"Great idol of mankind! We neither claim The praise of merit, nor aspire to fame; But safe in deserts from th' applause of men, Would die unheard of, as we liv'd unseen. 'Tis all we beg thee to conceal from sight Those acts of goodness which themselves requite. Oh, let us still the secret joy partake, To follow virtue ev'n for virtue's sake." 66 Indifference. Delight, And live there men who slight immortal fame? Wonder. Who then with incense shall adore our name? But, mortals! know 'tis still our greatest pride To blaze those virtues which the good would hide. Informing. Pleasing description. Rise, Muses! Rise! Add all your tuneful breath! Exciting. One came, methought, and whisper'd in my ear: "What could thus high thy rash ambition raise? Questioning ė; Art thou, fond youth! a candidate for praise?” So hard to gain, so easy to be lost. How vain that second life in others' breath, Th' estate which wits inherit after death! Ease, health, and life, for this they must resign (Unsure the tenure, and how vast the fine!) 1 To be spoken as melodiously as possible. 2" What could thus high," &c., must be spoken with a lower voice than the foregoing. with reproof. Apology. Concern. The great man's curse, without the gains, endure, And all successful, jealous friends at best. But if the purchase costs so dear a price, And if the Muse must flatter lawless sway, But the fall'n ruins of another's fame; Deprecation. Then teach me, heav'n, to scorn the guilty bays, Drive from my breast that wretched lust of praise. Unblemish'd let me live, or die unknown; Oh, grant me honest fame; cr grant me none! Pope. Sneer, or XVII. SATIRICAL DESCRIPTION. 'Tis from high life high characters are drawn: mock praise. A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn. A judge is just; a chanc'llor-juster still; A gownman, learn'd; a bishop—what you will; Wise, if a minister; but if a king, Teaching. Boasting. Smooth. Sneak. More wise, more just, more learn'd, more every thing 1 Though these lines contain descriptions, or characters, they may be expressed with action, almost as if they were speeches. This first line "Boastful and rough," &c., may be spoken with the action of boasting; and so for the rest. 07. 2. Is he a churchman? Then he's fond of pow'r; Pride. a Formal. b Peevish. Foppery. • Contempt. dAdmiration Manners with fortunes, humours turn with climes, Teaching. A salmon's belly, Helluo,' was thy fate;2 Eager. Trepidation. Deprecation sickness. "Odious! În woollen! "Twould a saint provoke," Aversion. Were the last words that poor Narcissa spoke. 1 "Helluo" signifies glutton. 2 That is, a surfeit of fresh salmon was thy death. 3 The glutton will continue to indulge his appetite (so indeed sequences. Weakness. Expiring. Civil with weakness. Grief. Weeping. Weak. Praying. The courtier smooth, who forty years had shin'd An humble servant to all human kind, Just brought out this, when scarce his tongue could stir; "If -where I'm going- I could-serve you, sir,” 'I give, and I devise,” old Euclio said, And sigh'd, "my lands and tenements to Ned.” Oh, save my country, heav'n!" shall be your last. Pope. XVIII. VEXATION-PERTNESS -CRINGING. Gratitude. Vexation. Pope's complaint of the impertinence of scribblers. With serious anguish, and an aching head; 1 Dr. Arbuthnot, his friend and physician. "The world had wanted." Thus far ought to be spoken with great emphasis, as if somewhat very important were com ing; and the remaining part of the line, "many an idle song," in a ludicrous manner. Then drop, at last, but in unwilling ears, surprise. Pertness. This saving counsel, “Keep your piece nine years.” Advising. If I approve, 66 Furies! death, and rage!" There, thank my stars, my whole commission ends, a Offence. b Cringing. Threatening, Surprise. Anger. Comfort. Fir'd, that the house reject him, "'S death, I'll Anger. print it, And shame the fools-Your intrest, sir, with Lintot." Cringing. 'Lintot (dull rogue !) will think your price too Excuse. 66 66 much." Not, sir, if you revise it and retouch.” All my demurs but double his attacks. At last he whispers, "Do; and we go snacks." Glad of a quarrel, straight I clap the door. 66 Sir, let me see you and your works no more." Alluding to Horace's "Nonumque premetur in annum.” 2 Pitholeon. The name of a foolish ancient poet. 3" Curl invites," &c. Mr. Pope was, it seems, ill used by Curl, a bookseller, by the writer of a journal or newspaper, and by a parson much bemused in beer." Cringing. Vexation. Dismissing with anger. |