenlng ears. 

Beneath, in order ranged, the tuneful Nine 270 

(Her virgin handmaids) ftill attend the (hrine : 

With eyes on Fame for ever fix*d, they fmg; 

For Fame they raife the voice, and tune the ftring 5 

With time's firft birth began the heavenly lays, 

And laft, eternal, through the length of days. 275 

Around thefe wonders as I caft a look. 
The trumpet founded, and the temple fliook. 



And 



IMITATIONS. 

Her felfe tfao wonderly ftraight. 
That with her feet (he the earth right. 
And with her head fhe touchyd heaven - 

Ver. 270. Beneath in order rang'd, &c.] 
I heard about her throne y-fung 
That all the palays walls rung. 
So fune the mighty Mufe, fhe 
That dcped is Calliope, 
And her fevcn fillers eke— 

Ver. 276. Around thefe wonders, &c.] 
I heard a noife approachen blive. 
That far'd as bees done in a hive, 

P3 



2H P O P E'S P O E M S. 

And all the nations, furamon'd at the call. 

From different quarters fill the crouded hall : 

Of various tongues the mingled founds were heard j 

In various garbs promifcuous throngs appear'd ; 

Thick as the bees, that with the Spring renew 

Their flowery toils, and fip the fragr^it dew. 

When the wing'd colonies firft tempt the ikyj 

O'er duiky -fields and ihaded waters fly, 285 

Or, fettling, feize the fweets die bloCbnis yield. 

And a low murmur runs along the field. 

Millions of fupptiant crouds the 11ii*iife attend. 

And all degrees before the Goddefs bend ; 

The poor, the* rich, the valiant, and the fagtf, ^^c 

And boafting yonth, and narrative; oW age. 

Their 'pleas wei« different, their rcqucft the fame : 

For good 2ki4 bad alike are fond' of Fame. 

Some (he difgracM, and" fome with honours crowned j 

Unlike fuccefles equal nmerits fo^d. 29^ 



IMITATIONS. 

Againft her time df out-flying. 
Right' fuch a manere murmdrmg. 
For all tire would it feemed mc. 
The gan I look aborut and fee 
That there came entering into th' haHy 
A right great company withal | 
And that of fundrf regions. 
Of all kind of conditions, &€•-» 
Ver. 294.. Some flie dii%rac*d, &c.] 

And fbmft of them ihe granted fone^ 
And fome (hp warned well and fail*. 
And ^omc (he granted, the contrak— • 
Right k^ hev fi(ter dame Fortune 
Js wont to ferve in^conmiunc. 



Thus 



THfc -f EMPLB OF FAME. ai^ 

Thus her blind fitter, fickle Foittinc, feigns, 
And undifcemhig fcatt^rs' crowns aifid chains. 

Firft at die (hrine the Learned world appear. 
And to the feoddefs thus prefer their prayer. 
Long have y^ fought t* inftru6^ and pleafe mankind, 
With ftudies pale, with midnight vigils blind 5 
But thank 'd by few, rewarded yet by none, 
We here appeal to thy fupenor throne : 
On wit and learning the ju^ priz6 beftowy 
For Fame is all we muft 6xpe£l: below. 305 

The Goddefs heard, and bad6 the Mufes raife 
The golden Trumpet of eternal Praife : 
From pole to .pole th6 winds diffiife the founds 
Thatr^ls the circuit of the' woWd around 'j 
Not all at once, as thunder breaks the cloud ; 310 

The notes at firft were rather fweet than loud : 
By juft degrees they every moment rife, /^ 
Fill the wide earth, and gain upoh the ikies« 
At every b>eath were badmy odmirs fhed, 
Which ftill grew fweeter, Us they wider fpreat! ; 315 
Lefs fragrant fcents th^ unfolding rofe tfi^es. 
Or fpices breathing in Arabian gstles. 

Next thefe the good and fdft, an awful train. 
Thus on their knees addrefs the falcred faLne.. 



Since 



IMITATION. 

Ver. 318. Tjie good ^nd juft, &c.] 
Thb came the thii'd companye, 
Atid gan up to the dees to hye. 
And down oh Ibn'ees they fell aiioh^ 
And faiden : We bieeh everichone - 
Folke that han full tmely 
Deferved Faitt'right-ftiliyf •.- 



ti6 POP E*S POEMS. 

Since living virtue is with envy curs'd, ^ 

And the beft men are treated like the worft. 

Do thou, juft Goddefs, call our merits forth* 

And give each deed th* exa6^ intrinfic worth. 

Not with bare juftice fliall your aft be crown'd, 

(Said Fjimc) but high above defert renown'd : 315 

Let fuller notes th* applauding world amaze. 

And the loud clarion labour in your praife. 

This band difmifsM, behold another croud 
PreferM the fame requeft, and lowly bow'd j 
The conftant tenour of whofe well-^fpent days 3 jo 

No lefs deferv'd a juft return of praife. 
3ut ftraight the direful Ttump of Slander founds } 
Through the bi^f dome the doubling thunder bou^s $ 

Loud 

IMITATIONS. 

And prayen you it might be knowe 
Right as it is, and forth blowe. 

I grant, quoth (he, for now we lift 
That your good works (hall be wift. 
And yet ye (hall have better loos. 
Right in defpite of all your foos. 
Than worthy is, and tliat anone. 
Let now (quoth (he) thy trump gone— 
And certes all the breath that went 
Out of his trump's mouth CmtVd 
As men a pot 01 baume held 
Among a ba(ket full of rofes.-*- 
Ver, 318. 338. behold another croud* &c.— 

From the black trumpet's rufty, &c.] 
Therewithal there came anone 
Another huge companye 
Of good folke— 
What did this Eolus^ but he ' 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. »i7 

Loud as the biirft of cannon rends the ikies^ 

The dire report through every region flies, 335 

In ev^ry ear inceflant rumours rung. 

And gathering fcandals grew on every tongue. 

From the black trumpet's rufty concave broke 

Sulphurcous flames, and clouds of rolling fmoke : 

The poifonous vapour blots the purple ikies, 34* 

And withers all before it as it flies. 

A troop came next, who crowns and armour wore. 
And proud defiance in their looks they bore ; 
For thee (they cry*d) amidft alarms and ftrife. 
We fail'd in tempefts down the ftream of life ; 345 

For thee whole nations filPd with flames and bloody 
And fwam to empire through the purple flood. 
Thofe ills we dar'd, thy infpiration own 5 
What virtue feem'd, was done for thee alone. 
Ambitious fools ! (the Queen reply'd, and frown'd) 
Be all your afts in dark oblivion drown'd 5 
There fleep forgot, with mighty tyrants gone. 
Your ftatues moulderM, and your names unknoym ! 
A fudden cloud flraight fnatch*d them from my fight. 
And each majeftix: phantom fxmk in night. 355 

Then 

IMITATION. 

Took out his trump of brafs. 
That fouler than the devil was : 
And gan his trump for to bio we. 
As all the world fliould overthrowe. 
Throughout every regione 
Went this foul trumpet's foune. 
Swift as a pellet out of a gunne^ 
When fire is in the powder runne. 
And fuch a fmoke gan outwex^e. 
Out of the foul trumpef tf endt-^&c. 



9ii P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

Then caxxxc the fihaOeft tribe I yet had ftefi ; 
Plain was their dfefs, snid modeft was their Huen* 
Great idol of mankind ! we neither claim 
The praife of merh, nor afpire t6 fame ! 
But, fafc in deferts from th' applanfe of men, 360 

Would die mihieard-ofy as we liT''d imieen. 
*ris all we beg thee, to conceal from fi]^ 
Thofe aAs of goodnefs, which themfehes irqoite. 
O liet us ffill the fecret joy partake. 
To follow virtue ev'n for virtue's fiJa. 365 

And 

IMITATION. 

Vcr. 356. Then came the (inidleft, &c.^ 
I £kw anone the £fth route. 
That to this lady gan loutie. 
And downe on Knees anone to fall, 
And to her they bclbughfen all. 
To hidfcn their good works eke. 
And fidd, they yeve not a leke 
For no fame ne (uch renowne j 
I^or they for contemplacyoune, 
And Goddes love had it wr6i)ig;hl, 
Ke of firme would diey ought. 

Whati qimth flie, and be ye wood ? ^ 

And ween ye for to do good, 
And for to have it of no fame ? 
Have ye deijpite to have my name ? 
Nay ye (hW liim everichone : 
Blow t&y trump, and that andne 
(Quoth fhe) thou Eolus, I hote, 
An3 ring thefe folks works by rote. 
That all the world may of it heai^ j 
And he E:an blow their loos fo cleai-e, 
''' •n clarioune, 

"orld went the ibune, 
»a eke fo foft, 
u blown aTdf^. 



rut TEMPLE OF FASlE. 219 

And live therfe irien, wlio flight immortal fame ? 
Who then vWfh ifiCenfe fliaill adore bur name > 
But, mortals ! kftow, 'tis ftill our greateft pride. 
To blaze fhofe virtues which the godci would hide. 
Kift! Mufes, rife! add all 'your tuneful treath j 37^ 
Thefe muft not fleep in darknefs arid in death. 
She faid : in air the trembling mufic floats, 
And on the winds triumphant fwell the notes j 
So foft, though high, fo loud, and yet fo clear, 
Ev^n lifteriihg Angels lean from heaven to hear : 375 
To fartheft ihbres th' Ambrolial fpirit flies. 
Sweet to the world, and grateful to the fkies. 

Next thefe a youthful train their vo"\>vs exprefs'd. 
With feathers crown'd, with gay embroidery drefs'd : 
JliAer, fliey cry'd, dircft your eyes, and fee jSb' 

The men of pleafure, drefs, and gallantry ; 
Ours is the place at banquets, balls, and pla*;^, 
Sprightly our flights, polite are all our days ; 
Courts we firequeflt, V^^here 'tig our pleifin'g caVft 
'To- pay* rfoe vifits, and addrefs the fair : ^i^ 

In faft, 'tfe true, flo nymph \^e co\iM pftrMrfe, 
But ftill in fancy vanqurfh'd every itislA • 
Of unknown Dutdheflfes leMl tales ^ tdf, ' 
Tct, ^JWrtild di6 world bdie\'d us, all <yfte ^If, 
The j.oy let others have, and we the name," 390 

And what we want in pleafure, grant in fame. 

The Q^een aflents, the trumpet rends the Ikies, 
And at each blaft a Lady's hondur dies. 

Pleas'd with thfc ftrangb fuccefsy vift numbers preft 
Around th% A^e, and made the fame requeft : 395 

WVsaX 



1^ ISC *^'L TtB ^rr r^ y imfE l z. h. sitf Hd 

Tbt pscfue » firli- i=:£ ~-; inn ce sH- 
Sv-fczi.: :ris Vliii :l£r.r= fi^ids ibsciid fcmBd, 

Az/i izzrzi'^ z.Cii rz=, ^'zrz-zz^ ill Ac croud. 405 

LiS, tr-vi Trb3 b»3a* cf sigr-iyicifcluefs done^ 
EnCiTt t3«^ cc-jnny, or vicrp a dirczc j 
Or who tjbfu- glcr^'t dire fccsdaiion lay'd 
On (oTcreigcs r^in'd, cr en friends betray 'd ; 
Calm, diickicg rillaics, whcxn do faith cculd fix, 410 
Of crooked coucfels acd dark politics j 
Of thcfe a gloomy tribe fnrrcur. J the throne. 
And beg to make th* immortal treafons known. 
The trumpet roars» long flaky flames expire. 
With fparks, that feem'd to fet the world on fire. 415 
At the dread found, pale mortals flood agfaaft. 
And ftartled nature trembled with the blafl. 

This having beard and feen, fome power unknown 
Straight changed the fcene, and ihatch'd me fnmi the 
throne* 

Before 

IMITATIONS. 

Vcr, 406. Laft, thofc who boaft of mighty, &c.] 
Tho came another companye. 
That had y-done the treachery, Sec, 

Ver. 418. This having heard and feen, &c.] The 
Scene here changes from the Temple of Fame, to that 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. 211 

fore my view appeared a ftru£hire fair, 4.26 

fite unceitain, if in earth or air 5 
ith rapid motion turn'd the manfion round j 
ith ceafelefs noife the ringing walls reibund j 
t lefs in number were the fpacious doors, 
tan leaves on trees, or fands upon the fhores $ 425 
hich ftill unfolded ftand, by night, by day, 
iirious to winds, and open every way. 

flames by nature to the ikies afcend, ' 

weighty. bodies to the centie tend, 

A$ 

IMITATION. 

Rumour, which is almoft entirely Chaucef s. The 
rticulars follow, 

Tho faw I ftonde in a valey. 
Under the caftle faft by 
A houfe, that Domus Dedali 
That Labyrinthus cleped is, 
Nas made fo wonderly, I wis, 
Ne half fo queintlyy- wrought ; 
And evermo as fwift as thought, 
This queint houfe about went. 
That never more it ftill ftent — 
And eke this houfe hath of entrees. 
As many as leaves are on trees 
In Summer, when they ben grene ; 
And in the roof yet men may fene 
A thoufand hoels and well mo 
To letten the foune out-go j 
And by day in every tide, 
Ben all the doors open wide. 
And by night each one unfliet ; 
No porter is there one to let. 
No manner tydings in to pace ; 
Ne never reft is in that place. 



%%% p O P E'S P O E M p* 

^8 to the Tea Feturning rivers iqU^ ly 

And the touched needle treqibles to the pole \ 

Hither as to their proper place, suiie 

Ail various founds from earth, and ieas, apd ikiei^ 

Or fpokfe aloud, or whifper^d in the ear < 

Nor ever filenpe, yeft, or peace; is haie. a jj 

As on the finoot}i e^^nfe of cry;^ }akps 

The finking ftone at firft a cii-cle makes j 

The trembling furface, by the naotion |Kit'4, 

Spreads in a fecond circle, thea a t)iird f 

Wide, and more wide, the floating rings advance^ 440 

Fill all the watery plain, and to the mar^n dance z 

Thus every voice apd found, when firft they break* 

On neighbouring air a (oft impxeiEon inakc \ 

Another ambient circle then they move \ 

That, in its turn, impels the next abqve^ ^^ 

Through undulating air the founds are fent. 

And fpread o'er all the fluid element. 

There various news I heard of love and ftrife. 
Of peace and war, health, flcknefs, death, and life. 

Of 

IMITATION. 

Ver. 448. There vaiious news I heard, &c.] 
Of werres, of peace, of marriages. 
Of reft, of labour, of voyages. 
Of abode, of dethe, and of life, 
Of love and hate, accord and ftrife. 
Of lofs, of lore, and of winnings. 
Of hele, of ficknefs, and leflings. 
Of divers tranfmutations, 
Of eftates and eke of re&;ions. 
Of truft, of dred, of jeaTouiy, 
Of wit, of winning, and of folly. 



TH^i TEMPfE Ojp FAME. iij 

.Of lofs and gain, of famine ap4.of .ftore^ 4.5Q 

Of ftorms at Tea. and travels on the fhore. 

Of prodjgies, and portents feen ii^ air, 

Qf fires and plague?, and ftar.s widi blazing h^. 

Of turns of fortune, changes in the ^ate. 

The falls of favorites^ projefts <^^e great, 4.J5 

Of old mifmanagements, taa^atioj^s new : 

All neither w^kojlv falfe, ppr wholly true. 

Above, below, withput, lyitjiin, a^rpupd, 
ConfusM, uijnumberM multitudes are found, 
Y^ho pafS| repafs, advance, and glide ^way } 469 

tiofts raiyd by fear, and nhaiUoms of a day : 

Aftro* 

IMITATIONS. 

Of good, or bad goyemment, 
Of fire, and of diveirs accident. 
Vcr. 458. Above, below, without, within, &c.] 
Buf: fuch a grete congregation 
Of fvlj&p as I iaw roaque about. 
Some >yithin, and fome without, 
Was never feen, ne (hall be eft— 

And every wight that I faw there 
j(lqwn^d everich m pthers e|r 
A new tyding privily, 
Or elfe he tpld it openly 
Right thus, and faid, Knowft not thou 
Tiat is betide to-night now ? 
1^0, quoth he, te]! me what ? 
And then he told hin^i this and that, &c. 

■ Thus north and fouth 
Went every tyding from mouth to mouth| 
And that encreafing evermo, 
As gr^ is vro^ to quicl^n and go 
From a fparkle fprong ami(s, 
Till all the citee brent up is. 



/.::: ;r-t2^ udl ml.> yiTina,. imiiir img. laods 

I^.:: -;. LZ iJTrjz^ zr ZL Jzsns Iszrsi -piSirSg 
A-Ti. » ai .TTcgi-tmr; isr'i jt rpsrr ^rs. 

V.-ii".t LTT "aJc wn iDcoET iesr£ iax ^sU; 

Iz rTrrr rij^ 1: fpriii. ni srsTr ric^oe it pvw. J 

Krvri *rsT«l*c v>^ JrcrtaJe stqbi i dl s^ A to moutli. 
ilo ::vai z rpaziir '2:31 k'n^r-fii 5ra cnr ckicce, 475 

Wi*Ji gx*ijtri=^ iszzz dae tjgJrfcfnJBg tenet ad- 

T:'I to the clouds thsir cvnlog beads aQNiv^ 
Ar'J towers and tenples frr.k in floods of fire. 
Wbtr* thus ripe lies are to perfeHkm fjpnmg. 
Full grown, 2nd fit to grace a mortal tongue, 480 

Through thcuiand vents, impatient, fordi they 

flow. 
And rufti in millions on the world below. 
Fame fits aloft, and points them out their courfe. 
Their date determines, and prefcribes their force : 
Some to remain, and fome to perifli foon s 4S5 

Or wane and wax alternate like the moon. 
Around, a thoufand winged wonders fly. 
Borne by the tnimpet^s blaft, and fcatter'd through the 
iky. 

There, 



THE TEMPLE OF FAME. 2^5 

There, at one paffage, oft you might furvey 
A lie and truth contending for the way j 490 

And long 'twas doubtful, both fo clofely pent, 
Which firft fhould iiTue through the naiTow vent : 
At laft agreed, together out they fly, 
Infeparable now, the truth and lye j 
The ft rift companions are for ever join'd, 4.95 

And this or that unmix'd, no mortal e'er ihall find. 

While thus I ftood, intent to fee and bear, 
One came, methought, and whifperM in my ear : 
What could thus high thy raih ambition raife ? 
Art thou, fond youth, a candidate for praife ? 500 

'Tis true, faid I, not void of hopes I came, 
For who fo fond as youthful bards of Fame ? 
But few, alas ! the cafual bleflinf boaft, 
So hard to gain, fo eafy to be loft. 
How vain that fecond life in others breath, 505 

Th* eftate which wits inherit after death ! 
Eafe, health, and life, for this they mufti refign^ 
(Unfure the tenure, but how vaft the fine !) 
The great man's curfe, without the gains, endure. 
Be envy'd, wretched, and be flatter'd, poor 5 51© 

All lucklefs wits their enemies profeft, 
And all fuccefsful, jealous friends at beft. 

Nor 

IMITATION. 

Ver. 489. There, at onepaflage, &c.] 
Alid fometime I faw there at once, 
A leifing and a fad footh faw 
That eonnen at adventure draw 
Out of a window forth to pace— 
And no man, be he ever fo wrothe. 
Shall have one of thefe two, but bothe^ &c« 

Vol. I. Q^ 



2i6 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Nor Fame I flight, nor for her favours call j 

She comes unlook'd-for, if flic comes at all. 

But if the purchafe cofts fo dear a price ^i^ 

As foothing Folly, or exalting Vice : 

Oh ! if the Mufe mufl: flatter lawlefs fway. 

And follow ftill where fortune leads the way j 

Or if no bafis bear my rifmg name, 

But the fall'n rains of another's fame ; ^20 

Then, teach me, heaven ! to fcorn the guilty bays. 

Drive from my breaft that wi-etched lull of praife, 

Unblemifli'd let me live, or die unknown ; 

Oh grant an honeft fame, or grant me none t 



JANU- 



t "^ 3 
JANUARY 

AND 

MAY: 

O R> 

THE MERCHANT'S TALB. 

FROM CHAUCER. 

^T* HERE liv'd in Lombardy, as Authors write, 
-■- In days of old, a wife and worthy Knight j 
Of gentle manners, as of generous race, 
Bleft with much fenfe, more riches, and fome grace j 
Yet, led aftray by Venus' foft delights, 5 

He fcarce could rule fome idle appetites : 
For long ago, let Priefts fay what they cou'd. 
Weak fmful laymen were but fle(h and blood. 
But in due time, when fixty years were o'er. 
He vow'd to lead this vicious life no moitj 10 

Whether pure holinefs infpir'd his mind. 
Or dotage tum'd his brain, is hai'd to find ; 
But his high courage prick'd him forth to wed. 
And try the pleafurcs of a lawful bed. 
This was his nightly dream, his daily care, 15 

And to the heavenly powers his conftant prayer. 
Once ere he dy'd, to tafte the blifsful life 
Of a kind hufband and a loving wife. 

Thefe thoughts he fortify'd with realbns ftill, 
(For none want rcafons to confirm their will.) 10 



228 P O PK'S P O E M S, 

Grave authors fay, and witty poets fing. 

That honeft wedlock is a glorious thing : 

But depth of judgment moft in him appears> 

Who wifely weds in his maturer years. 

Then let him chufe a damfel young and fair, x 15 

To blels his age, and bring a worthy heir 5 

To footh his cares, and, free from noife and ftrife, 

Condud him gently to the verge of life. 

Let llnful batchelors their woes deplore. 

Full well they merit all they feel, and more : 39 

UnawM by precepts human or divine. 

Like birds and beafb promifcuouily they join i 

Nor know to make the prefent blefling laft» 

To hope the future, or efteem the paft : 

But vainly boaft the joys they never try'd, 3^ 

And find divulg d the fecrets they would hide. 

The marry'd man may bear his yoke with ca(c> 

Secure at once himfelf and heaven to pleaie j 

And pafs his inoffenfive hours away, 

In blii's all night, and innocence all day ! 40 

Though fortune change, his conftant fpoufe remains. 

Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains. 

But what fo pure, which envious tongues will ipavc? 
Some wicked wits have libel*d all the fair. 
With matchlefs impudence they ftyle a wife ^t 

The dear-bought curfe, and lawful plague of life; 
A bofom-ferpent, a domeftic evil, 
A night- invafion, and a mid-day devil. 
Let not the wife thefe flanderous words regard. 
But curie the bones of every lying bard. ^ 

Ail 



JANUARY AND MAY. 229 

All other goods by fortune's hand are given, 

A wife is the peculiar gift of heaven. 

Vain fortune's favours, never at a ftay. 

Like empty fliadows, pafs, and glide away ; 

One folid comfort, our eternal wife, 55 

Abundantly fupplies us all our life : 

This blefling lafts (if thofe who try fay true) 

As long as heart can wiih— and longer too* 

Our grandfire Adam, ere of Eve poi&ft. 
Alone, and ev**i in Paradife unblefs*d, 60 

With mournful looks the blifsful fcenes furvcyM, 
And wander'd in the folitary fliade : 
The Maker faw, took pity, and beftow^d 
Woman, the laft, the beft referv'd of God* 

A Wife I ah gentle deities, can he 65 

That has a wife, e'er feel adverfity ? 
Would men but follow what the fex advife, 
All things would ptofper, all the world grow wife. 
*Twas by Rebecca's aid that Jacob won 
His father's bleffing from an elder fon « yo 

Abufive Nabal ow'd his forfeit life 
To the wife condu£^ of a prudent wife { 
Heroic Judith, as old Hebrews ihow, 
Preferv'd the Jews, and flew th' Aflyrian foe t 
At Hefter's iiiit, the perfecuting fword 75 

Was flieath'd, and Ifrael liv'4 to blefs the Lord. 

Thefe weighty motives, Januaiy the fage 
Maturely pondcr'd in his riper age 5 
And, charm'd with virtuous joys and fober life, 
Would try that Chriftian comfort, cail'd a wife, «o 



13© P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

His friends were fummon'd on a point fo nice. 
To pafs their judgment, and to give advice j 
But fixM before, and well refolvM was he 5 
(As men that aik advice ai-e wont to be.) 

My fiicnds, he cry'd (and caft a mournful look 8 5 
Around the room, and figh'd before he fpoke :) 
Beneath the weight of threefcore years I bend. 
And worn with ccires, and haftening to my end j 
How I have liv*d, alas ! you know too well. 
In worldly follies, which I bluih to tell ; go 

But gracious heaven has ope'd my eyes at laft. 
With due regret I view my vices paft. 
And, as the precept of the Church decrees. 
Will take a \vife, and live in holy cafe. 
But, fmce by counfel all things (hould be done, 05 

And many heads are wifer ftill than one ; 
Chufe you for me, who beft (hall be content 
When my defire '6 approved by your confent. 

One caution yet is needful to be told. 
To guide your choice ; this wife muft not be old : 100 
There goes a faying, and 'twas (hi*ewdly faid. 
Old fifh at table,, but young flefli in bed. 
My foul abhors the taftplefs, dry embi-ace 
Of a ftale virgin with a winter face : 
In that cold feafon X-ove but treats his gueft J05 

With bean-ftraw, and tough forage at the beft. 
No crafty widows fhall approach my bed j . 
Thofe are too wife- for batchelors to wed ; 
As fubtle clerks by many-fchools are made, 
Twicc-jnany*d dames are miftrefles o' th' trade ; no 



JANUARY AND MAY. aji 

But young and tender virgins rurd with eafe. 

We form like wax, and mould them as we pleafe. 
Conceive me, Sirs, nor take my fenfe amifs ; 

^Tis what concerns my foul's eternal blifs i 

Since if I found no pleafure in my fpoufe, 115 

As flefh is frail, and who (God help me) knows ? 

Then ftiould I live in lewd adultery. 

And fmk downright to Satan when I die. 

Or were I curs'd with an unfruitful bed. 

The righteous end were loft, for which I wedj jao 

To raife up feed to blefs the powers above^ 

And not for pleafure only, or for love. 

Think not I doat ; *tis time to take a wife. 

When vigorous blood forbids a chafter life : 

Thofe 4hat are bleft with ftore of grace divine, 1*5 

May live like faints, by heaven's confent and mine. 

And iince I fpeak of wedlock, let me fay, 
(As, thank myftars, in modeft truth I may) 
My limbs are a6live, ftill I'm found at hearty 
And a new vigour fprings in every part* 130 

Think not my virtue loft, though time has (hed 
Thefe reverend honours on my hoary head j 
Thus trees are crown'd with bloffoms white as fiiow. 
The vital fap then rifing from below s 
Old as I am, my lufty limbs appear x 35 

Like winter gieens, that flouiiih all the year* 
Now, Sirs, you know to what I ftand inclined. 
Let every friend with freedom fpeak his mind. 

He faid ; the reft in different parts divide ; 
The knotty point was urg'd on either fide : 140 

0^4 Marriage, 



as* P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Marriage, the theme on which they all declaimed. 
Some prais'd with wit, and fome with reafon blain''d. 
Till, what with proofs, objeftions, and replies. 
Each wondious pofitive, and wondrous wife. 
There fell between his brothers a debate, 145 

Placebo tlm was call'd, and Juftin that. 

Firft to the Knight Placebo thus begun 
(Mild were his looks, and plcafing was his tone) : 
Such prudence. Sir, in all your words appears. 
As plainly proves, experience dwells with years ! 150 
Yet you purfue fagc Solomon's advice. 
To work by counfel when affairs are nice : 
But, with the Wife Man's leave, I muft proteft, | 

So may my foul arrive at eafe and reft I 

As ftill I hold your own advice the beft. ' 55 I 

Sir, I have liv'd a Courtier all ray dajrs, 
And ftudy'd men, their manners, and their ways ) 
And have obfci-vM this ufeful maxim ftill. 
To let my betters always have their will. 
Nay, if my Lord affirmM that black was white, 160 
My word was this. Your honour 's in the right. 
Th* alTuming Wit, who deems himfelf fo wife. 
As his miftaken patron to advife. 
Let him not dare to vent his dangerous thought, 
A noble fool was never in a fault. 165 

This, Sir, affefls not you, whofe every word 
Is weigh'd with judgment, and befits a Lord : 
Your will is mine; and is (I will maintain) 
Pleafing to God, and (hould be fo to man ! 
At Icaft, your courage all the world muft praife, 170 
Who dare to wed in your declining days. 



JANUARY AND MAY. 233 

Indulge the vigour of your mounting blood. 

And let grey fools be indolently good, 

"Who, paft all pleafure, damn the joys of fenfe. 

With reverend dulnefs, and grave impotence. 175 

Juftin, who filent fat, and heard the man. 
Thus, with a philofophic frown, began. 

A heathen author of the firft degree, 
(Who, though not Faith, had Senfe as well as we) 
Bids us be certain our concerns to truft igo 

To thofe of generous principles, and juft. 
The venture 's greater, I'll prefume to fay. 
To give your perfon, than your goods away : 
And therefore. Sir, as you regard your reft, 
Firft learn your lady's qualities at leaft : 185 

Whether flie *s chafte or rampant, proud or civil. 
Meek as a faint, or haughty as the devil j 
Whether an eafy, fond, familiar fool. 
Or fuch a wit as no man e'er can rule. 
'Tis true, perfe^ion none muft hope to find 19* 

In all this world, much lefs in womankind ; 
But, if her virtues prove the larger ihare, 
Blefs the kind fates, and think your fortune rare. 
Ah, gentle Sir, take warning of a friend. 
Who knows too well the ftate you thus commend 5 195 
And, fpite of all his praifes, muft declare, 
> All he can find is bondage, coft, and care. 
Heaven knows, I flied full many a private tear, 
And figh in filence, left the world fliould heai* ! 
While all my friends applaud my blifsful life, io« 

And fwear no mortal '» happier ia ft wife | 



234. P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Demure and chafte as any veftal Nun, 

The mcekeft creature that beholds the fun ! 

But, by th' immortal powers, I feel the pain. 

And he that fmarts has reafon to complain. ^05 

Do what you lift, for me ; you muft be fage. 

And cautious fure ; for wifdom is in age : 

But at thefe years, to venture on the fair 9 

By him who made the ocean, earth, and air. 

To pleafe a wife, when her occafions call, %io 

Would bufy the moft vigorous of us all. 

And truft me, Sir, the chafteft you can chule 

Will a(k obfervance, and exaft her dues. 

If what I fpeak my noble Lord offend. 

My tedious fermon here is at an end. 215 

'Tis well, 'tis wondrous well, the Knight replies, 
Moft worthy kinfman, faith you're mighty wife 1 
We, Sirs, are fools j and muft refign the caufe 
To heathenifli authors, proverbs, and old faws. 
He fpoke with fcorn, and tum'd another way :— 220 
What does my friend, my dear Placebo, fay ? 

I fay, quoth he, by heaven the man 's to blame. 
To (lander wives, and wedlock's holy name. 

At this the council rofe, without delay 5 
Each, in his own opinion, went his way ; 215 

With full confent, that, all difputcs appeasM, 
The knight fhould many, when and where he pleasM. 

Who now but January exults with joy ? 
The charms of wedlock all his foul employ ; 
"^ ^ nymph by turns his wavering mind poiTcft, 210 
^ign'd the ihort-liv'd tyrant of his breaft 5 

While 



JANUARY AND MAY. ^35 

"Wliile fancy piftur'd every lively part, 

And each bright image wander'd o'er his heart. 

Thus, in fome public Forum fixM on high, 

A Mirrour fhows the figures moving by j 2,35 

Still one by one, in fwift fucceflion, pafs 

The gliding fliadows o'er the polKh'd glafs. 

This Lady's charms the niceft could not blame. 

But vile fufpicions had aipers'd her fame 5 

That was with fenfe, but not with virtue, bleft j 24.0 

And one had grace, that wanted all the reft. 

Thus doubting long what nymph he ihould obey. 

He fixt at laft upon the youthful May. 

Her faults he knew not. Love is always blind. 

But every charm revolv'd within his mind : 245 

Her tender age, her form divinely fair. 

Her eafy motion, her attra6live air, 

Her fweet behaviour, her enchanting face, 

Her moving foftnefs, and majeftic ^race. 

Much in his prudence did our knight rejoice, 250 
And thought no mortal could difpute his choice : 
Oince more in hafte he fummon^d every friend, 
And told them all, their pains were at an end. 
Heaven, that ({aid he) infpir'd me firft to wed. 
Provides a confort worthy of my bed : 255 

Let none oppofe th* ele^on, fince on this 
Depends my quiet, and my future blifs. 

A dame there is, the darling of my eyes. 
Young, beauteous, artlefs, innocent, and wife ; 
Chafte, though not rich ; and, though not nobly bom. 
Of honcft parents, and may ferve my turn. 

Her 



236 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Her will I wed, if gracious Heaven fo pleaie j 

To pafs ray age in fanftity and eafe : 

And thank the powers, I may polTefs alone 

The lovely prize, and (hare my blifs with none ! 165 

If you, my friends, this virgin can procure^ 

My joys are full, my haj^inefs is fure. 

One only doubt remains : Full oft I've heard. 
By cafuifts grave, and deep divines averrM ; 
That 'tis too much for human race to know ^70 

The blifs of heaven above, and earth below. 
Now ihould the nuptial pleafures prove fo great. 
To match the bleffings of the future ftate, 
Thofe endlefs joys were ill-exchang'd for thefe j 
Then clear this doubt, and fet my mind at eafe. 175 

This Juftin heard, nor could his fpleen control, 
Touch'd to the quick, and tickled at the foul. 
Sir Knight, he cry'd, if this be all you dread. 
Heaven put it paft your doubt, whene'er you wed j 
And to my fervent prayers fo far confent, 2 So 

That, ere the rites are o'er, you may I'epent ! 
Good Heaven) no doubt, the nuptial ftate approves. 
Since it chaftifes ftill what beft it loves. 
Then be not, . Sir, abandon'd to defpair ; 
Seek, and perhaps you'll find among the fair. 
One that may do your bufinefs to a hair ^ 
Not ev'n in wifli, your happinefs delay. 
But prove the fcoiirge to laih you on your way : 
Then to the ikies your mounting foul ihall go. 
Swift aft an arrow foaring from the bow I ^90 

Provided 



I 



JANUARY AND MAY. 237 

Provided ftill, you moderate yoUr joy. 

Nor in your pleafures all your might employ, 

Let reafon's rule your ftrong defiies abate. 

Nor pleafe too laviihly your gentle mate. 

Old wives there are, of judgment moft acute, 295 

Who folve thefe queftions beyond all difpute j 

Confult with thofe, and be of better chear; 

Marry, do penance, and difmifs your fear. 

So faid, they rofe, nor more the work delay'd; 
The match was offered, the propofals made. 30* 

The parents, you may think, would foon comply j 
The Old have intereft ever in their eye. 
Nor was it haid to move the Lady's mind ; 
When fortune favours, ftill the Fair are kind. 

I pafs each previous fettlement and deed, 305 

Too long for me to write, or you to read ; 
Nor will with quaint impertinence difplay 
The pomp, the pageantry, the proud array. 
The time approached, to Church the parties went, 
At once with carnal and devout intent t 3x« 

Forth came the Prieft, and bade th' obedient wife 
Like Sarah or Rebeccah lead her life : 
Then pray'd die powers the fruitful bed to blefs. 
And made all fure enough with holinefs. 

And now the palace-gates are openM wide, 31 
The guefts appear in order, fide by fide, 
And plac'd.in date the bridegroom and the bride. 
The breathing flute's foft notes are heard around, 
And the fhrill trumpets mix their filver found i 

The 



315) 



23? P O P E'S P O E M S. 

The vaulted roofs with echoing mufic nn^, jjo 

Thefe touch the vocal ftops, and thofe the titmbling 

ftring. 
Not thus Amphlon tun'd the warbling bfe. 
Nor Joab the founding clanon could infpire. 
Nor fierce Theodamas, whofe fprightU' ftrain 
Could fweil the foul to rage, and fire the martial train. 

Bacchus himfelf, the nuptial feaft to grace, 
(So Poets fmg) was prefent on the place : 
And lovely Venus, Goddefs of delight. 
Shook high her flaming torch in open fight. 
And dancM around, and fmil'd on every Knight : 
PleasM her bcft fervant would his courage try. 
No lefs in wedlock, than in liberty. 
Full many an age old Hymen had not fpy'd 
So kind a bridegroom, or fo bright a bride. 
Ye bards ! renown'd among the tuneful throng 335 
For gentle lays, and joyous nuptial fong j 
Think not your fofteft numbers can difplay 
The matchlefs glories of this blifsful day : 
The joys are fuch, as far tranfcend your rage 
When tender youth has wedded ftooping age. 340 

The beauteous dame fat fmiling at the board. 
And darted amorous glances at her Lord. 
Not Ilefter's felf, whofe charms the Hebrews fing, 
E*er looked fo lovely on her Perfian King : 
Bright as the rifmg fun, in fummer's day, -^^ 

And frefli and blooming as the month of May ! 
The joyfid Knight furvey'd her by his fide. 
Nor envy\l Paris with the Spartan bride : 

Sdll 



JANUARY AND MAY. 235 

Still as his mind revolvM with vaft delight 

Th' entrancing raptures of th' approaching night, 350 

Reftlefs he fate, invoking every power 

To fpeed his blifs, and hafte the happy hour. 

Meantime the vigorous dancers beat the ground, 

And fongs were fung, and flowing bowls went round* 

With odorous fpices they perfum'd the place, 355 

And mirth and pleafure fhone in every face. 

Damian alone, of all the menial train. 
Sad in the midft of triumphs, figh'd for pain 5 
Damian alone, the Knight's obfequious fquire, 
Confum'd at heart, and fed a fecret fire. 360 

Kis lovely Miftrefs all his foul j^offefs'd. 
He look'd, he languifh'd, and could take no reft : 
His taik perform'd, he fadly went his way. 
Fell on his bed, and loathM the light of day. 
There let him lie j till his relenting dame 365 

Weep in her turn, and wafte in equal flame. 

The weary fun, as leai'ned Poets write, 
Forfook th' Horizon, and roU'd down the light j 
While gjittering ftars his abfent beams fuppiy. 
And night's dark mantle overfpread the flty. 370 

Then rofe the guefts ; and, as the time requir'd. 
Each paid his thanks, and decently retir'd. 

The fpe once gone, our Knight prepar'd t' undrefs,. 
So keen he was, and eager to poflefs : 
But firft thought fit th' afliftance to receive, 375 

Which grave Phyficians fcruple not to give j 
Satyrion near, with hot Eringos fl^ood, 
Cantharides, to fire the lazy blood. 



»4o POPE'S POEMS. . 

Whofe ufe old Bards defcribe In luicious ili^mo . 
And Critics leam'd expbuD to modem times. 3S0 

By this the (heets were fpread, the bride ondiefs^d, 
The room was fprinkled, and the bed was bleis^d. 
^Vhat next cnfucd befeems not me to fayj 
i'is Tung, he laboured till the dawning day. 
Then brilkly fprung from bed, with beart Co light. 
As all were nothing he had done by night ; 
And fipM his cordial as he fat upright. 
He kifsM his balmy fpoufe with wanton play^ 
And feebly fung a lufty roundelay: 
Then on the couch his weary limbs he caft : «oo 

For every labour muft have reft at laft. 

But anxious cares the penfive Squire opprefs'd. 
Sleep fled his eyes, and peace forfook his breaft; 
The raging flames that in his bofom dwell, 
lie wanted art to hide, and means to tell, 3^5 

Yet hoping time th' occafion might betray, 
Coin)>o8*d a fonnet to the lovely May 5 
Whii'h, writ and folded with the niceft art. 
He wrn))])\l in filk, and laid upon his heart. 

When now the fourth revolving day was run, ado 
(*Tw:i8 June, and Cancer had received the Sun) 
Forth iVom her chamber came the beauteous bride j 
The good ol<l Knight rnovM flowly by her fide. 
High mafs was fung j they fcafted in the hall ; 
The Tcivants round ftood ready at their call. ^^ 

The Sijuiixj ttlone was abfent from the board. 
And much hiv Ackiicfs griev'd his worthy Lord, 

Who 



1 



JANUARY AND MAY. «4i 

Who prayM his fpoufe, attended with her train>' 

To vifit Damiany and divert his pain. 

Th' obliging dames obey'd with one confent; 410 

They left the hall, and to his lodging went. 

The female tribe furround him as he lay. 

And clofe befide him fate the gentle May ; 

Where, as flie try'd his pulfe, he foftly drew 

A heaving figh, and caft a moiimful view ! 415 

Then gave his bill, and brib'd the powers divine^ 

With fecret vows, to favour his deiign. 

Who ftudies now but difcontented May ? 
On her foft couch uneafily flie lay : 
The lumpifli hufband fnor'd away the night, 420 

Till coughs awak'd him neai* the morning light. 
What then he did. Til not prefume to tell, 
Nor if (he thought herfelf in heaven or hell : 
Honeft and dull in nuptial bed they lay, 
Till the bell toll'd, and all arofc to pray. 415 

Were it by forceful deftiny decreed, 
Or did from chance, or nature^s power proceed j 
Or that fome ftar, with afpe^l kind to loye> 
Shed its fele6left influence from above ; 
Whatever was the caufe, the tender dame 430 

Felt the firft motions of an infant flame 3 
Received th' imprcflions of the love-iick Squire, 
And wafted in the foft infe6Hous fire : 

Ye fair, draw near, let May's example move 
Yotir gentle minds to pity thofe who love ! 435 

Had fome fierce tyi-ant in her fl:cad been found. 
The poor adorer Aire had hang'd, or drown'd : 

Vol, I, R Bx^^ 



24-2 P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

But (he, your fex's mirrour, fi-ee from pride^ 
Was much too meek, to prove a homicide. 

But to my tale : Some fages have definM 440 

Plcafure the fovereign blifs of human-kind : 
Our Knight (who ftudy'd much, we may fuppofe) 
Derived his high philofophy from thofe; 
For, like a prince, he bore the vaft expence 
Of lavifh pomp, and proud magnificence : 445 

His houfe was ftately, his retinue gay. 
Large was his train, and gorgeous his array. 
His fpacious garden, made to yield to none. 
Was compafs^d round with walls of folid ftone ; 
Priapus could not half defcribe the grace 4^ 

(Though God of gardens) of this charming place: 
A place to tire the rambling wits of France 
In long defcriptions, and exceed Romance $ 
Enough to ihame the gentleft bard that fings 
Of painted meadows, and of purling fpring*. 455 

Full in the centre of the flowery ground, 
A cryftal fountain fpread its ftreams around. 
The fi-uitful banks with verdant laurels crown*d : 
About this fpring (if ancient fame fay true) 
The dapper Elves their moon-light fports purfuc : 460 
Their pigmy king, and little fairy queen. 
In circling dances gamboPd on the green, 
WI»?le tuneful fprites a merry concert made. 
And aiiy muilc warbled through the fliade. 

Hither the noble knight would oft repair, 465 

(His I'cenc of plcafure, and pcculiw care) 

For 



JANUARY AND MAY. 24.3 

For this he held it dear, and always lH>re . 

The filver key that locked the garden -dop)r. 

To this fweet place in fummcr's fultry heat. 

He us'd firo^i noife and bufinefs to retreat ^ 4^0 

And here in dalliance fpend tlic live-long day, 

*< Solus cum fola," with his fprightly May, 

For whatever work was undir<;harg'd a-be4. 

The duteous kqight in this fair garden fped. 

But, ah ! what mortal lives of blifs fecure ? 475 

How fhort a fpace our worldly joys endure I 
O Fortune, fair, like all thy treacherous kind. 
But faithlefs ftill, and wavering as the wind I 
O painted monfter, form'd mankind to cheats 
With pleafing poifon, and with foft deceit ! 480 

This rich, this amorous vcnerablci knightj 
Amidft his eafe, his folace and delight, 
Sti-uck blind by thee, reiigns his days to grief> 
And calls on death, the wretches laft relief. 

The rage of jealoufy then fei2*d his mind, 485 

For much he fear'd the faith of woman-kind. 
His wife, not fuffer'd from his fide to ftray, 
Was captive kept; he watchM her night and day, 
AbridgM her pleafures, and confined her fway. 
Full oft in tears did ha^lefs May complain, 490 

And %h'd full oft ; but figb'd and wept in vain : 
She look'd on Damian with a lover's eye, 
^or,. oh; 'twas fix'd j ihe muft poflcfs or die { 
Nor lefs jmp^tience ytx'd her amorous Sqiurc, 
Wild with deUy, . a^ b^r^ing with defu-c. 495 

R a Watsch'd 



I 



944 TOP E^S POEMS. 

Wirc^'d ::$ &e w&s, TCt could he not irfraun 
Bv :rcm writing to difdoft bis pain : 
Th? dame by figns renealM bcr kind intent, 
Ti21 bodi were ccoifcicns wbat odi other meant. 

Ah, gmtle Knigit, what w^ould thy eyes avail, 500 
Though they could fee as far as fliips can fail ? 
*Tis bciTer, lure, when blind, deccirM to be. 
Than be deluded when a man can iee ! 

Argus himielf, fo cautious and fo wiie. 
Was over-watchM, for all his hnndred eyes ; 505 

Sa many an honeft hufband may, ^tis known, 
\\'ho, wifely, never thinks the cafe his own. 

The dame at laft, by diligence and care. 
Procured the key her Knight was wont to bear j 
She took the wards in wax before the fire, 510 

And gave th* impreifion to the tnifty Squire. 
By means of this, fome wonder fhall appear. 
Which, in doe place and feafon, you may hear. 

Well fung fwe^ Orid, in the days of yore. 
What flight is that, which love will not explore ? 515 
And Pyramus and Thifbe plainly fhow 
The feats true lovers, when they lift, can do : 
Though watcbM and captive, yet in fpite of all. 
They found the art of kiting through a wall. 

But now no longer from our tale to fbay ; 520 
It happ'd, that once upon a fummer^s day, 
Our reverend Knight viras urgM to amorous play ^ 
JIc rais'd his fpoufe ere Matin-bell was rupg, 
find thus his mprning canticle he fung. 

Awake» 



JANUARY AND MAY. 24.5 

Awake, my love, difclofe thy radiant eyes j 5^5' 

Arife, my wife, my beauteous lady, rife ! 
Hear how the doves with penfive notes complain,' 
And in foft murmurs tell the trees theu- pain ; 
The winter *s paft ; the clouds and tempers ily ; 
The fun adorns the fields, and brightens all the Jky. 
Fair without fpot, whofe every charming part 
My bofom wounds, and captivates my heart: 
Come, and in mutual pleafures let's engage, 
Joy of my life, and comfoit of my age. 

This heard, to Damian ftraight a fign ihe made, 535 
To hafte before j the gentle Squire obey'd : 
Secret, and undefcryM, he took his way. 
And ambaih''d clofe behind an arbour lay. 

It was not long ere January came. 
And hand in hand with him his lovely dame ; 540 

Blind as he was, not doubting all was fure. 
He tumM die key, and niade the gate fecune. 

Here let us walk, he ikid, obfervM by none, 
Confciouft of pleafm-es to the world unknown ; 
So may my foul have joy, as thou, my wife, 545 

Art far the deareft folace of my life $ 
And rather would I chufe, by Heaven above. 
To die this inftant, than to loie thy love. 
Reflefl what truth was in my pafiion fliewn^ 
When unendowed I took thee for my own, 550 ] 

And fought no treafure but thy heart alone* 
Old as I amy ^nd now deprived of fight, 
Whilft thou art faithful to thy own true Knight^ 
Nor age nor blindnefs rob me of delight. 

R 3 "SL^sSo^ 



1 
I 



«4j5 POPE'S poems. 

Each other lofs with patience I can bear, 555 

. The lofs of thee is what I only fear. 

Confider then, my lady, and my wife. 
The folid comforts of a virtuous life. 
As, firft> the love of Chrift himfelf you gain 5 
Next, your x>wn honour undefilM maintain ; ^60 

And laftly, that which fure your mmd muft move. 
My whole eftate fhall gratify your love : 
Make your own terms, and ere to-morrow*s fun 
Difplays his light, by Heaven, it fliall be done. 
I feal the contraft with a holy kifs, ^65 

And will perform, by this— my dear, and this— 
Have comfort, fpoufe, nor think thy Lord unkind 5 
'Tis love, not jealoufy, that fires my mind. 
For when thy charms my fober thoughts engage. 
And join'd to them my own unequal age, ^0 

From thy deai- fide I have no power to part. 
Such fecrct tranfports warm my melting heart. 
For who, that once poffefsM thofe heavenly charms. 
Could live one moment abfent from thy arms ? 

He ceas'd, and May with raodeft grace rfepiy'd; 575 
(Weak was her voice, as while fhe fpoke fhe cry'd:) 
Heaven knows (with that a tender figh ihe drew) 
I have a foul to fave as well as you 5 
And, what no lefs you to my charge conimend. 
My deareft honour, will to death defend* ^go 

To you in holy Church I gave my hand. 
And joinM my heart in wedlock's facred bapd | 
Yet, after this, if you diftruft my care. 
Then hear, my I^rd, and witnefs what I fvvaUr* 

Fii4 



JANUARY AND MAY. 14/ 

Firft may the yawning earth her bofom rend* 5E 5 
And let me hence to hell alive defcend ; 
Or die the death I dread no lefs than hell, 
SewM in a fack, and plungM into a well j 
Ere I my fame by one lewd aft difgrace. 
Or once renounce the honour of my race, 590 

For know, Sir Knight, of gentle blood I came, 
I loath a whore, and ftartk at the name. 
But jealous men on their own crimes refleft. 
And learn from thence their ladies to fufpeft : 
Elfe why thefe needlefs cautions. Sir, to me ? 595 

Thcfe doubts and fears of female conftancy ! 
This- chime ftill rings in every lady's ear. 
The only ftrain a wife muft hope to hear. 

Thus while fhe fpoke, a iidelong glance fhe caft, 
"Where Damian, kneeling, worfhip'd as fhe paft. 600 
She faw him watch the motions of her eye. 
And (ingled out a pear-tree plaxYted nigh : 
'Twas charg'd with fruit tJiat made a goodly fho^. 
And hung with dangling pears was every bough. 
Thither th' obfequious Squire addEefs*d his pace, 6p5 
And, climbing, in die fummit took his place ^ 
The Knigfht and Lady walk^xll>eneath in view, ' 
Where let us leave them, and* our tale purfue. ' 

'Twas now the feafon when the glorious fun 
Hi J heavenly progrefs through the Twins had run 3 610 
And Jove, exalted, his mild influent yields. 
To glad the glebe, and paint ^ Howery fields^ 
Clear was the day, and Pkoebtis, rifing bright. 
Had ftreak^d the a^iue firmament with light j 

R4. IXs^ 



i 



148 P O P E ' S P O E M S, 

He piercM the glittering clouds ^th golden ftreams. 
And warm'd the womb of earth with genial beams. 

It Co befel, in that fair moniing-tide. 
The Fairies fported on the garden-fide, 
And in the midft their Monarch and his bride. 
So featly tripp'd the light-foot ladies round, 620 

The knights fo nimbly o'er the greenfword bound. 
That fcarce they bent the flowers, or touchM the | 

ground. 

The dances ended, all the fairy train 
For pinks and daifies fearchM the flowery plain $ 
While, on a bank reclin'd of riiing green, 625 

Thus, with a frown, the King befpoke his Qjieen. 

*Tis too apparent, argue what you can. 
The treachery you women ufe to man : 
A thoufand authors have this truth made out. 
And fad experience leaves no room for doubt. 630 

Heaven reft thy fpirit, noble Solomon, 
A wifer monarch never (aw the fun $ 
All wealth, all honours, the fupreme degree 
Of earthly blifs, was well beftow'd on thee I 
For fagely haft thou faid : Of all mankind, 635 

One only juft and righteous hope to find s 
But fhouldft thou fearch the fpacious world around^ 
Yet one good woman is not to be found. 

Thus (ays the King, who knew your wickednefs s 
The fon of Sirach teftifies no lefs. 640 

So mayfome wildfire on your bodies fall. 
Or fome devouring plague confume you all] 

Am 



JANUARY AND MAY. ^49 

As well you view the leacher in the tree. 

And well this honourable Knight you fee : 

But fince he *s blind and old (a helplefs cafe) 645 

His Squire fhall cuckold him before your face* 

Now, by my own dread majefty I fwear. 
And by this awful fceptre which I bear. 
No impious wi-etch ihall 'fcape unpunifhM long. 
That in my prefence offers fuch a wrong. 650 

I will this inilant undeceive the Knight, 
And in the very aft reftore his fight : 
And fet the fti-umpet here in open view, 
A warning to thefe Ladies, and to you. 
And all the faithlefs fex, for ever to be true. 655 i 

And will you fo, reply'd the Queen, indeed ? 
Now, by my mother's foul it is decreed. 
She ihall not want an anfwer at her need. 
For her, and for her daughters, 1*11 engage. 
And all the fex in each fucceeding age I 660 

Art ihall be theirs, to vamiib an offence. 
And fortify their crimes with confidence, , 

Nay, were diey taken in a ftrid embrace. 
Seen with both eyes, and pinionM on the pUce i 
All they (hall need is to proteft and fwear, ' 665 

Breathe a foft figh, and drop a tender tear $ 
Till their wife hufbands, gulPd by arts like thefe. 
Grow gentle, tradable, and tame as geefe. 

What though this ilanderous Jew, this Solomon, 
CalPd women fools, and knew full many a one $ 67^ 
The wifer wits of later times declare. 
How conftant, chaffe, and virtuous women ai«s 

Witnefi 



] 



jija POPE'S POEMS. 

Witncfs the martyrs, who refign'd their breath. 
Serene in tormtnts, unconcemM in death 5 
iVnd witneljt next what Roman authors tell, € 

How Arrisj Portia, and Lucretia fell. 

But, fince the facred leaves to all are free> 
And men interpret texts, why ihould not we ? 
By this no more was meant, than to have fhown, 
Xhat fovereign goodnefs dwells in him alone 680 
Who only is, a^d is but only One. 
But grant the worft ; fliall women then be weigh'd 
By every word thait- Solomon has faid ? 
What though thii- King (as ancient ftory boafts) 
Buiits fair Temple to die Lord of Hofts j i 

He ceas'd at laft his Maker to adore, 
Aibd did as much for Idol gods, or more* 
Btware what laviih praifes you confer 
On a rank kairhcr and idolater ; 
Wbbfe reign, indulgent God, fays holy writ, t 

Did but for DauM's righteous fake permit; 
David, the monai^ after Heaven's own mind. 
Who lov'd our <fex> and honoured all our kind. 

Well, I *ni a Woman, and as fuch muft fpeak; 
Silcftce ^^rould iwdl me, and my heart would break. 
Know then, I icom your dull authorities. 
Your icile witt, and all their learned lies. 
By Heaven, thofe authors are om* fex*s foes. 
Whom, in our right, I muft and will oppofe. 

Nay (quolh .the King) dear Madam, be not wrotl 
I yield it up $ but fince I gave my oath, i 

That this much is^t i^n ihould fee t 

Itiiraftbed( '^laidhe^ 

i 



JANUARY AND MAY. %sr 

And one, whofe faith has ever facred been. 

And fo has mine (Ihe faid)— I am a Q«een : 765. 
Her anfwer fhe fhall have, I imdertakef 
And thus an .end of all difpute I make. 
Try when, you lift ; and you (hall find, my Lord, 
It is not in otur fex to break our word. 
. We leave them here in this heroic ftrain, 7x» 

And to the Knight our ftory turns again j 
Who in the garden, with his lovely May, 
Sung merrier than liie Cuckow or the Jay : 
This was his. fong ; << Oh kind and conftant be, 
** Gonftant and kind Til ever prove to thee." 715 

Thus finging as he went, at laft he drew 
By eafy fteps, to where the Pear-tree grew^ 
The lohging dame look'd up, and fpy'd'her Love 
Full fairly p^rch'd among the boughs above. 
She ftopp'd, and fighing: Oh good Gods ! flie cry'd. 
What pangs^ what fudden flioots, diftend my fide ! 
O for that tempting fruit, fo frefli, fo green $ 
Help, for the idve of Heaven's immortal Queen I 
Help, deareft Lord, and fave at once the lifts 
Of ^y poor infant, and thy longing wife ! 7*5 

Sore fi^'d the Knight to hear his Lady's cry. 
But could 'n«( clinib, and had ho fervant nigh s 
Old as he ^as^ sind void of eye-fight too. 
What could, alas 1 a helplefs hufband do f 
AAd muft I languiih then, ihe faid, and die, 7)^ 

Yet view the. lovely fruit before imy eye ? 
At leaft, kind Sir, for charity's fweet fake, 
Youchfafe the tnmk between your anns to take; 

Then 



25* POPE'S POEMS. 

Then from your back I might afcend the tree; 

Do you but ftoop, and leave the reft to me. 755 

With all my foul, he thus reply'd again, 
I'd fpcnd my deareft blood to eafe thy pain. 
With that, his back againft the trunk he bent» 
She feizM a twig, and up the tree fhe went. 
- Now prove your patience, gentle ladies all ! 740 
Nor let on me your heavy anger fall t 
*Ti9 truth I tell, though not in phrafe refinM { 
Though blunt my tale, yet honeft is my mind. 
What feats the Lady in the Tree might do, 
I pafs, as gambols never known to you j 74.5 

But fure it was a merrier fit, ihe fwore. 
Than in her life ihe ever felt before. 

In that nice moment, lo ! the wondering knight 
Lookt out, and ftood reftor*d to fudden fight. 
Straight on the tree his eager eyes he bent, 750 

As one whofe thoughts were on his fpoufe intent j 
But when he faw his bofom-wife fo drefsM, 
His rage was fuch as cannot be exprefsM : 
Not frantic mothers when their infants die, 
With louder clamours rend the vauked iky : 755 

He cry'd, he roar'd, he ftonn'd, he tore his hair j 
Death ! hell I and furies ! what doft thou do there ? 

What ails my Lord ? the trembling dame reply'd j 
I thought your patience had been better try'd : 
Is this your love, ungrateful and unkind, . 760 

This my reward for having cur'd the blind ? 
Why was I taught to make my huiband fee, 
'^ ^niggling with a Man upon a Tree ? 

Did 



JANUARY AND MAY. 253 

Did I for this the power of magic prove ? 

Unhappy wife, whofe crime was too much love ! 765 

If this be flruggling, by this holy light, 
'Tis ftruggling with a vengeance (quoth the Knight) 
So Heaven, preferve the fight it has reftor'd. 
As with thefe eyes I plainly faw thee whor'd j 
Whor'd by my flave— perfidious wretch ! may hell 770 
As furely feize thee, as I faw too well. 

Guard mc, good Angels ! cry'd the gentle May, 
Tray Heaven, this magic work the proper way I 
Alas, my love ! 'tis certain, could you fee. 
You ne'er had iis'd thefe killing words to mc : 775 
So help me. Fates, as 'tis no perfect fight. 
But fome faint glimmering of a doubtful light. 
* What I have faid (quoth he) I muft maintain,. 
For by th' immortal powers itfeenid too plain — 

By all thofc powers, fome frenzy feiz'd your mind 
(Reply'd the dame) : are thefe the thanks I find ? 
Wretch that I am, that e'er I was fo kind I 
She faid $ a rifing figh exprefs'd her woe. 
The ready tears apace began to flow. 
And, as they fell, ihe wip'd from either eye 785 

The drops (for women, when they lift, can C17). 

The Knight was touch'd, and in his looks appear'd 
Signs of remorfe, while thus his fpoufe he cheai'd : 
Madam, *tis paft, and my (hort anger o'er; 
Come down, and vex your tender heart n6 more : 796 
Excufe me, dear, if aught amifs was faid. 
For, on my foul,. amends ihall foon be made s 

Let 



\ 



light, I 
before! 



>t5+ , P O P E^S P O E M 8* 

Let my repentance your forgivenefs draw. 
By Heaven, I fwore but what I thought I (aw. 

Ah, my lov'd lord ! 'twas much unkind ((he cry'd) 
On bare fufpicion thus to treat your bride. 
But, till your fight's eftablifti'd, for a while. 
Imperfect objefts may your fenfe beguile. 
Thus when from fleep we firft our eyes difplay. 
The balls are wounded with the piercing ray, 800 
And dufky vapours rife, and intercept the day. 
So, juft recovering from the ihades of night. 
Your fwimming eyes are drunk with ftidden light, 
Strange phantoms dance around, and ikim 

your fight : 

Then, Sir, be cautious, nor too raihly deem 5 805 

Heaven knows how feldom things ai-e what they feem I 
Confult your reafon, and you foon Ihall find 
'Twas yot wei-e jealous, not your wife unkind : 
Jove ne'er fpoke oracle more true than this. 
None judge (o wrong as thofe who think amifs. 810 

With that fhe Icap'd into her Lord's embrace. 
With well-diffembled virtue in her face. 
He hugg'd her clofe, and kifs'd her o'er and o'er, 
Diftuib'd with doubts and jealoufies no more : 
Both, pleas'd and blefs'd, renew'd their mutual vows, 
A fruitful wife, and a believing fpoufe. 

Thus ends our tale 5 whofe moral next to make. 
Let ail wife hulbands hence example take \ 
And pray, to crown the pleafure of their lives. 
To be fo well deluded by their wives. Sao 

THE 



[ »5S 3 - 

THE 

WIFE OF BATH 
HER PROLOGUE, 

FROM 

CHAUCER. 

T) E H O L D the woes of matrimonial life, 

-^ And hear with reverence an expeiiencM wife ! 

To dear-bought wifdom give the credit due. 

And think, for once, a woman tells you true. 

In all thefe trials I have borne a part, J^ 

I was myfelf the fcourge that caus'd the fmart i 

For, iince fifteen, in triumph have I led 

Five captive Hufbands from the Church to bed, 

Chrift faw a wedding once, the Scripture fays. 
And faw but one, 'tis thought, in all his days $ z6 

Whence fome infer, whofe confciencc is too nice. 
No pious Chriilian ought to marry twice. 

But let them read, and folve me, if ihey can. 
The words addrefs'd to the Samaritan : 
Five times in.lawful wedlock fiie was join'd; 15 

And fure die certain ftint was ne'er defined. 

*^ Encreafe and multiply," was Heaven's command^ 
And that *s a text I clearly underftand. 
This too, " Let men their fires and mothers leaye, 
♦* And tp ;heir dearer vtrire^ fpJr «v^r dcayc." la 



456 P O P E • S P O E M S. 

More wives than one by Solonion were try'd. 

Or elfe the wifeft of mankind 's bely'd. 

I've had myfelf fiill many a merry fit ; 

And tnift in heaven, I may have many yet, 

JPor when my tranfitory fpoufe, unkind, j 

Shall die, and leave his woeful wife behind, 

I'll take the next good Chriftian I can find. 

Paul, knowing one could never ferve our turn. 
Declared 'twas better far to wed than burn. 
There's danger in affembling fire and towj 
I grant them that, and what it means you know. 
The fame apoftle too has elfewhei-e own'd. 
No precept for Virginity he found : 
*Tis but a couniel— and we women (till 
Take which we like, the counfel, or our will. 

I envy not their blifs, if he or (he 
Think fit to live in perfcft chaftity ; 
Pure let them be, and free from taint of vice j 
I, for a few flight fpots, am not fo nice ; 
Heaven calls us different ways, on thefe beflows 
One proper gift, another grants to thofe ; 
Not every man 's oblig'd to fell his flore, 
And give up all his fubftance to the poor i 
Such as are perfect may, I can't deny ; 
But, by your leaves. Divines, fo am not I. 

Full many a Saint, fince fiiil the world began, 
Liv'd an unfpotted Maid, in fpite of man : 
Let fuch (a-God's name) with fine wheat be fed. 
And let us hohefl wives eat barley bread. 
For me, 1*11 keep the poll affign'd by heaven. 
And ufe the copious talent it has given : 



THE WIFE OF BATH. 257 

Let my good fpoufe pay tribute, do me right. 

And keep an equal reckoning every night. 

His proper body is not his, but mine ; 

For fo faid Paul, and Paul 's a found divine. 55 

Know then, of thofe five hufbands I have had. 
Three were juft tolerable, two were bad. 
The three \fere old, but rich and fond befide. 
And toird moft piteoufly to pleafe their bride : 
But fince their wealth (the beft they had) was mine, 60 
The reft, without much lofs, *I could refign. 
Sure to be lov'd, I took no pains to pleafe, 
Yet had more Pleafure far than they had Eafe. 

Prefents flow'd in apace : with fhowers of gold. 
They made their court, like Jupiter of old. 65 

If 1 but fmird, a fudden youth they found. 
And a new p?lfy feizM them when I frown'd. 

Ye fovereign wives ! give ear and underftand. 
Thus ihall ye fpeak, and exercife command. 
For never was it given to mortal man, 79 

To lie fo boldly as we women can : 
Forfwear the faft, though feen with both his eyes. 
And call your maids to witnefs how he lies. 

Hark, old Sir Paul ! ('twas thus I us'd to fay) 
Whence is our neighbour's wife fo rich and gay ? 75 
Treated, ca^efs'd, where'er (he's pleas'd to roam — 
I fit in tatters, and immur*d at home. 
Why to her houfe doft thou fo oft repair ? 
Art thou fo amorous ? and is ihe fo fair ? 
If I but fee a coufm or a friend, 80 

Lord ! how you fwell, and rage like any fiend ! 

Vol. I. S But 



25« P aP E*S P O E M S. 

But you reel home, a drunken beaftly bear. 

Then preach till midnight in your eafy chair j 

Cry, wives are falfe, and eveiy woman evil. 

And give up all that 's female to the devil. Sj 

If poor (you fay) (he drains her hufband^s purfe ; 
If rich, (he keeps her priefl:, or fomething worfe; 
If highly born, intolerably vain, 
Vapours and pride by turns polTefs her brain. 
Now gayly mad, now fourly fplenetic ; ^q 

Freakiih when well, and fretful when (he 's fick. 
If fair, then chafte (he cannot long abide. 
By pixfling youth attacked on every (ide : 
If foul, her wealth the lu(ty lover lures. 
Or elfe her wit fome fool-gallant procures, 55 

Or elfe (he dances with becoming grace. 
Or fliape excufes the defefts of face. 
There fwims no goofe fo grey, but, foon or late. 
She (inds fome hone(l gander for her mate. 

Horfes (thou fay'ft) and a(res men may try, joo 

And ring fufpefted veflfels ere they buy : 
But wives, a i-andom choice, untry'd they take. 
They dream in court(hip, but in wedlock wake : 
Then, nor till then, the veil 's removed away. 
And all the woman glares in open day. 105 

You tell me, to preferve your wife's good grace. 
Your eyes muft always langui(h on my face. 
Your tongue with conftant (latteries feed my ear. 
And tag each fentence with. My life ! my dear ! 
If, by ftrange chance, a modeft blu(h be rais'd, no 

Be furc my (ine complexion muft be prais'd* 

My 



THE WIJP'E Ol^ BATH* 259 

My garments always muft be new and gay. 

And feafts ftill kept upon my wedding-day. 

Then muft my nurfe be pleas'd, and favourite maid 5 

And endlefs treats, and endlefs vifits paid, 115 

To a long train of kindred, friends, allies j 

All this thou fay'ft, and all thou fay*ft are lies. 

On Jenkin too you caft a fquinting eye : 
What ! can your 'prentice raife your jealoufy ? 
Fre(h are his ruddy cheeks, his forehead fair, lao 

And like the bumifh'd gold his curling hair. 
But clear thy wrinkled brow, and quit thy forrow, 
I'd fcom your 'prentice, ihould you die to-morrow. 

Why are thy cheftsiill lock'd ? on what defign ? 
Are not thy worldly goods and treafure mine ? 125 

Sir, I'm no fool : nor fliall you, by St. John, 
Have goods and body to yourfelf alone. 
One you ihall quit, in fpite of both your eyes— 
I heed not, I, the bolts, the locks, the fpies. 
If you had wit, yoU'd fay, ** Go where you will, 1.30 
" Dear fpoufe, I credit not the tales they tell : 
<« Take all the freedoms of a mairied life j 
** I know thee for a virtuous, faithful wife.'* 

Lord ! when you have enough, what need you care 
How merrily foever others fare ? 135 

Though all the day I give and take delight. 
Doubt not, fulHcient will be left at night. 
'Tis but a juft and rational defire. 
To light a taper at a neighbour's fire. 

There 's danger too, you think, in rich array, 140 
And none can long be modeft that are gay. 

S 2 TVwit 



/ '»«« three nVJif , . ' ^ ^ouo-ht f^ 



Wilft 



THE WIFE OF BATH. 261 

With ertipty hands no taffels you can lure. 
But fulforae love for gain we can endure j 
For gold we love the impotent and old, 
And heave, and pant, and kifs, and cling, for gold. 
Yet with embraces, curfes oft I mix'd. 
Then kifsM again, and chid, and rail'd betwixt. 
Well, I may make my will in peace, and die,- 
For not one word in matins ait^ars am I. 
To drop a dear difpute I was unable, 1 80 

Ev'n though the Pope himfelf had fat at table. 
But when my point was gaia*d, then thus I fpoke, 
** Billy, my dear, how Iheepifhly you look 1 
«* Approach, my fpoufe, and let me kifs thy check ; 
<* Thou Ihould'ft be always thus, refign'd and meek ! 
** Of Job's great patience Cnce fo oft you preach, 
" Well fliould you praflife, who fo well can teach. 
*« 'Tis difficult to do, I muft allow, 
*' But I, my deareft, will inihai£^ you how. 
*' Great is the bleffing of a prudent wife, 190 

" Who puts a period to domeftic ftrife. 
** One of us two muft rule, ^nd one obey 5 
** And fince in man right reafon bears the fway, 
** Let that frail thing, weak woman, have her way. 
** The wives of all my family have rul'd 195 

** Their tender hufbands, and their paffions cool'd. 
** Fy, *tis unmanly thus to figh and groan; 
** What ! would you have me to yourfelf alone ? 
** Why take me. Love ! take all and every part ! 
« Here 's your revenge ! you love it at your heart. 200 
S3 <« Would 



I 



%6z P O P E'S P O E M S. 

«« Would I vouchfafe to fell what nature gave, 

<« You little think what cuftom I could have. 

<« But fee ! I'm all your own — nay hold — for (hame j 

** What means my dear—indeed — you are to blame." 

Thus with my firft three Lords I paft my life j 205 
A very woman> and a very wife. 
What fums from thefe old i^^oufes I could raiie> 
Procured young hufbands in my riper days. 
Though paft my bloom, not yet decay'd was I, 
Wanton and wild, and chatterM like a pie, aio 

In country dances ftill I bore the bell. 
And fung as fweet as evening Philomel. 
To clear my quailpipe, and refrefh my foul. 
Full oft I drained the fpicy nut-brown bowl j 
Rich lufcious wines, that youthful blood improve, 115 
And warm the fwelling veins to feats of love : 
For 'tis as fure, as cold engenders hail, 
A liquorilh mouth muft have a lecherous tail ; 
Wine lets no lover unrewarded go, 
As all true gamefters by experience know. %%% 

But oh, good Gods ! whene'er a thought I caft 
On all the joys of youth sbd beauty paft. 
To find in pleafures I have had my part. 
Still warnis me to the bottom of my heart. 
This wicked world was once my dear delight } 215 

Now all my conquefts, all my charms, good night I 
The flour confum'd, the beft that now I can, 
1^8 e'en to make my maiket of the bran. 

My fourth dear fpoufe was not exceeding true j 
He kept, 'twas thought, a private Mifs or twoj ^30 



THE WIFE OF BATH. x^j 

But all that fcore I paid— as how ? you'll fay. 

Not with my body, in a filthy way : 

But I fo drefs'd, and dancM, and drank, and din'd; 

And view'd a friend with eyes fo very kind. 

As ftung his heait, and made his marrow fry, 235 

With burning rag-e, and frantic jealoufy. 

His foul, I hope, enjbys eternal glory. 

For here on e.arth I was his Purgatory. 

Oft, when his fhoe the moil feverely wnmg. 

He put on carelefs airs, and fate and fung. sj^o 

How fore I gaird him, <only heaven could know, 

And he that felt, and I that causM the woe. 

He dyM, when laft from pilgrimage I came. 

With other goffips, from Jeittfalem j 

A^d now ^es buried underneath a Rood, 245 

Fair to be feen, a;id rear'd of honeft wood. 

A tomb indeed, with fewer fculptures grac'd. 

Than that Maufolus' pious widow plac'd. 

Or where infhrin'd the great D^ius lay j 

But coft on gi*ave8 is merely thrown away. 250 

The pit fiird up, with turf we cover'd o'er ; 

So bleft the good man's foul, I fay no more. 

Now for my fifth lov'd Lor4, the laft and beit ^ 
(Kind heaven afford h^m ev^lafting reft !^ 
Full hearty was his love, and I can ihew ^55 . 

The tokens ^n my ribs in black and blue 5 
Yet, with a knack, my heait he could have won^ / 
While yet the fmart was fliooting in the bone. 
How quaint an appetite in women reigns ! 
Free gifts we fcorn, and love what colls us pains : 260 
S 4. Let 



a&4 r f> r r • s p o E M s. 

Xjsi man ivau) tin, aiu! or. thein we leap : 
..A ^IiiTitJ n»uilr( mnkr> pTYtvifion cheap. 

)h purr piuul iKfiU 1 tixik thi« jovial fpaxk, 
I VI iliHtua hx., a mnrt r«^f^iou« clerk. 
>i: ttiuuitod with ft widow tn the town, 
.A irun% j^Ull}), our jMiir Aiifon. 
I ill. wa 11 itu ir4:rrH tti nu Toiil flie knew, 
Jjimim xh4i« I 's\ %^\ parifli^prieft rould do. 
J •< tmi J u^i\ wluitrvrv routd befall : 
ttaJ t«ui n\x hufhuiitl piit^M nj^uinft a wall, 
tu a.iut h Uuitt^ th»i mtp:^)! have coft his life, 
htit^— «i»J m> niprf— ^ul one man worth 7 ^wlfe, 
HaJ tno«^ iT all i what moft he woiild canceal, 
T^ ihtsit 1 ma*»r «•> iVuitplr to reveal. 
Oft h«» ht h:uih''d froin cm to ear for fliune, 
1 hki c t] hr K\ld a ircstn to hi« dame, 

li j\« ^irtr-U in hrtlT TUBW of Lent, 
Thai fctft a ia\ 1 to thi* i^&^ip went 
(My h\iJhkn.l, thank my i^ars was out of town) j 
i'Kim hiiuir TO houj> *«¥ ^:^n^ki^cl tip and down, 
Thij cltat, myirlf, and iny crood neighbour Alfe, 
Tu tot, bt ieen. tc» tell, and father tales. 
Vims to every Church we daily paid. 
And march d in evtsr holy ^lalquerade. 
The Stations dnly and the Vigils kept) 
Not much we failed^ but icaire ever ilept. 
At Scnnons too I ihone in fcarlet gay ; 
The wafting moth ne'er ipoil'd my beft array ; 
The cauie was this, I wore it every day. 



THE WIFE OF BATH. 265 

'Twas when frefli May her early bloffom yields, 290 
This Cleric and I were walking in the fields. 
We grew fo intimate, I can't tell how, 
I pawn'd my honour and engagM my vow. 
If e'er I laid my husband in his urn. 
That he, and only he, fliould fcrve my turn. 29^ 

We ftraight ftruck hands, the bargain was agreed 5 
I ftill have fhifts againft a time of need : 
The moufc that always trufts to one poor hole, 
Can never be a moufe of any foul. 

I vow*d, I fc^ce could fleep fmce firft I knew him. 
And durft be fwom he had bewitched me to him ; 
If e'er I flept, I dream'd of him alone. 
And dreams foretell, as learned men have fhown. 
All this I faid ; but dreams, firs, I had none : 
I follow'd but my crafty Crony's lore, 305 

Who bid me tell this lie— and twenty.more. 

Thus day by day, and month by month we paft ; 
It pleas'd the Lord to take my fpoufe at laft. 
I tore my gown, I foil'd my locks with duft. 
And beat my breafts, as wretched widows — muft. 3i» 
Before my face my handkerchief I fpread. 
To hide the flood of tears I did—not fhed. 
The good man*s coffin to the Church was borne j 
Aroundy the neighbours, and my Clerk too, mourn. 
But as he marchM, good Gods ! he fhowM a pair 315 
Of legs and feet, fo clean, fo (bong, fo fair 1 
Of twenty winters age he feem'd to be 5 
I (to fay truth) was twenty niore than he j 

But 



I 



^66 POPE'S IP. Ol^ M ^-r 

But vigorous ftilly a lively buxon^^daune $ 

And had a wondrous gift to quench a flaxne* « 

A Conjurer once, that deeply could div;^^^ 

AiTurM me^ Mars in Taurus was my $^. 

As the liars orderM, fuch my life ha» htcqv i 

Alasy alasy that ever love was fin ! 

Fair Venus gave me fire and ^nightly gnce^ u 

And Mars aflurance and a dauntleis face* 

By virtue of this powerful coaftelladon, 

I followed always my own inclination. 

. But to my tale : A month (carce pola'd awa^t 
With dance and long we kept thfi 9«pfi^ day, jj 
All I pofiefs'd I give to his compand* 
My goods and chattelsj money, houic, ajidlandi 
But ofirepefited^ and repent it fbllf 
He prov'd a rebel to toy fovereign will : 
Nay once, by Heaven, he fbnck me on the face { fi 
Hear but the fad, and judge yourfelves the caie. 

Stubborn as any lionefs was I $ 
And knew full well to nuie my voice on hi^ ; 
As true a rambler as I was before. 
And would be fo, in fpite <^ all he fwore. ^ 

He againft this right fagely would adviibj 
And old examples fet before my eyes. 
Tell how the Roman matrons led their Itfe, 
•Of Gracchus^ mother, and Duilius* ynfe ; 
And clofe. the fermon, as befeemM his wit, ^ 

With fome grave Sentence out of Holy Writ, 
^yft would he iayt Who builds his houfe on iandtt 

^cks his blind horfe acrofs the fallow lands* 

C 



THE WIFE OF BATH. 1^67 

Or lets his wife abroad with pilgrims roam> 

Deferves a foors-cap and long ears at home. 350 

All this avaird not \ for whoe'er he be 

That tells my faults, I hate him mortally : 

And fo do numbers more, I boldly fay. 

Men, women, clergy, regular, and lay. 

My fpoufe (who was, you know, to learning bred) 
A certain Treatife oft at evening read. 
Where divers Authors (whom the devil confound 
For all their lies) were in one volume bound. 
Valerius, whole; and of St. Jerome, partj 
Chryfippus and Tertullian, Ovid's Art, 360 

Solomon's Proverbs, EloTfa's Loves 5 
And many more than fure the Church approves. 
More legends were there here of wicked wives. 
Than good, in all the Bible and Saints lives. 
Who di-ew the Lion vanquiih'd ? 'Twas a Man. 365 
But could we women write as fcholars can. 
Men ihould ftand mark'd with far more wickednefs» 
Than all the fons of Adam could redrefs. 
Love feldom haunts the breaft where Learning lies. 
And Venus fets ere Merciury can rife. 370 

Thofe play the fcholars, who can't play the men. 
And ufe that weapon which they have, their pen \ 
When old, and paft the relifli of delight. 
Then down they dt, and in their dotage write. 
That hot one woman keeps her marriage vow. 375 

(This by the way, but to my purpofe now.) 

It chanc'd my hufband, on a winter's night, 
Jlead in this book, aloud, with ftrange delight. 



268 P O P E'S.P O E M S. 

How the firft female (as the Scriptures fhow) 
Brought her own fpoufe and all his race to woe. 383 
IIow Samfon fell j and he whom Dejanire 
Wrap'd in th' envenomed fliirt, and fet on fire. 
How curs'd Eryphile her lord betray'd, 
And the dire ambufli Clytemneftra laid. 
But what moft pleasM him was the Cretan Dame, 3S5 
And Hu(band-bull— -oh monftrous, fie for (hame ! 

He had by heart the whole detail of woe 
Xantippe made her good man undergo ; 
How oft (he fcolded in a day, he knew. 
How many pifs-pots on the Sage flic tlirew ; x 350 

Who took it patiently, and wipM his head 5 
" Rain follows thunder,*' that was all he faid. 

He read, how Arius to his friend complain'd, 
A fatal Tree was growing in his land. 
On which three wives fucceflively had twin'd 395 

A Aiding noofe, and waver'd in the wind. 
Where grows this plant (reply'd the friend), oh where ? 
For better fi-uit did never orchard bear. 
Give me fome flip of this moft blifsful tree. 
And in my garden planted fliall it be. 400 

Then how two wives their lords"* deftruflion pro\-e. 
Through hatred one, and one through too much 

love; 
That for her hufband mix'd a poifonous draught. 
And this- for luft an amorous philtre bought : 
"^^f nimble juice, foon feiz'd his giddy head, 405 

at night, and in the morning dead. 

How 



THE WIFE OF BATH. 269 

How fome with fwords their fleeping lords have (lain. 
And fome have hammer'd nails into their brain, 
And fome have drenched them with a deadly potion j 
All this he read, and read with great devotion. 410 

Long time I heard, and fwell'd, and blufti'd, and 
frown*d j 
But when no end of thefe vile tales I found, 
When ftill he read, and laugh'd, and read again. 
And half the night was thus confum'd in vain ; 
ProvokM to vengeance, three large leaves I tore, 415 
And with one buffet felPd him on the floor. 
With that my huiband in a fiiry rofe, 
And down he fettled me with hearty blows. 
I groanM, and lay extended on my fide ; 
Oh ! thou haft (lain me for my wealth (I cry'd), 420 
Yet I forgive thee— take my laft embrace- 
He wept, kind foul ! and ftoop'd to kifs my face, 
I took him fuch a box as tuiii'd him blue. 
Then (igh'd and cryM, Adieu, my dear, adieu ! ' 

But after many a hearty ftruggle paft, 425 

I condefcended to be pleas'd at laft. 
Soon as he faid. My miftrefs and my wife, 
Do what you lift, the term of all your life : 
I took to heart the merits of the caufe. 
And ftood content to rule by wholefome laws ; 430 
Received the reins of abfolute command. 
With sul the government of houfe and land. 
And empire o'er his tongue, and o'er his hand. 
As for the volume that revil'd the dames, 
•Twas torn to fragments, and condemned to flame». 435 

Now 



\ 



■^ 



17» POPE'S POEMS 

Now heaven on all my hufbands gone \ 
Pleafures above, for tortures felt below : 
That reft they wifh'd for, gi-ant them in th 
And blefs thofe fouls my condu6l helped to 



THE 

FIRST BOOK 

OF 

S T A T I U S 

H I S 

T H E B A I S. 

Tranflated in the Year ii dcc hi. 



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C i73 1 
THE 

FIRST BOOIC 

O F 

s r A T I u s 

His 

T H E B A I S. 

t: Ratbrnal rage, the gui^lty Thebet) alarms, 
^ The alternate reign deftroy'd by impious arms, 
Pemand our fong $ a facred fury fires 
My ravifh'd breaft, and all the Mufe infpires. 
O GoddefS) fity, fhall I deduce my rhymes 5 

From the dire nation in its early times, 
£uropa*8 rape» Agenor^s ftem decree. 
And Cadmus fearching round the fpacious fea ? 
How with the ferpent's teeth he fow'd the ibil. 
And reapM an iron hanreft of his toil K to-' 

Or 

FRatbrnas acies, altemaque regna profanit 
Decertata odiis, fontefque evolvere Thebas> 
Pierius menti calor incidit. Unde jubetis 
Ire, Deae ? gentifne canam primordia dirae ? 
Sidonios raptns, et inexorabile pa^hun 
Legis Agenoreae f fcrutantemque aequora Cadsnum T 
Longo retro ^ies» trepidum fi Marti» operti 
AgricQlamiafandif condcntei^ praeUa fulcii -i^ 

Vol. I. T 



i-4 POP B^S POEMS. 

Oi lu-^w from joining ftones the city ipning, 

\Vhi!c to his haip divine Amphion fung ? 

Or fh.iU I Juno^s hate to Thebes refound, 

XN'liolc fatal rage th' unhappy Monarch found ? 

The lire againft the fon his airows drew, j^ 

0>r the wide fields the furious mother flew^ 

And while her arms a fecond hope contain, 

ii]>amg from the rocks, and plung'd into the main. 

But waive whatever to Cadmus may belong. 
And fix, QMufe ! the bander of thy fong i« 

At Oedipus— from his difafters trace 
'I'hc long confiifions of his guilty race : 
Nor yet attempt to fbttch thy bolder wing. 
And mighty Cxfar's conquensg eagles fing j 
How twice he tam^d proud Ifter's rapid flood, 15 

While Dacian mountains ftream*d with barbarous Uood} 
Twice taught the Rhine beneath his law& to roll. 
And ibxtch'd his empire to the frosen Pole i 

Of 

Expediam, penitufque fequar quo carmine aanris 

Juflerit Amphion Tyrios accedere montes : 

UVide graves irae cognata in moenia Baccho, 

Quod faevae Junonis opus i cui fumpferit ^cun 

Infelix Athamas, cur non expaverit ingen^ 

Ionium, focio cafura Palaemone matrr, 

Atque adeo jam nunc gemitus, et profpera Csidni 

PraeteriifTe finam ; limes mihi carminis eflo §• 

Oedipodac confufa domus ; quando Itala noadiim 

Signa, nee ArAoos aufim fperare triumphoa, 

Bifque jugo Rhcaum, b^ adadbua legibus ttnun^ 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS, 175 

Or long before, with early valour^ ftrove 

In youthRil arms t' afleft the catiie of Jove. 39 

And Thou, great Heir of all thy father's fame, 

Increafe of glory to the Latian name ! 

O blefs thy Rome with an eternal reign, 

Nor let deflring worlds entreat in vain. 

What though the ftars contra6l their heavenly fpace, 35 

And croud their fhining ranks to yield thee place ^ 

Though all the fkies, ambitious of thy fWay, 

Confpire to court thee from our world away $ 

Though Phoebus longs to mix his rays with thine. 

And in thy glpries tnore ferenely fhine $ 40 

Though Jove himfelf no lefs content wotdd be 

To part his throne, and fhare his heaven with thcej 

Yet ftay, great Csefar ! and vouchfafe to reiga 

P>r the wide earth) and o'er the watery main 1 

Refign 

r - ■ ■ • .f -t. ■• r «■ f 

it conjurato dejeftos vertice Dacod : 

Aut defenfa prius vix pu1>efcentibus annis 

Bella Jovis. Ttque o Laiia^d decuB addite fax&ae. 

Quern nova maturi fubetmtdn exorfa paiientis 

Aetsrmiln fibi Roma cnpit : licet ar6tior onmet 

Limes agat ftellas, et te plagSi Itcida coeli 

PleVadiim, Borcaeqiie, et hiuici AJtaiAis expert ^5 

SoUicitet ; licet ignipedum fraftttiltor eqttotftifii 

i^t tuis alte radiantem crinibus arcum 

Imprimat, aut m^ni cedat tibi Jupiter acqu^ 

Parte poli $ msneasr hominum contemus liiiVenli, 



^^S P O HE'S P O E M S. 

Refign to Jove his empire of the fkies» 45 

And people heaven with Roman deities. 

T he time will come, when a diviner flame 
Shall warm my breaft to fmg of CxikrH fame t 
Meanwhile permit, that my preluding Mufe 
In I'hcban wars an humbler theme may chuie : 50 

Of forioutf hate furviving death, (he (ings, 
A fatal throne to two contending Kings, 
And funeral flames, that parting wide in air 
Exprefs the difcord of the fouls they bear : 
Of towns difpeophd, and the wandering ghofts 55 

Of Kings unbury'd in the wafted coafts 5 
When Dh-ce's fountain blufli'd with Grecian blood. 
And Thetis, near Ifntenos' fwelling flood. 
With dread beheld the rolling furges fweep. 
In heaps, his (laughterM fons into the deep, ^a 

What Hero, Clio ! wilt thou firft relate ? 
The rage of Tydeus, or the Prophet's fate ? 

Or 

Undarum ttrraeque potens, et fidera dones. a 5 

Tempos erit, cum Pierio tua fortior oeftro 
Fafta canam : nunc tendo chclyn. iatis arma reftm 
Aonia, ct geminis fceptnun exitiale tyrannis. 
Nee furiis poft fata modum, flammafque rebelles 
Seditione rogi, tumulifque carentia i-egum 
Funera, et egeftas altemis mortibus urbes j #5 

Caerula cum rubuit Lemaeo fanguine Dirce, 
Thetis arentes affuetum ftringere ripas, 
ait ingenti venieniem IfioEAnon ^cervo. 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. i^-p 

Or how, with hilk of ilain on every fide, 

H^ppomedon repellM the hoftile tide ? : 

Or how the youth, with every grace adorn'd^ ^5 

Untimely fell, to be for ever moucnVi ? 

Then to fierce Capaneus thy verfe extend. 

And iing with honror his prodigious end. 

J<Iow wretched Oedipus, deprived of fight. 
Led a long death in everlafling night $ ^9 

But, while he dwells where not a chearfiil ray 
Can pierce the darknefs, and abhors the dayi 
The clear refle6ling mind prefents his ^ 
Jfi frightful views, and makes it day within | 
Returning ^ipughts in endlefs circles coll, 75 

^nd thoufs^nd i^es haunt )iis ^ilty j(pul. 
The wretcli then lifted .to th' ^npityiqg fkies 
Thofe empty orbs from wh^XKe he tore his eyes, 

Whofe 

Quern prius heroum Clio dabis ? immodicuw iratf,* 
Tydea ? laungeri fubitps jan yatis hiatus ? 
Urget et hoftilem propelkns caedibus amnem 
Turbidus Hippomedon, plorandaque bella protenri €4. 
Arcados, «tque alio Capaneus horrore canendus. 

Jmpia jai^ merita fcrutatus lumina dextra 
Merferat aetema damnatum nofle pudorem 
Oedipodes, Ipngaque animam Xub morte tenebat. 70 
lUimi indulgentem tenebris, imaeque recefiii 
Sedis, inafpe^os coelo, radiifque penates 
Servantem, tameh af&duis circumvolat alis 
Saeva dies animi, fcelerumque in pe6lore Dirae. 75 
Tunc vacvoft orbeS( crudum ac miferabile vitar 



i'> ff».;.y ZL I!"" ^'-""-r^" *» 



Bookl. THfiSAIB OF S^TATIUS. ty^ 

i If wretched I, by baleful Furies led, - *• 95 

f *W?th monftixms mixture' ftam*d my mother's bed, 
J For hell and thee begot an impious brood. 
And with full luft thoie hoirid joys renewM ; 
Then felf-conderan'd, to (hades of endlefs night, 
f Forc'd froiti thcfe orbs the bleeding l)all8 of fight 5 loO 
O hear, and aid the vengeance I require. 
If worthy thee, and what thou might'ft infpirel 
My fons their old unhaj^y fire defpife, 
Spoird of his kingdom, and deprived of eyes | 
Guidelefs I wander, unregarded mourn, 205 

While thefe exalt their (ceptres o'er my vm 4 
Thefe fons, ye Gods ! who, with flagitious pride, 
Infult my darknefs, and my ^groans deride. 

Art 



Callidus ambages, te praemonftrante, refolvi i 
Si dulces fuiias, et lamentabile matris 95 

Connubium gavifus ii^ ; no£iemque nefandam 
Saepe tuli, natoique tibi (fcis ipfa) paravi^ 
Mox avidus poeHae digitis cedentibus ultro 
Incubui, miferaque oculos in matre reliqui : io« 

Exaudi, fi dlgna pfecor, quaeque ipfa jurend 
Subjiceres ; oibum vifu regnifque parentem 
Non iiegere, aut di6tis moerexitem fieSttvt adord 
QmM genui, quocunque jtoro« quin ecce fupeitl 
(Proh dolor) et noftro jamdodum ^nere xeges^ 
Infultant tenebris, gemitufque odere patemos. 
Hifne etiam funeftus ego ? et videt ifta doonxm 

T4 



Art thou a Fathers unr^ardiog Jovb & 
And deeps ^y thunder in the rMiui diovtt f rii 

Thou Fury, thens fome lafting cvrfe ontatl^ 
Which o'er tfaieir duldrens chUdmn ftall prtmttt • 
Place on their hade that cnywn ditainM widi gan^ 
Which t])(^e ^ hands from my flain fttlier ton% 
Go, and a parent's heary curfitt bears 1157 

Break all the bonds of nature^, and pnpam ' > 

Their kindred fouls to inutual hate md mr, ^ 

Give them to daie, ivhat I might wHh to fee ' 
Plkd as I am, Xome glorkms Tillany I • 
Soon flialt thou find, if thou but ann their haadt , sis 
Their ready guilt pnventing thy tomnumds i 
Couldft thou ibine great, praportioaM nufehief fiaiB ^ 
They'd prove the father from whofe Idns they came* 

The Fury heard, while on Cocytus' brink 
Her fnakes untyM, fulphureous waters dnnk | la^ 

B^ 

Ignavus genitor ? tu (altem 4ebita vindex hq 

Hue ades, et totos in poenam ordire nepotes* 
Indue quod ipadidum tabo diadema emends 
Ungulbus arripui, votifque inftin6(a paternis 
I media in fratres, generis confortia ferro ijt 

DifRliant : da Tartarei regina baradiri 
Quod cuptam vidiffe nefas, nee tarda fbquetur 
Mens juvenum ; modo digna veni, mea pignora xioibett 
Talia jaftant! crudelis Diva feveros 
^rtit vultus } inamoenum forte fedebat 
»n juxta^ refolutaque vcrtice crines^ 



jaookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. sSx 

But at the fummons, roird her eyes around. 
And fnatch'd the ftarting ferpents from the ground* 
Not half fo fwiftly (hoots along in air. 
The gliding lightning, or defcending ftar. 
Through crouds of airy fhades fhe wing'd her flighty 
And dark dominions of the filent night; 
Svflft as fhe pafsM, the flitting ghofts withdrew, 
Aijd the pale fpeftres trembled at her views 
To th' iron gates of Taenarus £be flies. 
There fpreads her duiky pinions to the ikies. X3| 

The day beheld, and, fickening at the fight, 
Veird her fair glories in the fhades of night* 
Affrighted Atlas, on the diflant fhore. 
Trembled, cind fhook the heavens and gods he bore. 
Now from beneath Malea's airy height i4# 

Aloft fhe fpning, and fleer'd to Thebes her flight j 
, With eager fpeed the well-known journey took, 
j^Jor here regrets the hell fhe late forfook. 

A hundred 

Lambere fuifureas permiferat anguibus xmdas* 

liic^t igne Jovis, lapflfque citatior afbris 

Triflibus exiliit ripis, difcedit inane X3« 

Vulgusi, et occurfus dominae pavet j ilia per umbras 

£t caliganteiB, animarum examine campos, 

Taenariae limen petit irremeabile portae. 

S^nBt adefle dies $ piceo nox obvia nimbo 155 

In^^entes turbavit equos. procul arduus Atlas 

Hor^uit, et dubia coelum cervice remifit. 

Arrk>it extempio Maleae de valle refurgens 14» 

J^otum iter ad Tbebas I neque enim veiocior ullM 



tU P O P E'S P OE M S. 

A h unci red fnake^ her gloomy vifage fhade, 
A Inincli-cd fcrpents guard her horrid head, 145 

In her funk eyebalU dreadful meteors gkvw 5 
Such rays from Phoebe's bloody circles flowr. 
When, labouring with ftrong charms, fhe (hoots fitxn hi^ 
A fiery gleam, and reddens all the iky. 
Blood ftainM her cheeks, and firom her mouth there 
came ip 

Blue (learning poifons, and a length of flame. 
From every blaft of her contagious breath. 
Famine and drought proceed, and plagues, and death. 
A robe obfcenc was o'er her flioulders thrown^ 
A drcfs by Fates and Furies worn alone. %^^ 

She tofs'd her meagre arms ; her better hand 
In waving circles whirl'd a funeral brand : 

A ferpent 

Itquc rcditque vias, cognataque Tartara mavult. 
Centum illi ftantes umbrabant ora cerafhie, 145 

Turba minor diri capitis : fedet intus aba^lis 
Fcrrea lux oculis ; qualis per nubila Fhoebes 
Atracea rubet arte labor : fuffofa vcneno i^ 

Teiiditur, ac fanie glifcit cutis : igncus atro 
Ore vapor, quo longa fitis, morbique famefquej 
£t populis mors una venit. nget horrida tei^ 
Palla, et caerulei redeunt in pe^ore nodi. 
Atrt)pos hos, atque ipfa novat Proferpina eultus. 155 
Tum gemitoas quatit ilia manus : haec igne rogali 
Fulgurat, haec vivo manus aera iwrberkt hydro. 
Ut ftctit, abrupta qua plurimus arcc Cithaeiixm 
Occumt coelo, fcra iibUa crinc Viretfti 



] 



. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. »«l 

ent from her left was feen to rear 
ming creft, and lafli the yielding air. 
when the Fury took her ftand on high, 169^ 

: vaft Cithaeron*8 top falutes the flcy, 
from all the fnaky tire went round ; 
readful fignal all the rocks rebound, 
hrough th' Achaian cities fend the found, 
with high Pamaflus, heard the voice; 165 

:s* hank» remurmurM to the noife ; 
Leucothoe (hook at thefe ahrms, 
refs'd Palaemon clofer in Kcr arms, 
ing from thence the glowing Fuiy ipringf, 
I'er the Tlieban palace fpreads her wings, tjm 
nore invades the guilty dome, and ftirouds 
ght pavilions in a veil of clouds. 
It with the rage of all their race poffefsM, 
to the foul, the brothers ftart from reft, 
il their Furies wake within their breaft. 



175 V 



minat, fignum terris, unde enm^ Achsci 

aris late,' Pelopeiaque regna refuhant. 

L et me^is coeli Pamaffus, et afper 1$^ 

IS, dubiamque )iigo firagor impulTt Oetfeit 

IS, et gemiais vix ftu6tiboa obftitit Ifthmot* 

mm genitrix, cunro dtlphiBd vagantem 

lit firenia, gremioque Palaemona ficffit. 

: ea Cadmaeo praeceps ubi limine- printna 17* 

tit, afliietaque in&cit sube penates^ 

us attoniti fratrum fub pe6Vore motii^ 

efque animot fubiit fim»> 'tegmpK lattic* 



tS^ P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Their toiturM minds repming Envy tears, 

An»l Hart, engendered by fufpicious fears 5 

And uciTcd Thirft of fway ; and all the ties 

Of N-ituixr broke 9 and royal Perjuries 5 

And impotent Deiire to reign alone, 189 

TT\.'vt iVcms the dull revcrfion of a throne ; 

Kach would the f*-eets of fovereign rule devour. 

While Diicord waits upon divided power. 

As fiubbom itccrs by brawny plowmen broke. 
And joinM reluftant to the galling yoke, 185 

Alike dildain with fervile necks to bear 
Th' unwonted weight, or drag the crooked (hare. 
But rend the reins, and bound a different "way. 
And all the furrows in confiiiion lay ; 
Such was the difcord of the royal pair, i^ 

Whom fiiry drove precipitate to war. 



Invidia, atque parens odii metus : inde regendi 

Saevus amor : niptaeque vices, jurifque fecundi 

Ambitus impatiens, et fummo dulcius unum 

Stare loco, fociifque comes difcordia regnis, iSt 

Sic ubi deleflos per torva armenta juvenco^ 

Agricola impofito fociare affe^bit aratro : 

Illi indignantes quis nondum vomere multo 

Ardua nodofos cervix defcendit in armos. 

In diverfa trahunt, atque aequis vincula laxant 

Viribus, et vario confundunt limite fulcos : 

Haud fecus indomitos praeceps difcordia fiatres lot 

Afperat. altemi placuit fub legibus anni 

Exilio mutare ducem» fie jure maligno 



Bookl. THEBAIS OP STATIUS. i«5 

In vain the chiefs contrived a fpecious way. 

To govern Thebes by their alternate fway : 

Unjuft decree t while this enjoys the ftate. 

That mourns in exile his unequal fate, x^^ 

And the fliort monarch of a hafty year 

Forefees with angui(h his returning heir. 

Thus did the league their impious arms reftnun. 

But fcarce fubfifted to the fecond reign. 

Yet then, no proud afpiring piles were raisM, 20« 
No fretted roofs with polilhM metals blaz'd ; 
No laboured columns in long order plac'd. 
No Grecian ftone the pompous arches grac'd ; 
Vo nightly bands in glittering armour wait 
Before the (leeplefs Tyrant's guarded gate ; 205 

No chargers then were wrought in burnifh*d gold. 
Nor filver vafes took the forming mold j 



Nor 



Fortunam tranfire jubent, ut fceptra tenentem 
Foedere praecipiti femper novus angeret haeres. 
Hacc inter fratres pietas erat j haec mora pugnae 
Sola, nee in regem perduratura fecundum. 

£t nondum craflb laquearia fulva metallo> ao« 

Montibus aut alte Graiis eiiulta nitebant 
Atria, congeftos fatis explicitura clientes. 
Non impacatis regum advigilantia fomnis 205 

Pila, nee altema'ferri ftatione gementes 
Excubiae, ncc cura mcro conunittere gemmas, 
Atque aumm violare cibis. Sed nuda poteftas 
Armavit fnxn% : pugna eft de paupere Ttg;no. 
Dumguc utmr aiiguiliie fqualcxma iugct^Ducem 



%%C POPE'S POEMS. 

Nor gems on bowls embofs'd were feen to ihiney 
Blaze on the brimsy and fparkle in the wine— 
Say^ wretched rivals ! what provokes your xage? 
Say, to what end your impious arms engage i 
Not all bright Phoebus views in early inoni» 
Or when -his evenifig beams the weft adomy 
When the fouth glows with his meridian ray^ 
And the cold north receives a fainter day j 
For crimes like thefe, not all thole realm* Aifficc^ 
Were all thofe realms the guilty viftar** prize I 
But fortune now (the lots of empire thrown^ 
Decrees to proud Eteocles the crown : 
What joys, oh Tyrant 1 fwcll'd thy foul diat day. 
When all were fiaves thou couldft around furvey. 

Pie 

Vertcret, aut Tyrii folio non altus ovaret 
Senilis, ambigitur 5 pernt jus, fafque, bonumque, 
Et vitae, morti^ue pudor. Quo tendids mi. 
Ah mifen? ^uid fi peteretur crimine tanto 
Limes mterqwe poli» jquem Sol emifliis Eoo 
Cardine, quem. porta vergens profpe6bit Ibera ? 
Q^afque proeul terras obliquo (idere tangit " 
Avius, aut Borea gelidas, madidive tepente9 
Igne Noti ? quid ii Tyriae Phrygiaeve iiib unvmi 
9«a^e6lentur opes ? loca dira» arce(que ne&ndat- 
Suifecere odio, fwtiiq«e immanibu9 emptum eft 
Oedipodae fsdiffe loco. Jam forte carebat 
Dilatus Polynicts honos. qiiis tum tibi, faere^ 
Quis fuit ille diss } vacua cum folu» in aula 
Kefpiceret ju8<ubbc tuumr enaAofque min%re«^ 



I. T.HEBAIS OF STATfUS. i^%j 

d to behold unbounded power thy owd> 
Ingly fill a feai'd and envy'd throne I 
: the vile Vulgar, ever difcontent, 

growing fears in fecret murmurs Tent ; %%^ 

irone to change, though ftill the ilavee of ftate^ 
.ure the. monarch whom they have, to hate j 
ords they madly make, then tamely bear^ 
Toftly curfe tho Tyrants whom d^ey fear. 
>ne of thofe who groan beneath the fway %i^ 

ngs imposed, and grudgingly obey, 
>m envy to the great and vulgar fpight 
fcandal arm^d, th' ignoble mind's delight) 
imM— O Thebes I for thee what fates remain t 

woes attend this inaufpicious reign ! %^$ 

we> alas ! our doubtful necks prepare^ X 

haughty mailer's yoke by turns to bear, >; 

lill to change whom changed we (till muft fear ? J 

now control a wretched pe<^ple's fate, 

can divide, and thele reverie the fiate 2 9^ 

^'ortune rules no more :— O iervile lanc^ 
t exird tyrants ftill by turns command \ 

fquam pur toe caput? Jam murmura ferpunt 
EchwnJAt, tacLtumque a^ principe vulgus 
St, et (qui moA populis) v^nturus amaturi. 
: aliquis, cui mens humili laejOifle venena 
la, nee impoiitos unquam cervice volenti 
duces I HanczM Ogygiis, ait, afpera cobut 93^ 
ulere vicem? toties mutare timendos» 
o^pic jmgo dubitantia fubdprQ colkl . 



»S8 P o p fe'S p d fe M s. 

Thou fire of gods and men, imperial Jove ! 

Is this th' eternal doom decreed above ? 

On thy own offspring haft thou fix*d this fiitc, 145 

From the firft biiih of our unhappy ftate j 

When banifh'd Cadmus, wandering o'er Ac main^ 

For loft Europa fearch'd the world iivvain. 

And, fated in Boeotian fields to found 

A rifing empire on a foreign ground, 3^ 

Firft i-ais'd our walls on that ilUomenM plain» 

Where eaith-bom brothers were by brothers ilain ? 

What lofty looks th" unrival'd monarch bears I 

How all the tyrant in his face appears { 

What fuUen fury clouds his fcomful brow ! jjj 

Gods ! how his eyes with threatening ardour glow ! 

Can this imperious lord forget to reign. 

Quit all his ftate, defcend, and ferve again f 

Yet, 

Partiti verfant populonim fata, manuque 

Fortunam fecere levem. fempeme viciflim 

Exulibus fervire dabor ? tibi, fumme deorum, 

Terrarumque fator, fociis banc addere mentem 

Sedit ? an inde vetus Thebis extenditur omen^ 

£x quo Sidonii nequicquam blanda juvenci 

Pondera, Carpathio jufiiis fale quaerere Cadmus 

£xul Hyanteos invenit regna per agros & %^ 

FratemaTque acies foetae telluris hiatu, 

Augurium, feros dimiiit adufque nepotes f 

Cemis ut ere£lum torva fub fronte minetur 

Saevior aflurgens dempto conforte poteftas ? 

Quas gerit ore minas ? quanto premit omnia fafhi ? 



Booki. THfiBAlS OF STATIUS, 2^9 

Yet, who, before, more popularly bow'd. 

Who more propitious to the fuppliant croud ? %6o 

Patient of right, familiar in the throne ? 

What wonder then ? he was not then alone. 

O wretched we, a vile fubmiflive train. 

Fortune's tame fools, and flaves in every reign ! 

As when two winds with rival force contend, 26^ 
This way and that, the wavering fails they bend. 
While freezing Boreas and black Eurus blow. 
Now here, now there, the reeling veffel throw j 
Thus, on each fide, alas ! our tottering ftate 
Feels all the fury of refiftlefs fate 5 iyo 

And doubtful ((ill, and ftill diftraaed f^ands. 
While that Prince threatens, and while this com- 
mands. 

And now th' almighty Father of the Gods 
Convenes a council in the bleft abodes : 

Far 

Hicne ilnquam privatus erit ? tamen ille precanti 
Mitis, et affatu bonus et patientior aequi. 260 

Quid minim ? non folus erat. nos vilis in omnes 
Prompta manus cafus domino cuicunque parati. 
Qualiter hinc gelidus Boreas, hinc nubifer Eurus 265 
Vela trahunt, nutat mediae fortuna carinae. 
Heu dubio fufpenfa metu, tolerandaque nullis 
Afpera fors populis ! hie imperat : ille minatur. 270 

At Jovis imperiis i*apidi fuper atria coeli 
Leftus concilio div^m convenerat ordo 
Interiore polo, ipatiis hinc omnia juxta 

Vol. I. U 



»90 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Far in the bright receflfes of the ikies, 175 

High o>i* the roiling heavens, a maniion lies. 
Whence, far below, the Gods at once furvey } 

I he realms of riiing and declining day, > 

And all th' extended fpace of earth, and air, and £au J 
VwW in the midft, and on a ftarry throne, s8o 

The Majefty of heaven fuperior (hone $ 
Sf rcnc he look'd, and gave an awful nod. 
And all the trembling fpheies confefs'd the God. 
At Jove's aiTcnt, the deities aronnd 
In folcmn ftate the confiftory crowned, 1S5 

Next a long order of inferior powers 
Afccml from hills, and plains, and fliady bowers; 
Thole from whofe urns the rolling rivers flow $ 
And thofe that give the wandering winds to blow: 
HciT all their rage, and ev^n their murmurs ceafe, S90 
And faclx^d filence reigns, and univerfal peace. 
A lliining fynod of majeftic Gods 
Gilds with new luilre the divine abodes j 

Heaven 

Primacque occiduaeque domus, efFu(a fub omni 
Terra atque unda die. mediis fefe arduus infert aSo 
Ipfe deis, placido quatiens tamen omnia vnltu^ 
Stcllantique locat folio, nee protinus auii 
Coelicolae, veniam donee pater ipfe fedendi 
Tranquilla jubet efle manu. mox tmba vagorum 
Semideum, et fummis cognati nubibus Aonnes^ 
£t comprclfa metu fervantes murmura venti. 
Aurea teda replent j mixta convexa deorum 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS- 291 

Heaven feems improv*d with a fuperior ray, 
' And the bright arch reflefls a double day. 295 

The Monarch theh his folemn filence broke^ 
The ftill creation liften*d while he fpoke. 
Each facred accent bears eternal weight, 
Aad each irrevocable woi-d is Fate. 

How long fhall man the wrath of Heaven defy, 300 
And force unwilling vengeance from the iky I 
Oh race confederate into crimes, that prove 
Triumphant o'er th* eluded rage of Jove ! 
This wearyM arm can fcarce the bolt fuftain. 
And unregarded thunder rolls in vain : 305 

Th' o'erlabour'd Cyclop from his talk retires j 
Th^ .^Bolian forge exhaufted of its fires. 
For this I fufferM Phoebus* (leeds to fhvy^ 
And the mad Ruler to mifguide the day. 

When 

Majeftate tremunt : radiant majore fereno 
Culmina, et arcano fiorentes lumine poftes. 295 

Poftquam jufla quies, iiluitque exterritus orbis« 
Incipit ex alto : (grave et inunutabile fan^tis 
Pondus adeft verbis, et vocem fata fequuntur) 
Terrarum delifla, nee exfuperabile dtris 
Ingenium mortale queror. quonam ufqiie nocentum 
Exi^^ in poenas ? taedet faevire corufco 306 

Fulmine ; jampridem Cyclopum operofa fattfeunt 
Brachtft, et .Mo\m» defimt incudibus ignes* 
Atque ideo tuleram falib rt&ort folutos 
Solit equos, codumque rods enrahttbus oriy 
V ^ 



tgz P O P E'S P QE M S. 

When the wide earth to heaps of afhes tum'd, 310 

And heaven itfclf the wandering chariot bum'd. 
For this, my brother of the watery reign J 

Released th' impetuous (luices of the main : > 

But flames confum'd, and billows rag'd in vain, 3 
Two races now, ally 'd to Jove, offend; 315 

To punifh thefe, fee Jove himfelf defcend. 
The Theban Kings their line from Cadmus trace. 
From godlike Perfeus thofe of Argive race. 
. Unhappy Cadmus' fate who does not know. 
And the long feries^of fucceeding woe ? 320 

Kow oft the Furies, from the deeps of night, 
Arofe, and jmix'd with men in mortal fight : 
Th' exulting mother, ftain'd with filial blood 5 
The favage hunter, and the haunted wood ? 
The direful banquet why ihould I proclaim, 325 

And crimes that grieve the trembling Gods to name ? 

Ere 

£t Phaetontaea mundum fquallere favilla. 310 

Nil aftum eft ; neque tu valida quod cufpide late 
Ire per illicitum'pelago, germane, dedifti. 
Nunc geniinas punire domos, quis fanguinis autor 
Ipfe ego, defcendo. Perfeos alter in Ai-gos 
Scinditiir, Aonias^uit hie ab origine Thebas. 
Mens cun6lis impofta manet. Quis funera Cadmi 
Ncfciat ? et toties excitam a fedibus imis 311 

Eumenidum bellaife aciem ? mala gaudia matnim, 
Eirorefque feros nemonim, et reticenda deonim 
Crimina } vix lacis fpatio, vix no£kh aba^lae 
Knumei-are queam mpres; gentemque profanam. 325 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 193 

Ere I recount the fins of thefe prophane, ^ 

TThe fun would fmk into the weftem main, jL 

And riiing gild the radiant eaft again, 3 

Have we not feen (thp blood of Laius (hed) ^ 30 

The murdering fon afcend his parent's bed. 

Through violated nature force his way. 

And ftain the facred womb where once he lay? 

Yet now in darknefs and defpair he groans 5 

And for the crimes of guilty fate atones 5 335 

His fons with fcom their eylefs father vitiw, 

Infult his wounds, and make them bleed anew. 

Thy curfe, oh Oedipus, juft heaven alarms, 

Andfet* th' avenging Thunderer in arms. 

I from the root thy guilty race will tear, 340 

And give the nations to the vwifte of war. 

Adr^ftus foon, with Gods av«rfe, ikall join 

In dire alliance with the Theban line : 

HenccL 

Scandere quinedam thalamos hie impius haeres 
Patris, et immeritae grcmium inceftare parentis 
Apetiit, proprios monftro revohitus in ortus. 
Ille tamen Superis aetema placula folvit, 
Projecitque diem : nee jam amplius aethere noftro ' 
Vefcitur : at nati (facinus fine more !) cadentes 335 
Calcavere oailos. jam jam rata vota tulifti. 
Dire fencx ; merucrc tua, meruere tenebrae 
Ultorem fperare Jovem, nova fontibus arma 
Injiciam regnis, totumque a ftirpe revellam 340 

Exitiale genus, belli mihi femina funto 
Adrailus focefi et fuperis adjun£b finiftni 
U3 



^94. P O P E ' S P O E M 8. 

Hence ftrife (hall rife, and mortal war fucceed i 
The guilty realms of Tantalus (hall bleed : J45 

Fix'd is their doom ; this all-remembering hns^ 
Yet harbours vengeance for the tyrant^ feaft. 

He faid ; and thus the Queen of heaven retiim^d i 
(With fudden grief her laboring boP>m bum'd) 
Muft I, who(k cares Phoroneus' towers defend, 350 
Muft I, oh Jove, in bloody wars contend ? 
T^ou know^ft thofe regions my prote£tion claims 
Glorious in aims, in riches, and in £ame : 
Though thcie the fair Egyptian heiftr ied. 
And there deluded Argus flept, and bled j j^^ 

Though there the brazen tower was ftonn*d of did. 
When Jove defcended in almighty gold. 
Yet I can pardon thofe obfcurer xs^mk, 
Thofe balhfiil crimes difguisM in borrow^ ihapcs $ 

But 

Connubia. Hanc etiam poenis Inceflere gentem 
Pecretum : neque enim arcano de peAore fallax 345 
Tantalus, et faevae periit injuria menfae. 

Sic pater omnipotens. Afl illi faucia di^Us, 
Flammato verfaas inopinum corde dolorem, 
Talia Juno refert : Mene, 6 )uftiffinie divito. 
Me bello certare jubes ? fcis femper ut arcea 
Cyclopum, magnique Phoroneos inclyta fama ^m 

Sceptra viri^ opibufque juvem ; licet improbus illic 
Cuilodem Pharkie, fomnoletoque juvencae ^^^ 

Exdnguas, feptis et turribus aureus intres. 
Mentitis ignofco toris : illam odimus urbein« 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATlUS. 9195 

But Thebes, where, fhining in celeftial chantts, 360 
Thou cam'ft triumphant to a mortal *8 arms. 
When all my glories o'er her limbs were fpread. 
And blazing lightnings danced around her bed $ 
Curs'd Thebes the vengeance it deferves, may prove— 
Ah, why fhould Argos feel the rage of Jove ? 365 

Yet, iince thou wilt thy fitter Qiwen control^ 
Since (till the luft of difcord fires thy foul^ 
Go, rafe my Samos, let Mycene fall^ 
And level with the duft the Spartan wall $ 
No more let mortals Juno*s power invdce, 370 1 

Her fanes no more with eaftem incenfe fmoke, > 

Nor victims fink beneath the ikcred ftroke 5 J 

But Id your Ifis all my rights transfer. 
Let altars blaze and temj^s firnoke for her;; 
For her, through Egypt's fruitful clime renowned, 375 
X<et weeping Nihis hear the timbrel found. 
But if thou muft reform the fhibbom times. 
Avenging on die fons the father's crimes, ^ 

And 

Q^am vultu confeflus adis : ubi confcia magni .360 
Signa tori, tonitrus agis, ettnea fulmina torques. 
Fa£bi luant Thebae : cur hoftes eligis Argos f - 365 
Quin age, fi tanta eft didami difcordia fan6ki, 
£t Samon, et veteres armis exfcinde Myceiuit. ' 
Verte folo Sparten. cur ufqttam fanguine fefto . 
Conju^s ara tuae, cumulo ew tharis £01 
Laeta calet^ melius vetis Mareotica fumat 
Coptos, et aerifoni lugtntia flumina Nili. 
Q^ukl fi prifi;a luunt autorunl trimiaa |^nt9H 
U4 



fl9^ P O P E'S P O E M.S. 

And fi;om the long records of diftant age 
Derive incitements to renew thy rage; jgo 

Say, from what period then has Jove defign'd 
To (late his vengeance'; to what bounds confined? 
Begin from thence, where firft Alpheus hides *) 

His wandering ftream, and through the briny tides > 
Unmix'd tq his Sicilian river glides. ggr j 

Thy own Arcadians there the thunder claTm, 
. Whofe impious rites difgrace thy mighty name i 
Who raife thy temples where the chariot ftood 
Of fierce Oenomaus, defil'd with blood; 
Where once his fteeds their favagc banquet found, .390 
And human bpnes yet whiten all die ground. 
Say, can thofe honours pleafe ? and canft thou love 
Prefumptuous Crete, that boafts the tomb of Jove ! 
And ihall not Tantalus's kingdom fhare 
Thy wife and filler's tutelaiy cai'e ? -g^ 

Reverie, 

E ■ II' ] . ; 

Subvenitque tuis fera haec fententia curis ; 380 

Percenfere aevi fenium, quo tempore tandem 
Terrarum furias abolere, et fecula retro 
Emendare fat eft ? jamdudum ab fedibus illis 
Incipe, flufliyaga qua praeterlabitur unda 3S5 

Sicanos longe relegens Alpheus amores. 
Arcades hie tua (nee pudor eft) delubra nefaftis 
Impofuerc locis : illic Mavoitius axis 
OenomaV, Geticoque pecus ftabulare fub Aemo. 
Dignius : abruptis etianmum inhumata procorum 
Relliquiis trunca ora rigent. tamen hie dbi templi 
^ratus ho^os. placet Id^ pocens> mentitaque numtf 



] 



Bookl. T^EBAIS OF STATIUS. 197 

Reverfe, Jove, thy too fevere decree, 
Nor doom to war a race deriv'd from thee 5 
On impipus realms and barbarous Kings impofe 
Thy plagues, and curfe them with fuch fons as tho/e. 
Thus, -in. reproach and prayer, the Queen exprefs'd 
The rage and grief contending in her breaft ; 
Unmov'd remain'd the Ruler of the iky. 
And from his throne retum'd thiffftern reply : 
'Twas thus I deem'd thy haught^ foul would bear 
The dire, though juft, i-evenge which I prepare 405 
Againft a nation thy peculiar care : 
No lefs Dione niight for Thebes contend. 
Nor Bacchus lefs his native town defend. 
Yet thefe in filence fee the fates fulfil 
Their work, and reverence our fuperior will. ^10 

For, by the black infernal Styx I fwear, 
(That dreadful oath which binds the Thunderer) 
•Tis fix\d 5* th' irrevocable doom of jove j 
No force can bend me, no periuafion move, 

H^ 

Creta tuos. me Tantaleis confiftere tef^is. 
Quae tandtoi invidia eft ? belli defleC^e tumultus, 
£t generis miferefce tui. funt impia late 
Regna tibi, melius generos paflura nocentes. 

Finieratmifcensprecibus convicia Juno, 400 

At non ille gravis, difHs, quanquam afpera, motus 
Reddidit haec ; Equidem baud rebar te mente fecunda 
JLaturam, quodcunque tuos (licet aequus) in Argos 
Confulerem,' neque me (detur fi copia) fallit 
Multafiiper Thebis Bacchum, aufuramque DvoctKOk 



»98 P O PK'S P O E M S. 

Hafte then, Cyllenius, through the liquid air 5 4.15 

Go mount the windsy and to the fliades repair $ 

Bid heirs black monarch my commands obey. 

And give up Laius to the realms of day, 

Whofe ghoft, yet ihivering on Cocytus' fand, 

£xpe6ls its paiTage to the farther ftrand t 410 

Let the pale fire revifit Thebes, and bear 

Thefe plcafing orderhtx) the tyrant's car; 

That, from his exiPd: brother, fwelPd vnth pride 

Of foreign forces, and his Argive bride. 

Almighty Jove commands him to detain 415 

The promised empire, and alternate reign x 

Be this the caufe of more than mortal hate : 

The reft, fucceediag times (hall npea into Fate, 

Tkc 

Dicere, (ed noftri reverentia ponderis obftat. 
Horrendos etenim latices, Stygia aequora fratris 
Obteftor, manfurum et non revocabile verum. 
Nil fore quo diftis fleftar. quare impiger ales 41 j 

Portantes praecede Notos Cyllenia proles : 
Aera per liquidum, regnifque illapfus opacxs 
Die patruo, Superas fenior fe tollat ad auras 
Lai'us, extinfhmi natl quem vulnere, nondum 
Ulterior Lethes accepit ripa profundi 410 

Lege Erebi : ferat haec diro mea )ufla nepoti 
Germanum exilio fretum, Argolicifque tumentem 
Hofpitiis, quod fponte cupit, procul impius aula 
Ai'ceat, altemum regni inficiatus honorem : 
Hinc cauiae irarum } certo reliqua ordmt ducan. 



Book I. THEBAIS OP STATIUS. ^99 

The god obqrSf and to his feet applies 
Thofe goldep wmgs that cut the yielding flues. 430 
His ample h^t his beamy locks o'er-fpread. 
And veird the ftarry glories of his head. 
He feiz'd the wand that eaufes ileep to fly. 
Or in foft flumhers feals the wakeful eye ; 
That drives the d^ad to dark Tartarian coafls, 435 
Or back to life compels the wandering ghofts. 
Thus, through the parting clouds^ the fon of May 
Wings on the whirling winds his rapid Mfay $ 
Now fmoothly fteera through air his equal flight, 
^ow fprii^s i^ioft, and towers iAC etherial height j 446 
Then wheeling down the fteep of heaven he flies. 
And draws n radiant circle o'er the ikies. 

Meantime the banifli'd Polynices roves 
(His Theb^ yb^ndon'd) JihiQughth* Adnian groves. 
While future realms his wandering dioughts delight, 
llis (l^ily vifion and his dream by night j 

Forbidden 

Paret Atlantiades di^s genitoris, et inde 
Summa pedum propsre plantaribus illigat alis, 430 
Obnubitque comas, e^ temperat a^ galero. 
Turn dextrae vii^am inieruit, qua pellere dukes 
Aut fuadere itsrum fomnos, qua nigra fubire 435 

Tartaia, etexangues aniiBare afliieverat umbras. 
Defiluit; tenuique exceptus inhorruit aura. 
K^ mora, fublimes raptim per inane Tolatui 44* 

Carpit, et ingenti defignat nubila gyro* 

Interea patrus olim vagus exul ab oris 
Oedipodionides furta deierta pererrat 



300 P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

Forbidden Thebes appears before his eye. 
From whence he fees his abfent brother fly. 
With tranfport views the airy rule his own. 
And fwells on an imaginary throne. 
Fain would he caft a tedious age away. 
And live out all in one triumphant day. 
He chides the lazy progrefs of the fun. 
And bids the year with fwifter motion run. 
With anxious hopes his craving mind is toft. 
And all his joys in length of wiihes loft. 

The. hero then refolves his courfe to bend 
Wliere ancient Danaiis* fruitful fields extend^ 
And haCd Mycene*s lofty towers afceqd, 
(Where late the fun did Atreus* crimes deteft. 
And difappear'd in horror of the feaft.) 
And now^ by chance, by fate, or furies led. 
From Bacchus* confecrated caves he fled. 



Aoniae. jam jamque animis male debita regna 
Concipit, etlongum fignis cun^ntibus annum 
Staire gemit. tenet una dies noftefquc recurfans 
Cura virum, fi quando humilem decedere regno 
Germanum, et femet Thebis, opibufque potitum 
Cemeret : hac aevum cupiat pro luce pacifci. 
Nunc queritur ceu tarda fugae difpendia t fed mo3 
Attollit flatus ducis, et fediffe fuperbum 
Deje^lo fe £i?»*'- ~"*at. fpcs anxia mentem 
Extrahitr ■mit gaudia voto. 

Tunc fe( Oanaeiaque arva> 

Etcalig! 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 301 

Where the (hrill cries of frantic matrons found. 

And Pentheus' blood cnrich'd the rifing ground. 465 

Then fees Cithaeron towering o'er the plain. 

And thence declining gently to the main. 

Next to the bounds of Nifus' realm repairs, 

Where ti-eacherous JScylla cut tlie purple hairs : 

The hanging cliffs of Scyron's rock explores, 470 

And hears the murmurs of the diflferent ihores : 

Paffes the ftrait that parts the foaming feas. 

And ftately Corinth's pleafing fite furveys. 

'Twas now the time when Phoebus yields to night. 
And rifing Cynthia fheds her filver light, 475 

Wide o'er the world in folemn pomp ihe drew 
Her aiiy chariot, hung with pearly dew j 
All birds and beafts lie hufh'd : Sleep fteals away 
The wild defires of men, and toils of 4ay, 

And 

Ferre iter impavidum. feu praevia ducit Erinnys, 
Seu fors ilia viae five hac immota vocabat 
Atropos. Ogygiis ululata furoribus antra 
Deferit, et pingues Bacchaeo fanguine colles. 465 

Inde plagam, qua moUe fedens in plana Cithaeron 
Ponrigitur, laifumque inclinat ad aequora montem, 
Praeterit. hinc ar£le fcopulofo in limite pendens, 470 
Infames Scyrone petras, Scyllaeaque rura 
Purpureo regnata feni, mitemque Corinthon 
Linquit, et in mediis audit duo littora campis. 

Jamque per emeriti furgens confinia Phoebi 475 

Titanis, late mundo fubve6la filenti 
Rorifera gelidum tenuaverat aera biga. 
Jam pecudes voluci^fque tacent} jam Somiiu% !Kmv% 



30* P O P E ' S P O E M S. 

And brings, defcending through the filent adf, 4S0 
A fweet forgetfulnefs of human care. 
Yet no red clouds, with golden borders gay, 
Promife the Ikies the bright return of day ; 
No faint refleftions of the diftant light 
Streak with long gleams the fcattering (hades of night; 
From the damp earth impervious vapours rife, 
Encreafe the darknefs, and involve the ikies. 
At once the rufliing winds with roaring found 
Burft from th' -ffiolian caves, and rend the ground, 
With equal rage their airy quarrel try, 490 

And win by turns the kingdom of the iky; 
But with a thicker night black Aufkr ihrouds 
The heavens, and drives on heaps the rolling clouds, 
From wh<^ dark womb a rattling tempeft pours, 
Which the cold North congeals to haily ihowers. 495 

From 

Inferpit curis, pronufque per aera nutat, 480 

Grata laboratae referrens oblivia vitae. 
Sed nee puniceo rediturum nubila coelo 
Promifere jubar, nee rarefcentibus umbris 
Longa repercuffo nituere crepufcula Phoebo. 
Denfior a terris, et nulli pervia flammae 486 

Subtcxit nox atra polos, jam clauftra rigentis 
Aeoliae percufla fonant, venturaque rauco 
Ore minatur hiems ; venti tranfverfa frementes 
Confllgunt, axemque emoto cardine vellunt, 49^ 

Bum coclum fibi quifque rapit. fed plurimus Aufter 
Inglomerat no6lem, et tenebrofa volumina torquet, 
"^efimditque imbres, ficco quos afper hiatu 
r/&iidat Boreas, nee TiOTia\>xxx^xaXx«nttSsrax 495 



THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 503 

>le to pole the thunder roars aloud 

)ken lightnings flafli from eveiy cloud. 

oaks with ihpwers the mifty mountain gi'ound, 

ited fields lie undiftinguiih^d round. 

chian ftreams with headlong fury run, ^09, 

ifinus rolls a deluge on : 

ming Lerna fwells above its bounds^ 

eads its ancient poifons o^er the grounds 

ate was duft, now rapid toirents play, 

rough the mounds, and bear the dams away : 

bs of trees from crackling forefts torn, 

Irrd in air, and on the winds are Ixtfne t 

m the dark Lycaean groves difphiyM, 

\ to light exposed the facred ihade. 

repid Theban hears the burfting iky, 510 

Rming rocks in mafiy fragments fly. 

And 

, et attritus fubita face rumpitur aether. 

mea, jam Taenareis contermina lucis 

e capita alta madent : ruit agmine fa6lo 50a 

, et gelidas furgens Eraiinus ad Ar£los. 

lenta.priuS) calcandaque fiumina nuUae 

>u$ tenuiere morae, ftagnoque refiifa eft 

s, et veteri fpumavit Lerna vmeno. 

iir omne nemus ; rapiunt antiqua procellae 

fylvanun, nuUifque afpe& per aevum 506^ 

umbtxifi patuere aeftiva Lycaei. 

en niodo iaxa jugis fugientiaruptis 51^- 

', modo nubigenas e montibus amnes 

ivenS) pafiimque infaao turbine raptat 



304 P P E*S P O E M Si 

And views aftoniih'd from the hills afar. 
The floods defcending, and the watery war^ 
That, driven by ftorms and pouring o'er the plain. 
Swept herds, and hinds, and houfes to the main. 515 
Through the brown horrors of the night he fled. 
Nor knows, amaz'd, what doubtful path to tread ; 
His brother^s image to his mind appears. 
Inflames his heart with rage, and wings his feet with 
fears. 

So fares a failor on the fl:ormy main, 510 

When clouds conceal Bootes** golden wain. 
When not a ftar its friendly luftre keeps. 
Nor trembling Cynthia glimmers on the deeps; 
He dreads the rocks, and flioals, and feas, and ikies, 
While thunder roars, and lightning round him flies. 

Thus ftrove the chief, on every fide diftrefs'd. 
Thus ftill his courage with his toils encreasM j 

With 

Paftorum pecorumque domo^. non fegnius amens, 

Incertufque viae, per nigra filentia, vaftum 

Haurit iter : pulfat metus undique, et undique frater. 

Ac velut hibemo deprenfus navita ponto, 510 

Cui neque temo piger, neque amico fidere monftrat 
Luna vias, medio coeli pelagique tumultu 
Stat rationis inops : jam jamque aut faxa malignis 
Expeftat fubmerfa vadis, aut vertice acuto 
Spumantes fcopulos ereftae incurrere proi-ae : 
Talis opaca legens nemorum Cadraei'us heros 
ccelerat, vafto metuenda umbone ferarum 
ccutiens ftabula, ct ^rono virgulta refringit 



( 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 305 

With his broad (hield opposM, he forc'd his way 

Through thickeft woods, and rousM the beafts of prey. 

Till he beheld, where from Larif&'s height 530 

The ftielving walls refleft a glancing light : 

Thither with hafte the Theban Hero flies j 

On this fide Lema's poifonous water lies. 

On that Profymna's grove and temple rife : 

He pafs'd the gates which then unguarded lay, 535 

And to the regal palace bent his way ; 

On the cold marble, fpent with toil, he lies. 

And waits till pleafmg (lumbers feal his eyes. 

Adraihis here his happy people fways, 
Bleft with calm peace in his declining days. 540 

By both his parents of defcent divine. 
Great Jove and Phoebus girac'd his noble line : 

Heaven 

Pe^lore : dat (timulos animo vis moefta timoris. 
Donee ab Inachiis vi6la caligine te^Us 530 

Emicuit lucem devexa in moenia fundens 
Lariflaeus apex, illo fpe concitus omni 
Evolat. hinc celfae Junonia templa Profymnae 
Laevus habet, hinc Herculeo fignata vapore 535 

Lemaei ftagna atra vadi, . tandemque recluiis 
Infertur portis. a6hitum rcgia cemit 
Veftibula, hie artus irobri, ventoque regentes 
Projicit, ignotaeque acclinis poftibus aulae 
Invitat tenues ad dura cubilia fomnds. 

Rex ibi tranquillae medio de limite vitae 
In fenium vergens populos Adraftus habebat, 549 

Dives avis, et utroque Jovem de fanguinc duc&ii%% 

Vol. I. X 



3o6 POPE'S POEMS. 

Heaven had not crown'd his wifhes with a fon. 

But two fair daughters heir'd his ftate and tlirone. 

To him Apollo (wondrous to relate ! ^4, 

But who can pierce into the depths of fate ?) 

Had fung— " Expeft thy Tons on Argos' fliore, 

" A yellow lion and a briftly boar." 

This, long revolv'd in his paternal breaft. 

Sate heavy on his heart, and broke his reft j ^50 

This, great Amphiai-aus, lay hid from thee. 

Though fkiird in fate, and dark futurity. 

The father's care and prophet's art were vain. 

For thus did the predifting God ordain. 

Lo haplefs Tydeus, whofe ill-fated hand ree 

Had flain his brother, leaves his native land. 
And feiz'd with horror in the fhades of night. 
Through the thick defarts headlong urg'd his flight: 

Now 

Hie fexus melioris inops, fed prole virebat 
Foeminea, gemino natarum pignore fultus. 
Cui Phoebus generos (monftrum exitiabile di6lu ! 
Mox adapeita fides) aevo dncente canebat 
Setigerumque fuem, et fulvum adventare leonem. 
Haec volvens, non, ipfc pater, non, do6le futtiri c c© 
Amphiarae, vides j etenim vetat autor Apollo. 
Tantum in corde fedens aegrefcit cura parentis. 

Ecce autem antiquam fato Calydona relinquens ckc 
Olenius Tydeus (fratemi fanguinis ilium 
Confcius horror agit) eadem fub noSit fopora 
Lilftra terit, fenilefque Notos dequeftus et imbresj, 
Infufam tcrgo glacicm, et liqucntia nimbis 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. ^of 
Now by the fury of the tempeft driven^ 
He feeks alhelter from th* inclement heaveni k6^ 

Till, led by Fate, the Theban's fteps he treads, . 
And to fair Argos' open court fucceeds. 

When thus the chiefs from di^rent lands refort 
T' Adraftus' realms, and hofpi table court 5 
The King furveys his guefts with curious eyes, 565 
And views their arms and habit with furprice* 
A lion's yellow (kin the Theban wears. 
Horrid his mane, and rough with curling hairs i 
Such once employed Alcides' youthful toils. 
Ere yet adom'd with Nemea's dreadful fpoils. 57© 

A boar's ftiff hide, of Calydonian breed, 
Oenides' manly ihoulders overfpread. 
Oblique his tuiks, ertSi his brillles flood. 
Alive, the pride and terror of the wood. 

Struck with the fight, and fix'd in deep amaze, 575 
The King th' accomplifh'd Oracle furveys. 

Reveres 

Ora, comafque gerens, fubit uno tegmine, cujus 560 
Fufus humo gelida, partem prior hofpes habebat*^ 

Hie primum luftrare oculis cultufque virorum 
Telaque magna vacat ; tergo videt hujus intfnem 
Impexis utrinque jubis horrere leonem, 
Illius in fpeciem, quem per Teumefia Tempe 
Amphitryoniades fra6him juvenilibus armis 570 

Ante Cleonaei veftitur praelia monftri. 
Terribilcs contra fctis, ac dente recui-vo 
Tydea per latos humeros ambire laborant 
Exuviae, Calydonis honos. ftupet omine tiatkXs^ vi ^ 
X % 



joz P O P E'S P O E M $• 

Reveres Apollo*9 vocal caves, and owns 

The guided Godhead, and his future fons. 

0*er all his bofom fecret tranfports rtigiif 

And a glad horror fhootj through every vein, 580 

To heaven he lifts his hands, ere6ls his fight. 

And thus invokes the filent Que«i of night : 

Goddefs of fhades, beneath whofe gloomy reign 
Yon' fpangled arch glows with the ftany train : 
You who the cares of heaven and earth allay, 5^$! 
Till nature, quickened by th' infpiring ray, f 

Wakes to new vigour with the rifing day. 3 

O thou, who freeft me from my doubtful ftate. 
Long loft and wilder'd in the maze of Fate ! 
Be prefent ftill, oh Goddefs 1 in our aid ; ^^o 

Proceed, and firm thofe omens thou haft made. 
We to thy name our annual rites vnll pay. 
And on thy altars facrifices lay j 



The 



Defixus fenior, divina oracula Phoebi 
Agnofcens, monitufque datos vocalibus antris. 
Obtutti gclida ore permit, laetufque per artus 
Horror iit. fenfit manifefto numine du(5los 
AfFore, quos nexis ambagibus augur Apollo 
Portendi generos, vultu fallente ferarum, 
Ediderat. tunc fie tendens ad fidera palmas : - 
Nox, quae terrarum coelique amplexa labores 
Ignea multivao-o tnmfinittis fidera lapfu, 
Indulgen' lum, dum proximus aegris 

Infunda' lantibus oitus, 

Tu mihi erroribus yltro 



580 



\ 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 309 

The fable flock fhall fall beneath the ftroke, 
*"And fill thy temples with a grateful fmoke. 595 

Hail, faithful Tripos ! hail, ye dark abodes 
Of awful Phoebus : I confefs the Gods ! 

Thus, feiz'd with facred fear, the monarch pray'd 5 
Then to his inner court the guefts conveyM : 
Where yet thin fumes from dying fparks arife, 600 
And duft yet white upon each' altar lies. 
The relics of a foniier facrifice. 
The king once more the folemn rites requires. 
And bids renew the feafts, and wake the fiits. 
His train obey, y^hile all the courts around 605 

With noify care and various tumult found. 
Embroidered purple clothes the golden beds 5 
This flave the floor, and that the table fpreads ; 

A third 

Advehis alma fldem, veterifque exordia fati 
Detegis, aiilflas open, tuaque omina firmes ! 
Semper honoratam dimenfis orbibus anni 
Te domus ifta colet : nigri tibi. Diva, litabunt 
Ele6la fervice greges, luftraliaque exta 
La£^e nova perfufus edet Vulcanius ignis. 595 

Salve, prifca fldes tripodum, obfcurique receflus i 
Deprendi, Fortuna, deos. fic fatus ; et ambos 
Inne^ens manibus, te6la ulterioris ad aulae 
Frogreditur. canis etiamnum altaribus ignes, 600 

Sopitum cinerem, et tepidi libamina facri 
Servabant ; adolere focos, epulafque recentes 
Jnftaurare jubet. didis parere miniftri 60^ 

Certatim accelerant, vario ftrepit\^t^a:coxi^^^a^ 



510 P O P E'S P O E M 8. 

A third difpcls the darknefs of the night. 

And fills depending lamps with beams of light | 610 

Here loaves in caniilers are pil'd on high. 

And there in flames the flaughter'd vif^ims fly. 

Sublime in regal ilate Adi-ailus fhone, 

Stretched on rich carpets on his ivory throne j 

A lofty couch receives each princely gueft j 615 

Around at awful diitance wait the reft. 

And now the king, his royal feaft to grace, 
Aceftis calls, the guardian of his race. 
Who firft their youth in arts of virtue ti*am*d. 
And their ripe years in modeft grace maintain^. 620 
Then foftly whifperM in her faithful ear. 
And bade his daughters at the rites appear. 

When 

Regia : pars oftro tenues, auroque fonantes 

Emunire toros, altofque inferre tapetas $ 

Pars terctes levare mami, ac difponere menfas : 

Aft alii tcnebras et opacam vincere no6^em 610 

Aggreffi, tcndunt auratis vincula lychnis. 

His labor inferto torrere exanguia ferro 

Vifcera caefanim pecudum ; his, cumulare caniftris 

Perdomitam faxo Cererem. laetatur Adraftus 

Obfequio ferverc domum. jamque ipfe fuperbis 

Fulgebat ftratis, folioque eflFiiltus ebumo. 

Parte alia Juvenes ficcati vulnera lymphis 615 

Difcumbu* *ra notis foedata tucntur, 

Inque vi ►xmc rex longacvus AceAen 

(Natarui ti et fidiifima cuftos 620 

Le6la fac mltare pudorem) 



Book I. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 3^1 

When, from the clofe apartments of the night, 

The royal Nymphs approach divinely bright 5 

Such was Diana's, fuch Minerva's face ; 625 

Nor fhine theii* beauties with fuperior grace, 

But that in thefe a milder charm endears. 

And lefs of teiTor in their looks appeal's. 

As on the heroes firft they caft their eyes. 

O'er their fair cheeks the glowing bluflies rife, 630 

Their downcaft looks a decent Ihame confefs'd. 

Then on their father's reverend features reft. 

The banquet done, the monarch gives the fign 
To fill the goblet high with fparkling wine. 
Which Danaus us'd in facred rites of old, 655 

With fculpture gracM, and rough with rifmg gold. 

Here 

Imperiat acciri, tacitaque immurmurat aure. 
Nee mora praeceptis ; cum protinus utraque virgo 
Arcano egreifae thalamo (mirabile vifu) 
Pallados armifonae, pharetrataeque ora Dianae 615 
Acqua ferunt, teiTore minus, nova deinde pudori 
Vifa virum facies : pariter, pallorque, luborque 
Purpureas haufere genas : oculique verentes 
Ad fanfliun rediere patrem. Poftquam ordine menfae 
Vifta fames, fignis peife&m auroque nitentem 
lafides pateram famulos ex more popofcit. 
Qua Danaiis libare deia feniorque Phoroneus 635 

AfTueti. tenet haec operum caelata figuras : 
Aureus anguicomam pruefefto Gorgpna coUo 
Ales habet. jam jamque vagas (ita vifus) in auras 
X4 



511 p O P E'S P O E M S. 

Here to the clouds viftorious Pcifeus flies, ^ 

Medufa feems to move her languid eyes, > 

And, ev'n in gold, turns paler as (he dies. ) 

There from the chace Jove's towering eagle bears, 640 

On golden wings, the Phrygian to the ftars : 

Still as he rifes in th' ctherial height. 

His native mountains leffen to his fight ; 

While all his fad companions upward gaze, 

Fix*d on the glorious fcene in wild amaze ; 645 

And the fwift hounds, affi'ighted as he flies. 

Run to the (hade, and bark againft the ikies. 

This golden bowl with generous juice was crown'd, 
The firft libation fprinkled on the gix)und : 
By turns on each celeftial power they call 5 650 

With Phoebus' name refounds the vaulted hall. 
The courtly train, the ftrangers, and the reft, 
Crown'd with chafte laurel, and with garlands drefs'd, 

While 

Exilit : ilia graves oculos, languentiaque era 

Pcne movet, vivoque etiam pallefcit in auro. 

Hinc Phrygius fulvis venator toUitur alis : 640 

Gargara defidunt furgenti, et Troja recedit. 

Stant moefti comites, fruftraque fonantia laxant 

Ora canes, umbramque petunt, et nubila latrant. 645 

Hanc undante mero fundens, vocat ordine cunftos 
Coelicolas : Phoebum ante alios, Phoebum omnis ad 

aras 
Laude cict comitum, famulumque, evinfta pudica 
Fronde, manus : cui fefta dies, largoque refefli 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 313 

"While with rich gums the fuming altars blaze, 

Salute the God in numerous hymns of praife. 655 

Then thus the King: Perhaps, my noble guefts, 
Thefe honoured altars, and thefe annual feafts 
To bright Apollo's awful name defign'd. 
Unknown, with wonder may perplex your mind. 
Great was the caufe ; our old folemnities 660 

From no blind zeal or fond tradition rife ; 
But, favM from death, our Argives yearly pay 
Thefe grateful honours to the God of Day. 

When by a thoufand darts'the Python flain 
With orbs unroU'd lay covering all the plain, 665 

(Transfix'd as o'er Caftalia's ftreams he hung. 
And fuck'd new poifons with his triple tongue) 

To 

Thure vaporatis lucent altaribus ignes. 655 

Foriitan, 6 juvenes, quae fmt ea facra, quibufque 
Praecipuum caufis Phoebi obteftemur honorem^ 
Rex ait, exquirunt animi. non infcia fuafit 
Relligio : magnis exercita cls^ibu^ olim 660 

Plebs Argiva litant : animos advertite, pandam : 
Poftquam coerulei ilnuofa voliunina monibi, 
Terrigenam Pythona, deus feptem orbibus atris 
Amplexum Delphos, fquamifque annofa terentem 
Robora j Caftaliis dum fontibus ore trifulco 
Fufus hiat, nigro il^ens alimenta veneno, 
Perculit, abfUmptis numcrofa in vulnera telis, 
Cyrrhaeique dedit centum per jugera campi 
Vix tandem explicitum j nova deinde piacvla caedi 



314 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

To Argos" realms the viftor god reforts. 

And enters old Crotopus' humble courts. 

This rural prince one only daughter blefs^d, 670 

That all the charms of blooming youth poflefs'd 5 

Fair was her face, and fpotlefs was her mind. 

Where filial love with virgin fweetnefs joined. 

Happy ! and happy ftill fhe might have proved. 

Were fhe Icfs beautiful, or lefs bclov'd ! 675 

But Phoebus lovM, and on the flowery fide 

Of Nemea's ftream the yielding Fair en joy 'd : 

Now, ere ten moons their orb with light adoniy 

Th' illuftrious offspring of the God was bom. 

The Nymph, her father's anger to evade, 6S0 

Retires from Argos to the fylvan (hade 5 

To woods and wilds the pleafmg burden beai*s. 

And trufts her infant to a fhephei-d's cares. 

How 

Perquirens, noftri tefta baud opulenta Crotopt 
Attigit. huic primis, et pubem ineuntibus annis^ 670 
Mira decore pio, fervabat nata penates 
Intemerata tons, felix, fi Delia nunquam 
Furta, nee occultum Phoebo fociaffet amoi-era. 
Namque ut paifa deum Nemeaei ad fluminis undam. 
Bis quinos plena cum fronte refumeret oi-bes 
Cynthia, fidereum Latonae foeta nepotem 
Edidit : ac poenae metuens (neque enim ille coa6lit 
DonafTet tlialamis veniam pater) avia i-ura 
Eligit : ac natum fepta inter ovilia furtim 
Montivago pecoris cufbodi mandat alendum. 



\ 

6903 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 31-5 

How mean a fate, unhappy child ! is thine ! 
Ah how unworthy thofe of race divine ! 685 

On flowery herbs in fome green covert laid. 
His bed the ground, his canopy the (hade. 
He mixes with the bleeting lambs his cries, 
While the rude fwain his i*ural muiic tries, 
. To call foft flumbers on his infant eyes. 
Yet ev'n in thofe obfcure abodes to live. 
Was more, alad ! than cruel fate would give 5 
For on the graffy verdure as he lay. 
And breath'd the freftinefs of the early day. 
Devouring dogs the helplefs infant tore, 695 

Fed on his trembling limbs, and lappM the gore. 
Th** aftonifliM mother, when the rumour came. 
Forgets her father, and negle£ls her fame, 
With loud complaints fhe fills the yielding air* 
And beat9 her breaft, and rends her flowing hair,; 700 

Then 

Non tibi digna, puer, generis cunabula tanti 685 
Gramineos dedit herba toros, et vimine querno 
Texta domus : claufa arbutei fub cortice libri 
Membra tepent, fuadetque leves cava flflula fbmnos* 
£t pecori commune folum. fed fata nee ilium 
Concefl*ere larem : viridi nam cefpite terrae 
Projeftum temere, et patulo. coelum ore trahcntem, 
Dira canum rabies morfu depafta cruento 655 

Disjicit. Hie vero attonitas ut nuntius aures 
Matris adit, pulfi ex animo genitorque, pudorque, 
£t metus : ipfa ultro faevis plangoribus amens 
Tcfta replet, vacuumque ferens velamine ^e£b>.% 1^^ 



3i6 P O P E*S P O E M S. 

Then wild with anguifh to her fire flic flics, 
Peinands theTentence, and contented dies. 

But, touch'd with forrow for the dead too late. 
The rcging God prepares t' avenge her fate. 
He fends a mbnftcr, horrible and fell, 705 

Begot by fiirlcs in the depths of hell. 
The pell a virgin's face and bofom bears j 
Kigh on a crown a rifing fnake appears. 
Guards her black front, and hifles in her hairs : 
About the realm (he walks her dreadful round, 710 
When Night with fable wings o^erfpreads the ground, 
Devours young babes before their parents eyes. 
And feeds and thrives on public miferies. 

£uc generous rage the bold Choroebus ^nrarms, 
Choroebus, fsmM for virtue, as for arms ; 71$ 

Som. few like him, infpir'd with martial flame. 
Thought a ihort life well loft for endlefs fame. 

Thefe, 

Occurrit confeffa patri. nee motus, at ati'o 
Imperat, infandum ! cupientem occumbere leto. 

Sero meraor thalami, moeftae folatia morti, 
Phoebe, paras, monflrum infandis Acheron te fub imo 
Conceptum Eumenidum thalamis, cui virginis era 
Pefloraque, actemum ftrldens a vertice (ur^t 
Et ferrugineam frontem difcriminat anguis : 
Hacc tarn dira lues noftumo fquallida palTu 710 

Illabi thalamis, animafque a ftirpe rccentcs 
Abripcre altricum greroiis, morfuque cruento 
Dcvcfci, ct multum patiio pingucfcere luflu. 

Haud tulit armorum praeftans animique Choroebus; 
Scque "^is juvenuno, qui robore primi 71^ 



( 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 317 

Thefc, where two ways in equal parts divide. 

The direful monfter from afar defcry'd j 

Two bleeding babes depending at her fide, 720 

Whofe panting vitals, warm with life, (he draws. 

And in their heaits embnies her cruel claws. 

The youths furround her with extended fpears j 

But brave Choroebus in the front appears, 

Deep in her bread he plung'd his fhining fword, 725 

And helps dire monfter back to hell reftorM. 

Th* Inachians view the (lain vrith vaft furprize. 

Her twifting volumes, and her rolling eyes. 

Her fpotted breaft, and gaping womb embruM 

With livid poifon, and our childrens blood. 730 

The croud in (hipid wonder fix'd appear. 

Pale ev'n in joy, nor yet forget tp fear, 

' Some 

Famam pofthabita faciles extendere vita, 

Obtulit. ilia novos ibat populata penates 

Portarum in bivio. lateri duo corpora parvum 710 

Dependent, et jam unca manus vitalibus haeret, 

Ferratique ungues tenero fub corde tepefcunt. 

Obvius huic latus omne virum ftipante corona. 

It juvenis, ferrumque ingens fub pe^lore'diro 725 

Condidit; atque imas animae mucrone corufco 

Scrutatus latebras, tandem fua monftra profundo 

Reddit habere Jovi. juvat ire, et vifere juxta 

Liventes in morte oculos, uterique nefandam 

Proluviem, et craflb fquallentia pe£(ora tabo, 

Q^a npftrae cecidere animae. ftupet Inacha pubes, 730 



3i8 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

Same with vaft beams the fqualid corpfe engage. 

And weary all the wild efforts of rage. 

The birds obfcene, that nightly flock'd to tafte, 735 

With hollow fcreechcs fled the dire repaft j 

And ravenous dogs, allur'd by fcented blood. 

And ftarving wolves ran howling to the wood. 

But, fir'd with rage, from cleft Pamaffus' brow 1 
Avenging Phoebus bent his deadly bow, y^ > 

And hifling flew the feathered fates below s J 

A night of fultry clouds involved around 
The towers, the fields, and the devoted gi'ound : 
And now a thoufand lives together fled, 1 

Death with his fcythe cut oif the fatal thread, 745 > 
And a whole province in his triumph led. J 

But 



Magnaque poll lacrymas etiamnum gaudia palient. 
Hi trabibus duris, folatia vana dolori, 
Proterere exanimes artus, afprofque molares 
Deculcare genis ; nequit iram explere poteflas. 
lUam et nofturno circum fbridore volantes yjr 

Impaftae fugiftis aves, rabidamque canum vim, 
Oraque ficca fenint trepidorum inhiafle luporum. 

Saevior in miferos fatis ultricis ademptae 
Delius infurgit, fummaque biverticis umbra 740 

Pamafn refidens, arcu crudelis iniquo 
Peftifera arma jacit, campoique, et celfa Cyclopum 
Tefta fuperje^ko nebularum incendit ami6hi. 
Labuntur dulces animae : Mors fila foronim 
£nfe metit, captamque tenens fert manibus urbem* 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATIUS. 31^ 

But Phoebus, afkM why noxious fires appear. 
And raging Sirius blafts the fickly year 5 
Demands their lives by whom his monfter fell. 
And dooms a dreadful facrifice to hell. 750 

Bleft be thy duft, and let eternal fame 
Attend thy Manes, and preferve thy name. 
Undaunted hero ! who, divinely brave. 
In fuch a caufe difdain'd thy life to fave 5 
But view'd the (hrine with a fuperior look, 755 

And its upbraided Godhead thus beipoke x 

With piety, the foul's fecureft guard. 
And conlcious virtue, (HU its own reward. 
Willing I come, unknowing how to fear j 
Nor ihalt thou, Phoebus, find a fuppliant here. 769 
Thy monfter*8 death to me was ow'd alone. 
And tis a deed too glorious to difown. 

Behold 

Quaerenti quae cau^ duci, quis ab aethere laevus 
I^s, et in totum regnaret Sirius annum ! 
Idem autor Pasan rurfus jubet ii-e cniento 
Infejrias monftro juvenes, qui caedi potiti. 750 

Fortunate animi, longumque in faecula digne 
Promeriture diem ! non tu pia degener anna 
Occulis, aut certae trqpidas occurrere morti. 
Cominus ora ferens, Cynhaei in limine tempU 75^ 
Conftitit, et faci-as ita vocibus afperat ii'as : 

Non miffus, Thymbraee, tuos fupplexve penatet 
Advenio : mea me pietas, et confcia villus 
Has egere vias. ego fum qui caede fubegi, 
Phoebe, tuum mortale nefas 3 quern nubibu^ "^Xr^.^^ 



jio P O P ES P O E M S. 

Behold him here, for whom, fo many days, 

Impei-vious clouds concealM thy fullen rays | 

For whom, as Man no longer claimed thy care, 765 

Such numbers fell by peiUlential air I 

But if th* abandoned race of human kinds 

From Gods above no more companion find j 

If fuch inclemency in Heaven can dwell. 

Yet why muft unoffending Argos feel 770 

The vengeance due to this unlucky fteel ? 

On me, on me, let all thy fury fall. 

Nor err from me, fmce I deferve it all : 

Unlefs our defert cities pleafe thy fight. 

Or funeral flames reflect a grateful light. 775 

Difcharge thy ihafts, this ready bofom rend. 

And to the fh^ides a ghoft triumphant fend j 

But 

Et fquallente die, nigra quem tabe finiftri 
Quaeris, inique, poli. quod fi monftra efFci-a magnis 
Cara adeo Superis, jafturaque vilior orbis, 766 

Mors hominum, et faevo tanta inclementia coelo eft ; 
Quid meruere Ai*gi ? me, me, divum optime, fblum 
ObjeciiTe caput fatis praeftabit, an illud 
Lene magis cordi, quod defolata domorum 
Tefta vides ? ignique datis cultoribus omnia 
Lucet ager ? fed quid fando tua tela manufque 
Demoror ! cxpeftant mati'es, fupremaque fundxmt 
Vota mihi. fatis eft : merui, ne parcere velles- 776 

Proinde move pharetras, arcufque intende fonoros, 
Infignemque animam leto demitte : fed ilium 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATTUS. 311 

But forriny country let my fate atone. 

Be mine the vengeance, as the crime my own. 

Merit difti-efsM, impartial Heaven relieves : 780 

Unwelcome life relenting Phoebus gives j 
For not the vengeful power, that glowM with rage, 
"With fuch amazing virtue durft engage. 
The clouds difpers'd, Apollo's wrath expired. 
And from the wondering God th' unwilling youth re- 
tir'd. ' 785 

Thence we thefe altars in his temple raife, 
And offer annual honours, feafts, and praife \ 
Thofe folemn feafts propitious Phoebus^ pleafe : 
Thefe honours, ftill renewM, his ancient wi-ath a}^eai^. 
But fay, illuftriousgueft! (adjoinM the King) 790 
What name you bear, from what high race you fpring ? 

The 

Pallidus Inachiis qui defuper inmiinet Argis, 
Dum morior, depelle globum. Fors aequa merentes 
Refpicit. ardentem tenuit reverentia caedis 7 So 

Latoidem, triftemque viro fummifliis honorem 
Xargitur vitae. noftro mala nubila coelo 
Diffugiunt ; at tu ftupefadU a limine Phoebi 
Exoratus abis. inde haec ftala (acra quotannis 
Solennes recolunt epulae, :Fhoebeiaqueplacat 
Templa novatus honos. hs^ forte inviiitis aras. 
Vos quae progenies ? quanquam Calydomus Oeneus, 
£t Parthaoniae (dudum fi certus ad aures 791 

Clanior iit) tibi jura domus : - tu pande quis Argos 
Advenias ^.qua^dQ ha^c yariis fermonibus hora eft. 
Vol. I. Y 



ja» PO FE'S P O E M S. 

The noble Tydeus ftands confefsM, and known 
Our neighbour Prince, and heir of Calydon. 
Relate your fortunes, while the friendly night 
And filent hours to various talk invite. . 

Th« Theban bends on earth his gloomy eyes j 
Confus'd and fadly thus at length replies : 
Before thefe altars how (hail I proclaim 
(Oh generous prince) my nation, or my name. 
Or through what veins our ancient blood has rolPd ? 
Let the fad tale for ever reft untold! 
Yet if, propitious to a wretch unknown. 
You feek to ihare in forrows not your own 5 
ICnow then, from Cadmus I derive my race, 
Jocafta^s fon, an4 Thebes my native place. ] 

Xo whom the King (who felt his generous breaft 
Touched with concern for his unhappy gueft) 
Replies $— Ah why forbears the fon to name 
Ilis wretch^ father, known too well by fBoat ? 

Far 

Dejeoit mo^ftos extemplo Ifmenius heros 
In terram vultus, taciteque ad Tydea laefvm 
Obliquaiie oculos. turn longa iUentia movit : 
Non fuper hos divum tibi fum. quarerendtis honorea 
Unde genus, quae terra mihi : quis defluat orde 
Sar.guinis antiqui, piget inter facra fateri. 
Sed d praecipitant miferom cognofcere eurae, 
Cadmus origo patrum, tellus Mavortia Thebae, 
Kt gcnetrix Jocafta mi^i- turn metus Adralbia | 

Ilofpitiis (agnovit enim) q^uld ii»ta nMfiAduL? 



Bookl. THfiBAIS OF STATIUS. 323 

Fame, that deliglits aroUnd the woild to ftny^ 810 

Scorns not to take our Argos in her wa)r. 

Ev'n thofe who dwell where funs at diftance roll. 

In -northern wilds, and freeze beneath the pole; 

And thofe who tread the burning Libyan lands^ 

The faithlcfs Syrtesy and the mortng (ands ; 1 1 5 

Who view the weftem iea*8 extremeft boundB, 

Or drink of Ganges in their eaftern grounds | 

AH thefe the woes of Oedipus haye known, 

Yourfates> your furies, and your haunttd town* 

If on the ions the parents* crimes defcend, Sto 

What Prince from thoie his lineage can defend l 

Be this thy comfort, that ^Us thine t* effiice 

With virtuous a£ls thy anceftor^s difgrace. 

And be thyCelf the honovr of thy rai^e. 

But fee ! the ftai-s begisk tO fteal away, 125 

And (hine more faintly at approaching day. 

Now 

•r i II I II III ii.ii I 

Samus, ait: ne<^ £c averfumiBuaaMycenis Sro 

Volvit iter, regnum, et funas» oculoique pudentt s 
Novitgi et Ar6to&8 & quia de folibus horret, 
Quique bibit Gaagen, aut nigrum occafibus intrat 
Oceanum, et fi quos inoerto Iktore Syrtes %t^ 

Dcftituuntt ne perge queri, cafufque prionim 
Annumerare tibi. aoftro <yaoque £uiguiB« sbuktnn. 
Erravit pietas ; nac cul|>a- nq^bus obftat. 820 

Tu modo diflittitU rebiu.&iefeaFe iecundis 
Exakiar^ tuos. Sed jam tenoootf fi^ptno 
Xanguet HyperboKie glacitJis^ortitor uri^e. .. las 
Funittt« vifta £9<;«»s femboKi^nui^e ^witni^m . 
' Y a 



^24 P O P E ' & P O E M S. 

Now pour the wine 5 and in your tuneful laya 
Once more refound the great Apollo* s praife. 
Oh father Phoebus ! whether Lycia's coaft 
And fnowy mountains thy bright prefence boaft; 830 
Whether to fweet Caftalia thou repair. 
And bathe in fdver dews thy yellow hair; 
Or, pleas-d to find fair Delos float no more. 
Delight iu Cynthus, and the fhady Ihore ; 
Or chufe thy feat in Ilion*s proud abodes, 1^5 

The fhining fhiiAures rais'd by labouring G€>ds : 
By thee the bow and mortal ihafts are borne ; 
Eternal charms thy blooming youth adcnm : 
Skiird in the laws of fecret fate above. 
And the dark counfels of almighty Jove, Sio 

"Tis thine the feeds of future war to know^. 
The change of fceptres, and impending woe; 

When 

Latoiden votis iterumque iterumque canamus. 

Phoebe parens, feu te Lyciae Pataraea nivofi« 
Exercent dumeta jugis, feu rore pudico 8»o 

Caftaliae fiavos amor eft tibi mergere crines j 
Seu Trojam Thymbracus habcs, ubi fiuna volentem 
Ingratis Phrygios humeris fubiifle molares : 
:Seu juvat Aegaeum feriens Latonius umbra 
Cynthus, ct afliduam pelago non quaerere Delon : J;? 
Tela tibi, longeque feros lentandus in hofles 
Arcus, et aetherii dono ccfiere parentes 
Aetcrnum florere genas. tu do^his iniquas 
ParcQrum praengiTe minas, fatumque quod ultra efl, 
^£t fummo placitura Jovi. quis letifer annus, S40 

Bella quibi»s p<^uli$i mutent quae fceptra comctac. 



Bookl. THEBAIS OF STATrtJS. iT,$ 

When direful meteors fpi*ead through glowing air 

Long trails of light, and (hake their blazing hair. 

Thy rage the Phrygian felt, who durft afpire ^45 

T' excel -the mufic of thy heavenly lyre ; 

Tiiy ihafts aveng'd lewd Tityus' guilty flame j 

Th' immortal vi6lim of thy mother^s fame. > 

Thy hand flew Python, jind the dame who loft 

H^r nun^erous offspring for a fatal boaft. 850 

In Phlegya's doom thy juft revenge appeal's, 

Condemned to furies and eternal feai's ; 

He views his food, but dreads, with lifted eye. 

The mouldering rock that trembles from on high. 

Propitious hear our prayer, O Power divine ! 855 
And on thy hofpitable Argos (hine. 
Whether the ftyle of Titan pleafe thee more, 
Whofe purple rays th' Achaemenes adore ; 
Or great Ofiris, who firft taught the fwain 
In Pharian fields to fow the golden grain i 860 

Or 

Tu Phryga fubmlttis citharae. tu matiis honori S45 
Terrigenam Tityon Stygiis extendis arenis* 
Te viridis Python, Thebanaque mater ovantem, 
Horruit in pharetris. ultrix tibi torva Megaera 850 

Jejunum Phlegyam fubter cava faxa jacentem 
Aetemo premit accubitu, dapibufque profanis 
Inftimulat : fed mifta famem faftidia vincunt. 
Adfis o memor hofpitii, Junoniaque arva 855 

Dexter ames ; feu te rofeum Titana vocari 
. Gentis Achaemeniae ritu, feu praeftat Ofirin 
Y3 



32($ P O PE'S P OE M S. 

Or Mitra, to whofc beams the Periian bows» 
And pays, in hollow rocfcs, his awful vows; 
Jvlitra, whofc head the blaze of light adorns. 
Who grafps the ftiuggliog hcifer^s lunar horns* 

Frugiferum, feu Perfei fub rupibus antri 
I^dignata fequi torquentera comua Mitraxn* 



THE 



[ 117 1 

THE 

FABLE 

O F 

D R Y O P E. 

From Ovid's Metamorphosis, Book DC. 

Q HE faid, and for her loft Galauthis fighs, 

*^ When the fair Confort of her fon replies : 

Since you a fervant's i-avifli'd form bemoan. 

And kindly figh for forrows not your own { 

Let me (if tears and grief permit) relate 5 

A nearer woe, a fifter's ftrang6r fate. 

No Nymph of all Oechalia could compai*e 

For beauteous form with Diyope the fair> 

Her tender mother's only hope and pridcj 

(Myfelf the oflFspring (rf a fecond bride) 10 

This Nymph comprefs'd by him who rules the 4ay, 

Whom Delphi and die Delian ifle obey, 

Andrxmon 



D 



^ I X I T : et, admonitu veteris commota «iini(hae, 
Ingemuit J quam fic nunis eft adfata dolentem : 
Te tamen, o genitrix, alienae fanguine veftro 
Rapta movet facies. quid fi tibi mira fororis 
Fata meae refei-am ? quanquam lacrymaeque dolorquc 
Impediunt, prohibentque loqui. fuit unica maU'i 
(Me pater ex alia genuit) notiffima forma so 

Y4 



328 POP U'S POEMS. 

Andraemon lov'd ; and, blefs'd in all thofe charms 
That pleas'd a God, fucceeded to her arms. 

A lake there was, with (helving banks around, 15 
Whofe verdant fummit fragrant myrtles crown'd. 
Thefe fhades, unknowing of the fates, (he fought. 
And to the Naiads flowery gailands brought; 
Her fmiling babe (a pleafing charge) (he preft 
Within her anus, and nourifh'd at her brea(t. ao 

Not diftant far, a watery Lotos grows. 
The fpring was new, and all the verdant boughs, 
Adorn'd with bloflfoms, promised fruits that vie 
In glowing colours with the Tynan dye : 
Cf thefe (he cropped to pleafe her infant fon, 2$ 

And I myfelf the fame ra(h aft had done : 
But lo ! I faw (as near her (ide I ftood) 
The violated bloflbms drop with blood. 

Upon 

Oechalidum Dryope : quam virginitate carentem, 

Vimque Dei pafTam, Dclphos Delonque tenentis, 

Exclpit Andraemon ; ct habetur conjuge felix. 

Eft lacus, acclivi devexo margine forraam 15 

Littoris efficiens : fummiim myrteta coronant. 

Vencrat hue Dryope fatorum nefcia ; quoque 

Ind!2n:iere magis, Nymphis latura coronas. 

In que finu puerum, qui nondum impleverat annum, 

Dulce ferebat onus 5 tepidique ope laftis alebat. 20 

Haud procul a ftagno, Tyrios imitata colores, 

■^n fpcm baccarum florebat aquatica lotos. 

■pferat hinp Dryope, quos obleftamina nato «5 

rJgcrctj flores; et idemfc^^Aii^Vv^t^Q^s 



FABLE OF DRYOPE. 329 

trpon the tree I caft a frightful look ; 

The trembling tree with fudden horror fliook. 30 

Lotis the nymph (if rural tales be true) 

As from Priapus' lawlefs luft Ihe flew, 

Forfook her form ; and fixing here became 

'A flowery plant, which ftill preferves her name. 

This change unknown, aflionifti'd at the fight, * 35 
My trembling fifter flirove to urge her flight : 
And firft the pardon of the nymphs implor'd, 
And thofe offended fylvan powers ador'd ; 
But when fhe backward would have fled, Ihe found 
Her ftiffening feet were rooted in the ground : 40 

In vain to free her faften'd feet fhe ftrove, 
And, as ihe ftruggles, only moves above 5 
She feels th' encroaching bark around her grow 
By quick degrees, and cover all below : 

Surpriz'd 

Namque aderam. vidi guttas e floi^e cruentas 
Decidei-e; et tremulo ramos horrore moveri. 30 

Scilicet, ut referunt tardi nunc dent^ue agreftes, 
Lotis in hanc Nymphe, fugiens obfcoena Priapi, 
Contulerat verfos, feiTato nomine, vultus. 

Nefcierat foror hoc j quae cuip, perterrita retro 35 
Ire, et adoratis vellet difcedere Nymphis, 
Haeferunt radice pedes, convellere pugnat : 40 

Nee quidquam, nifi fumma, movet. fuccrefcit ab imo. 
Totaque paulatim lentus premit inguina cortex. 
Ut vidit, conata manu laniare capillos. 



330 P O P £*6 P O £ M S. 

SurprizM at this, her trembling hand (he heaves 4; 
To rend her hair j her hand is filled with leaves : 
Where late was hair, the ihooting leaves are ieen 
To rife, and ihade her with a fudden green. 
The child Amphiflus, to her hofom piefs'd. 
Perceived a colder and a harder breaft» 50 

And found the fpiings, that ne'er till then deny^d 
Their milky moiihire, on a fudden dry'd. 
I faw, unhappy ! what I now relate. 
And flood the helplefs witnefs of thy fate, 
Embraced thy boughs, thy rifing bark delay*d> 55 

There wi/h'd to grow, and mingle ihade with ihade. 

Behold Andraemon and th* unhappy iire 
Appear, and for their Dryope enquire | 
A fpringing tree for Diyope they find. 
And print warm kiifes on the panting rind. 6e 

Proftraie, 

Fronde manum implevit : frondes caput omne tene- 
bant, 4^ 

At puer AmphifTos (namque hoc avus Eurytus illi 
AddiJerat nomen) materna rigefcere fentit 
Ubera : nee feqiiitiir ducentcm lafleus humor. 5s 

£pe6latrix aderam fati crudelis ; opemque 
Hon poteram tibi ferre, foror : quantumque valebam, 
Crefcentem ti-uncum ramofquc amplexa, morabar: 55 
lEt (fateor) volui fub eodem cortice condi. 
Ecce vir Andraemon, genitorque miferrimus, adiunt; 
Et quaerunt Dryopem ; Dryopen quaerendbus illis 
O/Jendf loton. tcpido daitvto£c>3X'aLV\^<ft^ 60 



FABLE OF DRYOPE. 331 

Proftrate, with tears their kindred plant bedew» 

And clofe embrace zs to the roots they grew. 

3[tie face was all that now remained of thee. 

No more a woman) nor yet quite a tree i 

Thy branches hung with humid pearls appear^ 65 

From every leaf diftils a trickling tear. 

And ftrait a voke, while yet a voice remains, 

Thus through the trembling boughs in figlis complains : 

If to the wretched any faith be given, 
I fwear by all th' unpitying powers of Heaven, 70 

No wilful crime this heavy vengeance bred $ 
In mutual innocence our lives we led : 
If this be falfe, let thefe new greens d^oay. 
Let founding axes lop my limbs away. 
And ci*ackling flames on all my honours prey. 
But from my branching arms this infant bear. 
Let fome kind nurfe fupply a mother^s care t 

. And 

Adfiifique fuae radicibus aiboris haercnt. 

Mil nifi jam facicm, quod non foret arbor, habdiat. 

Cara foror, lacrymae verfo de corpore faftis 

Irrorant foliis : ac, dum licet, oraque praeftant 65 

Vocis iter, tales effundit in aera queftus. 

Si qua fides miieris, hoc me per numina jinro 

Non meruifCs nefas. patior fine crimlne poenasn* 70 

Viximus innocuae : fi mentior, arida perdam, 

Quas habeo, frondes ; et caefa fecuribus urar. 7| 

Hunc tamen infantem matemis demite rateis, 

£t date nutrici ; noftraque fub aibora £ae^ 

Zac facitote bibat^ nofiraque Tub asbore VadaiX* 



J 



t 334 3 

VERTUMNUS 

AND 

POMONA. 

From Ovid's Metamorphosis, Book XIV. 

. 'np H £ fair Pomona flouriih''d in his reign ; 
-■• Of all the Virgins of the fylvan train. 
None taught the trees a nobler race to bear. 
Or more improved the vegetable care. 
To her the Ihady grove, the flowery field, 5 

The ftreams' and fountains, no delights could yield ^ 
'Twas all her joy the ripening fruits to tend. 
And fee the boughs with happy burthens bend. 
The hook ihe bore inftead of Cynthia's fpeai'. 
To lop the growth of the luxuriant yeai-, 10 

To decent form the lawlefs fhoots to bring. 
And teach th' obedient branches where to fprino*. 

Now 

TJ E G E fub hoc Pomona fuit : qua nulla Latinas 
•*-^ Inter Hamadryadas coluit folertius hoitos. 
Nee fuit aiborci ftudiofior altera foetus : 
Unde tenet nomcn. non fylvas ilia, nee amnes j 5 

Rus amat, et ramos felicia poir.a ferentes. 
Nee jaculo gravis eft, fed adunca dextera fake : 10 

Qua modo luxuriem premit, et fpatiantia pafRm 
Brachh. compefclt •, 'Ma rcvo«\o coxutt n vc^g«a 
Infcrit; et fuccos aUeivo ^v^t^^^t ^>^w\xv^» 



VERTUMNUS AND POMOliA. 335 

Now the dleft rind infeited gi*afFs receives, 
And yields an offspring more than nature gives ; 
Now Aiding ftreams the thirfty plants renew, 15 

And feed- Aeir fibres with reviving dew. 

Theft cares alone her virgin breaft employ, 
Avcric from Venus and the nuptial joy. 
Hbt private orchards, wail'd on every fide. 
To lawlefs fylvans all accefs deny*d. id 

How oft the Satyrs and the wanton Fawns, 
Who haunt the forefts, or frequent the lawns. 
The God whofe enlign fcares the birds of prey. 
And old Siknus, youthful In decay, 
Employed their wiles and unavailing care, 25 

To pafii the fences, and furprize the fair ? 
Like thcfe, Vertumnus own'd his. faithful flame, 
Like thefe, rej«6led by the fcornful dame. 

To 

Nec patitur ftnti|>e fitim ; bibulaeque recurvas 1 5^ 

Radicis fibras labentibys irrigat undis. 

Hie amor, hoc ftudium : Veneris quoque nulla cupido» 

Vim tamen Bgreftum metuens, pomai4a claudit 

Intus^ et accefliis prohibet refugitque viriles. zA 

Quid non cA Satyri, faltatibus apta juventus, 

Fecere,^ et pinu praecinf^i comua Panes, 

SylvanufqueTuis femper juvenilior annis. 

Oblique Dcus fures, vel fake, vel inguine terret, 

Ut potirentur ea ? fed enim fuperabat amando 2 £ 

Hos quoque Vertlhnnus : neque erat felidoi *\\Vv^. 

O quoties habitti duri meflbris ariftas 

€Me tulit, vexiquc fuitmeflbris imago \ . 



336 P O P E'S P O E M S. 

To gain her fight si thoufand forms he wears : 
And firft a reaper from the field appears. 
Sweating he walks, while loads of golden grain 
Overcharge the (houlders of the fecming Twain. 
Oft o'er his back a crooked fcythe is laid, 
And wreaths of hay his fun-burnt temples fliade : 
Oft in his harden^ hand a goad he bears, 
L'k.e one who late unyoak'd the fweating fteers. 
Sometimes his pnining-hook corrects the vines. 
And the loofe ftragglers to their ranks confines. 
Now gatheiing what the bounteous year allows. 
He pulls ripe apples from the bending boughs. 
A foldier now, he with his fword appears i 
A flfher next, his trembling angle beai's j 
Back Ihape he varies, and each art he tries. 
On her bright charms to feaft his longing eyes. 

A female form at laft Vcitumnus wears, 45 

With all the maiks of reverend age appears. 
His temples thinly fpread with filver hairs j 

Pn 

Tempon faepe gerens foeno religata recenti, 
Defeftum poterat gramen verfaiTe videri. 
Saepe maiu ftimulos rigida portabat ; ut ilium 
Jurares feflTos modo disjunxiffe juvencos. 
Falce data frondator erat, vitifque putator : 
Induerat fcalas, lefturum poma putares : 
Miles erat gladio, pifcator aiiindine fumta. 
Denique per multas aditum fibi faepe fig^uras 
Repperit, ut caperct fpeftatae gaudia formae. 
Ille etiam pifta redimitus tempora mitra. 



1 



TUMNUS AND POMONA. 337 

is fbiff, and ftooping as he goes, 
litre (hades his furrow'd brows, 
this decrepit fomi array'd, 
» entered, and the fruit furvey'd 5 
py you ! (he dius. addrefsM the maid) 
inns as far all other nymphs out-fhinc, 
gardens are exccll'd by thine !" 
the fair ; (his kifTes warmer grow 5 5 

s women on their fex beftow.) 
befide her on the flowery ground, 
rees with autumn^s bounty crown'd. 
\ near, to whofc embraces led, 
vine her fwelling clufters fpread ; 60 

»r twining branches with delight, 
the beauty of the pleafing fight, 
all elm, but for his vine (he faid) 
eglc^led, and a barren fliadej 

And 



;ulo, poiitis ad tempora canis, 
anum : cultofque intravit in hortos ; 
rata eft : Tantoque potentior, inquit. 
udatae dedit ofcula : qualia nunquam 55 
t anus : glebaque incurva refedit, 
andos aut\imni pondere ramos. 
contra, fpatiofa tumentibus uvis t 60 

poftquam paritcr cum vite probavit j 
ait, coelebs, fine palmite truncus, 
Tondcs, quare peiertlur, habcret, 
Z 



.538 , p-OPtt^S l©ElMrt. ' 

And tlii8 hjr vinei but thu^ksr amtf fummni 

Her many^d «lm» had ospt aidi^ tksgrDinuL 

Ah I beauteous ihaid, Utifkis i^Kmplitnwwo 

Ycur min4^ '^yw& Aatn all the joft of kiv^ 

Deign tirhei^'d> afldrarjrheiilrtfiibdiiftl 

What nymph* coiidd e^cr atiraift: fiick crukU m^ym'l 70 

Not ihe whofe heraiy^viiK'^dtoOiaiMif^ «|im»' - 

UlyfTes' ^MBen, lioT IMMrv llitiil duiMili. 

£v n now^ vijieii fikntfcMHit'ali thtgr gala, 

A thoufaoii court joa» ^tiiMigk dMy cmu^ " 

Athouiandfylvaos, dmigaNll, uidgoda, -H 

That haunt o^ momtimgy 'luul'Oivr Alb«iv woods* ' • 
But if younippfpw/.ttMktAirl lAvMi, 

Whom ag( s^id long mptficoco mdtr wift^ 

And one whofe tender o^re is far above 

All that thefe lovers ever felt of love, to 

f^ 

Haec quoqufij quae yunO^, xhis nequiefcit ia ulfluv ^ 
Si non nupta foret, terrae adclinata jaceret. 
Tu tamen exemplo non tangeris arboris hujus f 
Concubitufque fugis : nee te conjungere cvqrsa. 
Atque utinam velles ! Helene non pluribus cflet 
Sollicitata procis : nee quae Lapitheia movit 
Proelia, nee conjux timidis audacis Ulyflei. 
Nunc quoque. cum fugias averferifque petentes. 
Mi lie proci cupiunt; et femideique deique, 7j 

£t quaecunque tenent Albanos numina niontes. 
Sed tu, {i fapies, ii te bene jimgere, anumqiie 
I Jane audif-e voles, (qa^ Vt ^\ma omnibui illis ^ 



} 



VERTUMNU^ AND POMpNA. ^3^ 

ir more than e'er caA by you«fclf be guefs'd) 

on Vertumnus,. and re|c6l the reft, 
r his firm faith I dare etigagc my own ; 
lice to himfelf, himfelf is bcttev known. 
I diftant lands Vertomnus nerer roves j. g5 

!ce you, contented with his natrve groves f 
r at firft fight, like moft, admires the hk { 
r you he lives j and jovl akme ihall ibare 
I laft affe6lion, as bis early care, 
lides, he *8 lovely far above the reft, 90 

ith youth immortal) aad widi beauty bleft. 
id, that he varies evevy fliape with eaiey ' 
■1 triet all &rms that nay PonMna pleafe. 
t What ihould imft exjciis a mutiud fiame, 
ur rural cares and* pkafbre^ are the fame; 9 5 

< him your orchard's early fruit are due, 

pleafing offering when 'tis made by you-} 

(s quam credis, amo) vulgares rejice taedas : 
tummmique tori- ib<cium tibi felige : pro quo- 

quoque pignus habe> neque enim fibi- nolaor UVe eft> 
im mihi, nee toto paffim vagus errat in orbe.- 
X l<oea fola colit j nee, uti pursmagna^proeoniiti', 
un modo vidit, amat. tu primus et ult^tihis iili 
lor eris 5 folique fuos tibi derovct anno«^. 
de, quod eft juvenis : quod' naturale decoris 9* 

ism9^ habet ; ^Mmafque apte fingetur in omnes : 

quod erit juflus (jubeas licet omnia) Act. 
d, quod amatis idem^ qxiod^ q>iae ti\n ^loncnftt «*• 

■ luntur, 

Z * 



54a POP E'S P O £ M S. 

He values, thefe J but yet (ala»!) complains. 

That ftill the bed and deareft gift remains. 

Not the fair fruit that on yo»' branches glows i 

With that ripe red th' autumnal fun beftows j 

Nor tafteful herbs that in thefe gardens rife. 

Which the kind foil with milky fap fupplics $ 

You, only you, can move the God^s defire : 

Oh, crown £d conftant and fo. pure, a fire ! 105 

Let foft companion touch your gende mind ; 

Think, *tis Vertumnus begs you to be kind ^ 

So may np froft, when early buds appear, 

Deftroy the promife of the youdiful year ; 

Nor winds, when firft your florid orchard blows, no 

Shake the light blofToms from their blafted boughs ! 

This when the various God had ui'g'd in vain» 
He ftrait affum'd his native form again 5 
Such, and fo bright an afpeft now he bears. 
As when through clouds th* emerging fun appears, 1 1 5 

And 

Primus habetj laetaque tenet tua munera dextra? 

Sed neque jam foetus defidei-at arbore demtos. 

Nee, quas hortus alit, cum fuccis roitibus herbas; ico 

Nee quidquam, nifi te. miferere ardentis : et ipfum. 

Qui petit j ore meo praefentem crede precari.-^ 

Sic tibi nee vei*num nafcentia frigus adurat 

P9ma 'y nee excutiant rapidi florentia venti. 1 10 

Haec ubi nequicquam formas Deus aptus in omnes, 
Kdldit ; in juvenem rediit : et anilia demit 
Inftnimenta iibi : talifque adparuit illi, 
Qualis ubi oppofitas nitidiflima folis imago 115 



VERTUMNUS AND POMONA. 34.1 
And thence exerting his refulgent ray, 
Difpels the darknefs, and reveals the day. 
Force he prepared, but check'd the rafli deflgn 5 
For when, appearing in a form divine. 
The Nymph fui-veys him, and beholds the grace no 
Of charming features, and a youthful face ; 
In her foft breaft confenting paflions move. 
And the wai-m maid confefs'd a mutual love. 



Evicit nubes, millaque obftante reluxit. 
Vimque parat : fed vi non eft opus : inque figura 
Capta Dei Nympha eft, et mutua vulnera fentit. 



Es 



I 



IMITATIONS 

O F 

ENGLISH POETS. 

Done by the Author in his Youth. 

I. 
CHAUCER. 

WO M E N ben full <jf Ragerie, . 
Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. 
Thilke moral (hall ye undei^ond. 
From Schoole-boys Tale of fayre Irclond : 
Which to the Fcnnes hath him betake, 5 

To filch the gi-ay Ducke frd the Lake. 
Right then, thei'e paffen by the tmy 
His Aunt, and eke her I>attghter8 tway. 
Dutke in his Trowfes hath he heht. 
Not to be fpied of Ladies gent. i« 

** But ho! oiu: Nephew, (crieth one) 
** Ho ! quoth another, Coztn John }'* 
And ftoapen, and lough, and callen out,— 
This filly Clerk full low doth lout : 
They afken that, and talken this, 1 5 

** Lo here is Coz, and here is Mift." 
But, as he ^ozeth with fpeeches foote, 
The Ducke fore ticklcth his Erfc roote : 
Fore-piccc and buttoni all-to-breft, 
Forth thruft a white neck, and red crell. 

Z 4 "^^ 



344 P O P ECS-P OjE M S. 

Te-he, cry'd Ladies ; Gierke nought fpaJce : 
Mifs ftar'd j and gray Ducke cryeth Quake. I 
<« O Moder, Moder, (quoth the daughter) 
« Be tliilke fame thing Maids longen a'ter ? 
<« Bette is to pine onrcoals and chalke, -^ r • »5 
" Then tiuft on Mon, whofe yerde can talke." 
■ . ', 
II. 

SPE.NSER*; 

THE ALLEY. 

.' ■ I-- - • 

1 N every Town where Thajnis rolls his Tyde, 

"■- A narrow Pafs thei-e is, witliHoufes low; 

Where ever and anon, thd Streani is ey'd, 

And many a Boat, foft Aiding to and fro. 

There oft are heard the notes of Infant Woe,^ ■ ' 5 

The fhort thick Sob, lood Sdream, and fhriller Squall: 

How can ye, Mothers, vex your children fo ? 

Some play, fome 6at, fome cack againft the wall. 

And as they crouchen low, for bread and butter call. 

II. 
And on the broken pavement, here .and there, 10 

Doth many a ftinking fprat and herring lie j 
A brandy and tobacco Ihop is near. 
And hens, and dogs, and hogs are feeding by ; 
And here a failor's jacket hangs to dry. 
At every door are fun-burnt matrons feen, 15 

Mending old nets to calc\\xS[\c ki\."^ it^. 



JMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS. 345 

Now finging fhi'ill, and fcolding eft between ; 

Scolds anfwer foul-mouth'd fcoids 5 bad neighbourhood 

I ween. 

III. 
The fnappifh cur (the paflengers annoy) 
Clofe at my heel with yelping treble flies 5 20 

The- whimp'ring girl, and hoarfer-fcreaming boy. 
Join to the yelping treble, flirilling cries 5 
The fcolding Quean to louder notes doth rife, 
And her full pipes thofe flirilling cries confound j 
To her full pipes the grunting hog replies 5 25 

The grunting hbgs alarm the neighbours round. 
And curs, girls, boys, and fcoids, in the deep bafe are 

drown'd. • 

IV. 
Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, 
Dwelt Obloquy, who in her early days 
Eaikets of fUh at Billinfgate did watch, 30 

Cod, whiting, oyfter, mackrel, fprat, or plaice : 
There learh'd fhe fpeech from tongues 'tfiat never ceaie« 
Slander befide her, like a Magpie, chatters. 
With Envy, (fpitting Cat) dread foe to peace 5 
Like a curs'd Cur, Malice before her clatters, 35 

And, vexing every wight, tears clothes and all to tatters. 

V. 
Her dugs were mark'd by every Collier's* hand. 
Her mouth was black as bull-dog's at the ftall : 
She fcratched, bit, and fpar'd ne lace ne band. 
And bitch and rogue her anfwer was to a\\ ^ fit'^* 

Na/, e"en the parts of /hame by name wouX^t?^*. 



^^•8.> 



54« POP E'^ POEMS. 

Yea, when ihe pafled by or lane or nook. 

Would greet the fnan who ttii-n'd him to the WaH, 

And by his hand obfcene the porter took. 

Nor ever did aikance like modeft Virgin look. 45 

VI. 
Such place hath Deplford» navy-building town, 
Woolwich and Wapping, fmelling ftrong of pitch 5 
Such Lnmbethy ehvy of each band and gown. 
And Twickenhani fuch> which fairer fcenes enrich, 
Grots ftatues, urns, and Jo— n's Dog and Bitch. 50 
Ne village is without, ob either fide, 
All up the filver Thames, of all adown | 
Ne Richmond's felf, from whofe tall front are cy'd 
Vales, fpires, meandering ftreams, and Windlbr's towcry 
pride, 

III. 
WALLER. 

OF A LADY SINGING TO HER LUTE. 
TJ^ AIR Charmer, ceafe, nor make your voice's prize 
^ A heart refignM the conqueft of your eyes : 
Well might, alas] that threatened v^el fail. 
Which winds and lightning both at once aflail. 
We were too bleft with thefe inchanting lays, 5 

Which muft be heavenly when an Angel plays : 
But killing charms your lover's death contrive. 
Left heavenly muiick (hould be heard alive. 
Orpheus could charm the trees, but thus a tree. 
Taught by yom* hand, can chaiin no lefs than he : 10 
A Poet madft tht fiVtnt -wocA ^>3iT^ut, 



IMITAT10I«S Of Eli6£lSH 4>bETS. H* 

On a Fan of the Author's defign, in which wai 
painted the ibry of CephaLtV-s a&d Prochi^^ 
., with the Motto, Aura Vsni, 

1^ OME, gehtle air ^ th' JEolUfi ihepherd faid, 

V* While Procris panted in the fefcttt ftikde j 

Come, gentle Air, die' faitei' Ddi'a cries. 

While at her feet her if^ain expiring lies. 

Lb the glad gafe 6'el- all her beauties ftray. 

Breathe on hei* li|)$, arid in her bp(&rri play ! 

In Dclia'i hatfd this toy is fatal foun<t. 

Nor could thsft'flhlfe'd dart more furely wound : 

Both gifts deftHi^ive to the givers prove j 

iSlike both lovers fall by thofc they lovfe. 

Yet g\iiit!e(s too tliis bright deltrayer liyes. 

At random ^^-Auiidi, nor knows the wound fhe gives s - 

She views tJre ftory willi attentive eyes^ 

And pities Procrife, while her lover dies. , 

IV. 

Cowley. 

THEOARDEN. 

t7 AIN would my Mufe the flowery Treafure fing, 
•* And humble glories of the youthful Spring : 
Where opening Rofes breathing fweets diflFufe, 
And foft Carnations fliower their balmy dews j 
Where Lilies fmile in virgin robes of vjVv\X^» 
The thin uadrefs of fuperficial Lig\vt, 



Kx^ 



34.8 P O P E • S P O E M S. 

And vaiy'd Tulips (how fo dazling gay, 

Blufhing in bright diverfities of day. 

Each painted flowrct in the lake below 

Surveys its beauties, whence its beauties growj 

And pale Narciffus Qn the bank, in vain 

Transformed, gazes on himfelf again. 

Here aged trees Cathedral Walks compofe. 

And mount the hill in venerable rows ; 

There the green Infants in their beds are laid, 15 

The Garden's Hope, and its expefted ihade. 

Here Orange trees with blooms and peadants fliine. 

And vernal honours to their autumn join^ 

Exceed their promife in their ripen'd ftore. 

Yet in the rifmg blofTom promife more. 10 

There in bright drops the cryftal Fountains play. 

By Laurels fhielded from the piercing day : 

Where Daphne, now a tree, as once a maid. 

Still from Apollo vindicates her fhade, 

Still turns her beauties from th* invading beam, 25 

Nor feeks in vain for fuccour to the ftream. 

The ftream at once preferves her virgin leaves. 

At once a (helter from her boughs receives. 

Where Summer's beauty midft of Winter ftays. 

And Winter's Coolnefs fpite of Summer's i-ays. 3P 



^^^^^ 



IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH POETS. 34^ 

WEEPING. 

TT 7 HILE Celia's Tears make forrow bright, 
^ ^ Proud grief fits fwelUng in her eyes : 
The Sun, next thofe the faireft light. 
Thus from the. Ocean firft did rife ; 
And thus thro' Mifts we fee the Sun, 3^ 

Which elfe we durft not gaze upon. 

Thefe filver drops, like morning dew, 

. Foretell the feiTour of the day : 
So from one cloud foft fhowers we view, 

■ And blafting lightnings burft away. 40 

The ftars that fall from Celia's eye. 
Declare our Doom in drawing nigh. 

The Baby in that funny Sphere 

So like a Phaeton appears, 
That Heav'n, the threatened World to ^pare, ■ 45 

Thought fit to drown him in her Tears t 
Elfe might th' ambitious Nymph afpire. 
To fet, like him, Heaven too on fire. 



^•CS^ 



351 P O P E*S P O E M S. 

VI. 
E. OF DORSET. 

ARTEMISIA. 

^ H O U G H Artemifia talks, by fits, 
^ Of councils, ciaffics, fatliers, wits ; 
Reads Malbranche, Boyle, and Locke : 
Yet in fome things methinks fhe fails, 
'Twere well if fhe would pair her nails. 
And wear a cleaner fmock. 

Haughty and huge as High-Dutch bride. 
Such naftinefs, and fo much pride. 

Are oddly ]oin*d by fate : 
On her large fquab you find her fpread, lo 

Like a fat corpfe upon a bed. 

That lies and ftinks in ftate. 

She wears na coburs (fign of grace) 
On any part except her face ; " 

All white anii black befide : ij 

Dauntlefs her look, her gclhire proud. 
Her voice theatrically loud. 

And mafculine her ftride. 

So have I feen, in black and white 

A prating thing, a Magpye hight, ^q 

Majeftically ftalk; 
A (lately, worthlefs animal. 
That plies the tongue, and wags the tail. 

All flutter, pride, atvd X^\^^.. 



IMITATIONS OF ENGLISH fOETS. 153 

P H R Y N E. 

PH R Y N E had talents for mankind. 
Open (he was^ and unconfin'd, 
Like fome free port of trade ; 
Merchants unloaded here their freight. 
And Agents from each foreign ftate 5 

Here firft their entry made. 

Her learning and good-breeding fuch, 
Whether th' Italian or the Dutch, 

Spaniards or French came to her : 
To all obliging ihe M appeal- : 10 

*Twa8 Si Signior, 'twas Yaw Mynheer^ 

*Twas S'il vous plaift, Monfieur. 

Obfcure by birth, renownM by crimes, 
Still changing names, religion, climesi 

At length fhe turns a Bride : 1 5 

In diamonds, pearls, and rich brocades^ 
91ie fhines the firft of batter*d jades. 

And flutters in her pride. 

So have I known thofe Infefls fair 

{Which curious Germans hold fo rare) 20 

Still vary (hapes and dyes } 
Still gain new Titles with new forms ; 
Pirft grubs obfctne, then wriggling worms^ 

Then painted butterflies. 

. Vol. I. A» *^^- 



354 P O PE'8 POEMS* 

vn. 

Dr. swift. 

The Happy Life of a Country Parsor* 

T> ARSON, thefe thmgs in thy pofleffing 
-^ Alt better than the Bifliop*s bleffing. 
A Wife that makes confenres } a Steed 
That carries double when there *s need ? 
O6lober ftore, and beft Virginia, 
Tythe-Pig, and mortuary Guinea s 
Gazettes fent gratis down, and frank*dy 
For which thy Patron's weekly thankM; 
A large Concoidance, bound long finee ; 
Sermons to Charles theFirft, when Prince) 
A Chronicle of ancient ftanding) 
A Chiyfoftom to fmooth thy band in. 
The Polyglott — ^three parts,— my text^ 
Howbeit,— likewife— now to my next. 
Lo here the Septuagint,— -and Paul, 
To fum the whole,— the clofe of all« 

He that has thefe, may pafs his lih. 
Drink with the 'Squire, and kifs his Wift} 
On Sundays preach, and eat his fiU| 
And fail on Fridays*— —if he will $ 
Toaft Church and Q^ccn, ea^lain the Newt» 
Talk with Church- Wardens aboliC P^Wt» 
Pray heartily for fome new Gift, 
And /hake his head at Boftot ^Nrvfe^ 



3 



[ S5S ] 

A FAREWELL TO LONDON 

IN THE YEAR. 1715. 

EAR, damn'd, diftrafling town, farewell! 

Thy fools no more lil teiie : 
his year in peace, ye critics, dwell. 
Ye harlots, ileep at eafe ! 

oft B and rough C , adieu ! 

Earl Warwick make your moan, 
'he lively H k and you 

May knock up whores alone« 

"o drink and droll be Rowe allowM 

Till the third watchman toll ; 
^ Jervais gratis paint, and Frowde 

Save three-pence and his fouL 

arewell Arbuthnot's raillery 

On eveiy learned fot 5 
Ind Garth, the beft good chriftian he. 

Although he knows it not. 

,intot, farewell I thy bard muft go j 

Farewel, unhappy Tonfon I 
leaven gives thee, for thy lofs of Rowe, 

Lean Philips, and fat Johnfon. 

Vhy ihould I ftay ? Both parties rage.| 

My vixen miftrefs fquallsj 
The wits in envious feuds engage ^ 

And Homer (damn him 1) calls. 
A a 2 



3s6 P O PE'S P O E M S* 

The love of arts lies cold and dead 

In Halifax's urn ; 
And not one Mufe of all he fed. 

Has yet the grace to mourn. 

My friends, by turns, my friends confound^ 

Betray, and are betray'd : 
Poor Y - - r's fold for fifty pound, 

And B 11 is a jade. 

Why make I friendfliips with the great. 

When I no favour feek ? 
Or follow girls feven hours in eight f -- 

I need but once a week. 

Still idle, with a bufy air. 

Deep whimfies to contrive j 
The gayeft valetudinaire, 

Moft thinking rake alive. 

Solicitous for others ends. 

Though fond of dear repofe 5 
Carclefs or drowfy with my friends. 

And frolick with my foes. 

Luxurious lobfter-nights, farewell, 

For fober, ftudious days ! 
And Burlington's delicious meal. 

For fallads, tarts, and peafe ! 

Adieu to all but Gay alone, 

Whofe foul, fmcere and free. 
Loves all mankind, but flatters none, 

And fo may ftarve with me. 



[ 357 ] 

A DIALOGUE. 

Pope. qINCE my old friend is grown Co great, 
•^ As to be minifter of ftate, 
I'm told (but 'tis not true I hope) 
Thjit Craggs will be aHiam'd of Pope. 

Craggs. Alas ! if I am fuch a creature. 

To gi'ow the worfe for growing greater j 
Why faith, in fpite of all my brags, 
'Tis Pope muft be aiham^d of Craggs. 



EPIGRAM. 

Engraved on the Collar of a Dog, which I gave to his 
Royal Highnefs. 

T Am his Highnefs' dog at Kew; 

-* Pray tell me. Sir, whofe dog are you ? 



EPIGRAM. 
Occafioned by an Invitation to Court. 

IN the lines that you fent, are the Mufes and Graces ; 
You've the Nine in your wit, and the Three in your 
faces. 



AFiLKQ.- 



35« P O P E'S P O E M S. 

A FRAGMENT. 

WHAT are the falling rills, the pendant Ihades, 1 
The morning bowers, the evening colonnades, 1 
But foft rcceffes for th* uneafy mind 
To figh unheard in, to the pafllng wind ! 
So the ftmck deer, in fomc fequefter'd part. 
Lies down to die (the arrow in his heart) 
There hid in (hades, and wafting day by day. 
Inly he bleeds, and pants his foul away. 



V E R S E S left by Mr. Pope, on his lying in the fame 
Bed which Wilmot the celebrated Earl of Rocheftcr 
flept in, at Adderbury, then belonging to the Duke of 
Argyle, July 9th, 1739. 

TT 7 ITH no poetic ardour fir'd 
^^ I prcfs the bed where Wilmot lay ; 
That here he lov'd, or here expir'd. 
Begets no numbers grave, or gay. 

But in thy roof, Argyle, are bred 

Such thoughts as prompt the brave to lie 

Stretch'd out in honour's nobler bed. 
Beneath a nobler roof —the Iky. 

Such flames as high in patriots burn, 

Yet ftoop to blcfs a child or wife ; 
And fuch as wicked kings may mourn. 

When freedom is more dear than life, 

CON- 



CONTENT 


s 


OF THE 




FIRST VOLUME. 






Page 


n Ecommendatory Poems, 
^ Preface, 


ix 


3 


A Difcourfe on Paftoral Poetry, 


17 


Spring, the firft Paftoral, 


»5 


Summer, the fecond Paftoral, 


3« 


AVTUMN, the third Paftoral, 


36. 


Winter, the fourth Paftoral, 


¥> 


Messiah, a Sacred Eclogue in imitation of Virgirs 


Pollio, 


47 


Windsor-Forest, 


57 


Ode on St. Cecilia's Day, 


77- 


Two Chorufesto the Ti^agedy of Brutus* 


Sz' 


Ode on Solitude, 


«5 


The dying Chriftian to his Soul, 


S6> 


Eflay on Criticifm, 


91 


The Rape of the Lock, 


127 


Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady, 


>57 


Prologue to Mr. Addifon's Tragedy of Cato, 


160 


Epilogue to Jane Shore, 


162 


Sappho to Ph AON, an Epiftle from Ovid, 


164 


£ LOIS A to Abe LARD, an Epiftle, 


i«\ 


The Temple of Fame, 


ati-v 


"JK^^IKVC. 



io CONTENTS* 

ANUAitT and May, from Chaucer, n* 

The Wife of Bath, from Chaucer, 255 

The firft Book of StatIws's Thebais, »7s 
The Fable of Dryope, from Ovid's Metamor- 

phofes, 317 
Vertumnus and JPomona, from Ovid^s Meta- 

morphofes, 334 

Imitations of Engliih Poets, 

Chaucer, 34; 

Spenser, the Alley, 344 

Waller, of a Lady finging to her Lute, 346 

On a Fan, 347 

.V Cowley, the Garden, ib. 

j Weeping, 349 

I £. of Rochester, on Silence, 351 

^ E. of Dorset, Artemisia, 351 

ii Phryne, 35J 

f Swift, the Happy Life of a Country Parfon, 354 

t A Farewell to London,- 355 

; A Dialogue, 357 

Epigram engraved on the Collar of a Dog, ib. 

J — — . Occaiioned by an Invitation to Court, ib. 

i A Fragment, 35* 



END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 



■ 4 

ii