"Great idol of mankind! We neither claim 'Tis all we beg thee to conceal from sight To follow virtue ev'n for virtue's sake." 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 Art thou, fond youth! a candidate for praise?” So hard to gain, so easy to be lost. Ease, health, and life, for this they must resign 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, Apprehen- As soothing folly or exalting vice; sion of evil. 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; or 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. Is he a churchman? Then he's fond of pow'r; Ask men's opinions-Scoto now shall tell Pride. a Formal. b Peevish. Foppery. Manners with fortune, humours turn with climes, Teaching. Tenets with books, and principles with times. Search then the ruling passion. There alone The prospect clears, and Wharton stands confest ; A salmon's belly, Helluo' was thy fate The doctor call'd, declares all help too late. 66 Mercy," cries Helluo, "mercy on my soul! Is there no hope? Alas! then bring the jowl."3 • Contempt. dAdmiration Eager. Admiration. Trepidation. "Odious! In woollen! 'Twould a saint provoke," Aversion. Were the last words that poor Narcissa spoke. "No ; let a charming chintz and Brussels lace, Wrap my cold limbs, and shade my lifeless face. One need not, sure, be ugly, though one's dead: And-Betty-give this cheek—a little-red.” 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 will every habitual offender in every kind) in spite of all con 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." "Your money, sir." "My money, sir!-What-all? Why—if I must—(then wept)—I give it—Paul.” “The manor, sir?"_"The manor"—"Hold," he cried, "I cannot-must not part with that"—and died. And you, brave Cobham! at your latest breath Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death. Such in that moment, as in all the past, "Oh, save my country, heav'n!" shall be your last. Pope. Gratitude. Vexation. XVIII. VEXATION-PERTNESS CRINGING. Pope's complaint of the impertinence of scribblers. What drop, or nostrum, can this plague remove? 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 coming; and the remaining part of the line, "many an idle song," in a ludicrous manner. Then drop, at last, but in unwilling ears, This saving counsel, "Keep your piece nine years." Advising. surprise. “Nine years!” cries he, who high in Drury-lane, Offence with Lull'd by soft zephyrs through the broken pane, Rhymes ere he wakes, and prints before term ends, Oblig'd, by hunger—and request of friends. 66 66 The piece, you think, is incorrect. Why take it. Bless me! A packet! "'Tis a stranger sues; A virgin tragedy; an orphan muse.” If I dislike it, "Furies! death, and rage!" Pertness. Cringing. a Offence. b Cringing. Threatening. Surprise. Anger. Cringing. 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. 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.” 1 Alluding to Horace's "Nonumque premetur in annum.” 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. Wheedling. Offence. Dismissing with anger. |