The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper;: Pope's Homer's ...

Whether convinc'd, that gold can't change the soul,

Or that fair virtue should its power control. That all his neighbours' flocks and herds should The sage's harvest, while without its weight [eat His spirit rov'd abroad, shall ne'er be told As wonderful; since, not debas'd by gold, And its infection, Iccius, bravely wise, Spurns this vile earth, and soars into the skies; Curious to search, what bounds old ocean's tides; What through the various year the seasons guides: Whether the stars by their own proper force, Or foreign power, pursue, their wandering course: Why shadows darken the pale queen of night; Whence she renews her orb, and spreads her light, What nature's jarring sympathy can mean, [tain. And who, among the wise, their systems best inainBut whether slaughter'd onions crown your board, Or murder'd fish an impious feast afford." Receive Pompeius Grosphus to your heart, And, ere he asks, your willing aid impart; o He ne'er shall make a bold, unjust request,

Though Lamia's pious tears, that ceaseless moun His brother's death, have hunder'd my return, Thither my warmest wishes bend their force, Start from the goal, and beat the distant course Rome is your raptarë, mine the rural seat; Pleas'd with each other's lot, our own we hate! But both afe fools, is in like extreme;" Guiltless the place unjustly blame,

For in the mind 16hout foufes The, 667 1 The mind that never from itself can fly, now MA A at Rome, and discontented there, rasī was once your silent prayer:

A rustic grown, your first desires rétingh ciri p
For Rome, her public games and baths, you burn
More constant to myself, I leave with pain, 15
By hateful business fored, the rural scener
From different objects our desires arise, th
And thence the distance that between us-les";
For
You call inhospitably dear,#E
To me with beauty and delight appear, 15.
Full well I know a tavern's greasy steam,
And a vile stew, with joy your heart inflame,
f'yields rather herbs than vines,

And friends are cheap, when good men are distrest. We miglaan kaane tavern pours its wines,

Now condescend to hear the public news: Agrippa's war the sons of Spain subdues. The fierce Armenian Nero's virtue feels; Short by the knees the haughty Parthian, kneels; Again the monarch is by Cæsar erown'd, And Plenty pours her golden barvest round.

VINIUS, I oft desir'd you, ere you went, Well seal'd my rhyming volumes to present 12 When Cæsar's high in health, in spirits gay,15 10 Or if he ask to read th' unoffer'd lay, ang ele Lest you offend with too officious zeal, And my poor works his just resentment feeld? Throw down the burden, if it gall your back, Nor at the palace fiercely break the pack, Lest my dear ass become the laughing sport, The quibbling fable of the wits at court.

29T Through rivers, steeps, and fens, exert your force, Nor, when you're victor of the destin'd course, Under your arm the letter'd bundle bear, As rustics do their lambs, with awkward air; 197 Or Pyrrhia, reeling from the drunken bowl, 1138 Conveys away the ball of wool she stole ; Or, in his pride, a tribe-invited guest 67 1974 I s200qu2 Carries his cap and slippers to a feast edi Nor loud proclaim, with how much toil you bear Such verse, as may detain even Cæsar's ear, Farewell, make haste; and special caution take. Lest you should stumble, and my orders break, 81d 9dt vi patiz ci sebum enout to

1 EPISTLE XIVedo to 1691 dT v moi asrW TO HIS STEWARD IN THE COUNTRY. THOU steward of the woods and country-seat, That give me to my self; whose smafl estate, Which you despise, five worthy fathers sent, One from each house, to Varia's parliament: Let us enquire, if yon with happier toil 18 Root out the thorns and thistles of the soil,~ Than Horace tears his follies from his breast; Whether my farm or I be cultivated best. te,

Nor

Nor harlot-thinstrel sings, when the rude sound
Tempts you with heavy heels to thump the ground
But you complain, that with unceasing toil
You break, alas! the long unbroken soil,
Or loose the wearied oxen from the plough,
And feed with leaves new-gather'd from the bough
Then feels your laziness an added pain,
If e'er the rivulet be swoln with rain;
What mighty mounds against its force you rear,
To teach its rage the sunny mead to spare!

Now hear, from whence our sentiments divide:
In youth, perhaps with not ungraceful pride,
I wore a silken robe, perfum'd my hair,
And without presents charm'd the venal fair:
From early morning quaff'd the flowing glass;
Now a short supper charms, or on the grass
To lay me down at some fair river's side,
And sweetly slumber as the waters glide;
Nor do I blush to own my follies past,
But own those follies should no longer last.

None there with eye askance my pleasures ver With hatred dark, of poison'd spite pursues; My neighbours langh to see with how much tod carry tones, or break the stubborn smil ou with my city-slaves would gladly join, And of their daily pittance hardly dime While more refin'd they view with envious eye The gardens, horses, fires, that you enjoy.

Thus the slow ox would, gaudy trappings claim, The sprightly horse would plough amidst the team By my advice, let each with cheerful heart, As best he understands, employ his art. nistutem miel ym in kertonur✪ boog, ter s ,073 tasboude diem y jane edil shiv sitt où des,esintenq to aud 90 EPISTLE XV,brid et un 16772 anci9supol ni bas,900 291 Se questO VALA, 91090 ban • By my physician's learn'd advice Pay From Baia's waters, yet with angly eye? The village views me, when I mean to bathe The middle winter's freezing wave beneath'; Loudly complaining, that their myrtle groves Are now neglected; their sulphureons stores, Of ancient fame our feeble nerves to raise, And dissipate the lingering Cold disease,

11512

While the sick folks in Clusium's fountains dare
Plunge the bold head, or seek a colder air.
The road we now must alter, and engage,
Th' unwilling horse to pass his usual stage:
"Ho! whither now?" his angry rider cries,
And to the left the restive bridle plies.
"We go no more to Baia; prithee heard
But in his bridle lies an horse's early

Dear Vala, say, how temperate, how severe,
Are Velia's winters, and Saleruum's air:
The genius of the folks, the roads, how good:
Which eats the better, bread, and when a food
Of rain descends, which quaffs the gather'd shower,
Or do their fountains purer water pour mod vo¶
Their country-vintage is not worth my care, sol
For though at home, whatever wine, I bear,
At sea-port towns I shall expect to find
My wines of generous and of smoother kind, bef
To drive away my cares, and to the soul,.
Through the full veins, with golden hopes to roll;
With flowing language to inspire my tongue,
And make the listening fair-one think me young.
With hares or boars which country's best sup-
Which seas their better fish luxurious hide? [plied?
That I may home return in luscious plight
'Tis ours to credit, as 'tis yours to write.

Well might you swear, that here Tarentum waves
Its dusky shade, and pours forth all its leaves.
A fountain to a rivulet gives its name,

Cooler and purer than a Thracian stream;
Useful to ease an aching head it flows,

And

Or when with burning pains the stomach glows.
This pleasing, this delicious soft retreat
In safety guards ine from September's heat.
Would you
be happy, be the thing you seem,
esteem,
nd sure you now possess the world's
Nor yet to others too much credit give,
But in your own opinion learn to live;
For know, the bliss in our own judgment lies,
And none are happy but the good and wise.
Nor, tho' the crowd pronounce your health is good,
Disguise the fever lurking in your blood,
Till trembling seize you at th' unfinish'd meal-
[ears,
Ideots alone their ulcer'd ills conceal.

Should some bold flatterer sooth your listening
"The conquer'd world, dread sir, thy name reveres;
And Jove our guardian god, with power divine,
Who watches o'er Rome's happiness and thine,
Yet holds it doubtful, whether Rome or you,
With greater warmth, each other's good pursue.”
This praise, you own, is sacred Cæsar's fame;
But can you answer to your proper name,

When Mænius had consum'd, with gallant heart, When you are call'd th' accomplish'd or the wise,

A large estate, he took the jester's art:
A vagrant zany, of no certain manger,

Who knew not, ere he din'd, or friend, or stranger:
Cruel, and scurrilous to all, his jest;
The ruin'd butcher's gulf, a storin, a pest,
Whate'er he got his ravening guts receive, 7
And when or friend or foe no longer gave,
A lamb's fat paunch was a delicious treat,
As much as three voracious bears could eat ;,I
Then, like reformer Bestius, would he tell ye,
That gluttons should be branded on the belly.

But if, perchance, he found some richer fare, 1
Instant it vanish'd into smoke and air-

By Jove I wonder not, that folks should eat,, ;
At one delicious meal, a whole estate,
For a fat thrush is most delightful food, 7
And a swine's paunch superlatively good."
Thus I, when better entertainments fail,
Bravely commend a plain and frugal meal;
On cheaper suppers show myself full wise,
But if some dainties more luxurious rise
"Right sage and happy they alone, whose fate
Gives them a splendid house, and large estate."
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Names, which we all with equal ardour prize?
Yet he, who gives to day, this heedless praise,
Shall take it back to-morrow, if he please.
As when the people from some worthless knave
Can tear away the consulship they gave;

Lay down the name of wisdom, sir, 'tis mine;")
Confus'd I leave him, and his gifts resign.
What if he said, I hang'd my aged sire,
Call'd me a thief, a slave to lewd desire,
Shall I be tortur'd with unjust disgrace,
Or change the guilty colours of my face?
False praise can charm, unreal shame control-
Whom, but a vicious or a sickly soul?
Who then is good?

QUINCTIUS.

Who carefully observes
The senate's wise decrees, nor ever swerves
From the known rules of justice and the laws :
Whose bail secures, whose oath decides a cause,
HORACE.!

Yet his own house, his heighbours, through his art
Behold an inward baseness in his heart.
Suppose a slave should say, "I never steal,
I never ran away" Nor do you feel
The flagrant lash" * No human blood I shed"-
" Nor on the cross the ravening crows have fed."-
"But, sir, I am an honest slave, and wise."
"My Sabine neighbour there the fact denies.
For wily wolves the fatal pitfall fear; Meg
Kites fly the bait, and hawks the latent snare;
But virtuous minds a love of virtue charms:
The fear of chastisement thy guilt alarms.
When from my stores you steal one grain of wheat,
My loss indeed is less, your crime as great.”

Your, honest man, ou whom with awful praise
The forum and, the courts of justice gaze,
If e'er he make a public sacrifice,›
Dread Janus, Phoebus, clear and loud he cries;
But when his prayer in earnest is preferr'd
Scarce moves his lips, afraid of being heard,
"Beauteous Laverna, my petition hear;
Let me with truth and sanctity appear:

Oh! give me to deceive, and with a veil
Of darkness and of night my crimes conceal."
Behold the miser bending down to earth
For a poor farthing, which the boys in mirth
Fix'd to the ground; and shall the caitiff dare
In honest freedom with a slave compare?,.
Whoever wishes is with fear possest,

And he, who holds that passion in his breast,
Is in my sense a slave; hath left the post
Where virtue plac'd him, and his arms hatlı lost;
To purchase hasty wealth, his force applies,
And overwhelm'd beneath his burthen lies. Að
Say, is not this a very worthless knave?,
But if you have the most untoward slave,
Yet kill him not, he may some profit yield,
Of strength to guard your flocks, and plough your
Or let him winter in the stormy main [field,
By imports to reduce the price of grain.

The good, and wise, like Bacchus in the play, Dare, to the king of Thebes, undaunted say, [dain." "What can thy power? Thy threatenings I dis

ALTHOUGH my Scava knows, with art complete, How to converse familiar with the great, Yet to th' instruction of an humble friend, Who would himself be better taught, attend; Tho' blind your guide, some precepts yet unknown He may disclose, which you may make your own.

Are you with tranquil, easy pleasure blest, ...? Or after sun-rise love an hour of rest, If dusty streets, the rattling chariot's noise, Or if the neighbouring tavern's midnight joys, Delight you not, by my advice retreat

07 bet To the calm raptures of a rural seat: £) Ø1 For pleasure's not confin'd to wealth alone, Nor ill he lives, who lives and dies unknown; T But would you serve your friends, and joyous waste The bounteous hour, perfume you for the feast.

"His patient herbs could Aristippus eat, si. He had disdain'd the tables of the great,od n9 "And he, who censures me," the sage replies, "If he could live with kings, would herbs despise." Tell me, which likes you best, or younger, hear, Why Aristippus' maxims best appear; For with the snarling cynic well he play'd, at "I am my own buffoon, you take the trade a To please the crowd; yet sure 'tis better pride, Maintain'd by monarchs, on my horse to ride. But while at court observant I attend, For things of vileness you submissive, bend ;'te

Own a superior, and yet proudly vaust,
Imperious cynic, that you nothing want."
Yet Aristippus every dress became:
In every various change of life the same;
And though he aim'd at things of higher kind,
Yet to the present held an equal mind.
But that a man, whom patience taught to wear:
A thick, coarse coat, should ever learn to bear
A change of life with decency and ease,
May justly, I confess, our wonder raise.

Yet Aristippus, though but meanly drest,
Nor wants, nor wishes for, a purple vest;
He walks, regardless of the public gaze,
And knows in every character to please;
But neither dog's nor snake's envenom'd bite
Can, like a silken robe, the Cynic fright.
"Give him his mantle, or he dies with cold-"
Nay, give it, let the fool his blessing hold.”
In glorious war a triumph to obtain,
Celestial honours, and a seat shall gain
Fast by the throne of Jove; nor mean the praise
These deities of human kind to please.

"But, 'midst the storms and tempests of a court, Not every one shall reach the wish'd-for port; And sure the man, who doubts of his success, Wisely declines th' attempt."-Then you confess, That who succeeds, thus difficult his part, Gives the best proof of courage, as of art.

Then, here, or no where, we the truth shall find; Conscious how weak in body, or in mind, When we behold the burthen with despair, Which others boldly try, with spirit bear, If virtue's aught beyond an empty name, Rewards and honours they with justice claim. In silence who their poverty conceal, More than th' importunate, with kings prevail: And whether we with modest action take, Or snatch the favour, may some difference make From this fair fountain our best profits rise: For, when with plaintive tone a suppliant cries, 5 My sister lies unportion'd on my hands; My mother's poor, nor can I sell my lands, Or they maintain me;" might he not have said, "Give me, ah! give me, sir, my daily bread?” While he, who hears him, chants on t'other side, "With me your bounty, ah! with me divide:" But had the crow his food in silence eat, Less had his quarrels been, and more his meat. A jaunt of pleasure should my lord intend, And with him deign to take an humble friend, To talk of broken roads, of cold and rain, Or of his plunder'd baggage to complain, Is but the trick, which wily harlots try, Who for a bracelet, or a necklace, cry; So oft they weep, that we believe no more When they with tears a real loss deplore.

He, whom a lying lameness once deceives, No more the falling vagabond believes ;~ And though with streaming tears the caitiff cries, "Help me, ah beruel, help a wretch to rise Though loud he swear, “Indeed my leg is broke; By great Osiris, I no longer joke!"

Yet the boarse village answers to his cries, "Go, find a stranger to believe your lies.”

EPISTLE XVIIL

TO LOLLIUS..

LOLIUS, if well I know your heart,

Your liberal spirit scorns an art

And prostitute of common fame.vagant
Behold, in opposite excess,

A different vice, though nothing less;
Rustic, inelegant, uncouth,

With shaggy beard and nasty tooth, Lavinne zelő
That fondly would be thought to beqquena kor
Fair virtue, and pure liberty dew on pehnw mở
But virtue, in a medium fies,

From whence these different follies rise. - word bo
Another, with devotion fervent, ob voiton ma
Is more than your obsequious servant; soul m
Admitted as an humble guest, metu ond anda ?
Where men of money break their jest,
He waits the nod, with awe profound,
And catches, ere it reach the ground,on Tempodob
The falling joke, and echoes back the sound.
A school-boy thus, with humble air,pofondo se sid
Repeats to pedagogue severe;
Thus players act an under-part,
And fear to put forth all their art. 1

Another in dispute engages,

With nonsense arm'd for nothing rages,
"My word of honour not believ'd?
Or my opinion not receiv'd?

And shall I, whether right or wrong,

Be forc'd, forsooth, to hold my tongue?
No at a price so base and mean,
I would a thousand lives disdain."

But what's the cause of all this rage?

Who's the best actor on the stage,

Or to which road you best may turn ye,

If to Brundusium lies your journey.

Now, Lollius, mark the wretch's fate, poma so

Who lives dependant on the great.

If the precipitating dice, perfo

If Venus be his darling vice;

If vanity his wealth consumes

In dressing, feasting, and perfumes;

If thirst of gold his bosom sways,
A thirst which nothing can appease;

If poverty with shame he views,

And wealth with every vice pursues ;

My lord, more vicious as more great, and head stol
Views him with horrour, and with hate:
At least, shall o'er him tyrannize,bund_dby SGA
And like a fond mamma advise, aroma la aler
Who bids her darling daughter shunmeal to 10
tadt toe 21
The paths of folly she had run.
"Think not," he cries, " to live like me; c
My wealth supports my vanity;w vd the 62
Your folly should be moderate,
Proportion'd to a snail estate." modu pil
Eutrapelus, in merry mood, millet out barum uf
The objects of his wrath pursued,dto# dpwolt buA
And where he deepest vengeance meantim qloli
Fine clothes, with cruel bounty, sent, of duodT
For, when the happy coxcomb's drest,' ' !!
Strange hopes and projects fill his breast;
He sleeps till noon, nor will the varletul,60
For fame or fortune, leave bis harlot.
Lavish he feeds the usurer's store,
And when the miser lends no more,

He learns the gladiator's art,

Or humbly drives a gardener's cart.san!

Strive not with mean, unhandsome lore,
Your patron's bosom to explore,
And let not wine, or anger, wrest
Th' entrusted secret from your breast.
Nor blame the pleasures of friend,
your
Nor to your own too earnest bend;
Nor idly court the froward Muse,
While he the vigorous chase pursues.
Humours like these could fatal prove
To Zethus and Amphion's love,
Until Amphion' kind complied,
And laid th' offensive lyre aside.
So to your patron's will give way,
His gentle insolence obey,

And when he pours into the plain
His horses, hounds, and hunting-train,
Break from the peevish Muse away,
Divide the toils, and share the prey.

The chase was by our sires esteem'd,
Healthful, and honourable deem'd.
Thy swiftness far the hound's exceeds;
The boar beneath thy javelin bleeds;
And who, like thee, with grace can wield
The weapons of the martial field,
Or with such loud applause as thine
Amidst the youthful battle shine?

In the destructive war of Spain
Early you made your first campaign,
Beneath a leader, who regains
Our eagles from the Parthian fanes,
Who boundless now extends his sway,
And bids a willing world obey.

Lollius, though all your actions rise
From judgment temperate and wise,
Yet oft at home you can unbend,
And even to trifling sports descend.
Your little boats, with mimic rage,
Like Actium's mighty fleets engage;
Your lake like Adria's ocean spreads,
The adverse war your brother leads,
Till Victory her wings display,
And crown the conqueror of the day.
Cæsar, who finds that you approve
His taste, shall your diversions love.
If my advice regard may claim,
Be tender of another's fame,
And be the man with caution tried,
If whose discretion you confide,
Th' impertinent be sure to hate;
Who loves to ask, will love to prate.
Ears, that unfold to every tale,
Entrusted secrets ill conceal,
And you shall wish, but wish in vain,
To call the fleeting words again.

With cantions judgment, o'er and o'er,
The man you recommend explore,
Lest; when the scoundrel's better known,
You blush for errours not your own.
Then frankly give him up to shame,
But boldly guard the injur'd fame
Of a well-known and valued friend,
With vigour and with zeal defend;
For, be assur'd, when he's defam'd,
At you th' envenom'd shaft is aim'd.
When flames your neighbour's dwelling seize,
Your own with instant rage shall blaze;
Then haste to stop the spreading fire,
Which, if neglected, rises higher.

Untried, how sweet a court attendance!
When tried, how dreadful the dependance !

Yet, while your vessel's under sail,
Be sure to catch the flying gale,
Lest adverse winds, with rapid force,
Should bear you from your destin'd course.
The grave a gay companion shun;
Far from the sad the jovial run;
The gay, the witty, and sedate,
Are objects of each other's hate;

And they, who quaff their midnight glass,
Scorn them who dare their bumper pass,
Although they loudly swear, they dread
A sick debauch, and aching head.

Be every look serenely gay,
And drive all cloudy cares away.
The modest oft too dark appear,
The silent, thoughtful and severe.
Consult with care the learned page;
Inquire of every scienc'd sage,
How you may glide with gentle ease
Adown the current of your days,
Nor vext by mean and low desires,
Nor warm'd by wild ambition's fires,
By hope alarm'd, deprest by fear,
For things but little worth your care:
Whether fair virtue's hallow'd rules
Proceed from Nature, or the schools;
What may the force of care suspend,
And make you to yourself a friend;
Whether the tranquil mind and pure,
Honours, or wealth, our bliss insure,
Or down through life unknown to stray,
Where lonely leads the silent way.

When happy in my rural scene,

Whose fountain chills the shuddering swain, Such is my prayer-Let me possess

My present wealth, or even less,

And if the bounteous gods design

A longer life, that life be mine.
Give me of books the mental cheer,
Of wealth sufficient for a year,
Nor let me float in Fortune's power,
Dependant on the future hour.
To Jove for life and wealth I pray,
These Jove may give, or take away;
But, for a firm and tranquil mind,
That blessing in myself I find.

EPISTLE XIX.

TO MECENAS.

To old Cratinus if you credit give, No water-drinker's verses long shall live, Or long shall please. Among his motley fold, Satyrs and Fauns, when Bacchus had enroll'd The brain-sick rhymer, soon the tuneful Nine At morning breath'd, and not too sweet, of wine. When Homer sings the joys of wine, 'tis plain Great Homer was not of a sober strain; And father Ennius, till with drinking fir'd, Was never to the martial song inspir'd. Let thirsty spirits make the bar their choice, Nor dare in cheerful song to raise their voice.

Soon as I spoke, our bards, before they write, Smell of their wine all day, and tipple all the night. What! if with naked feet and savage air, Cato's short coat some mimic coxcomb wear, Say, shall his habit and affected gloom, Great Cato's manners, or his worth, assume?

Cordus, the Moor, while studious how to please
With well-bred raillery, and learned ease,
To rival gay Timagenes he tried,

Yet burst with disappointed spleen and pride:
By such examples many a coxcomb's caught,
Whose art can only imitate a fault. [think,

Should I by chance grow pale, our bardlings
That bloodless cumin's the true rhyming drink.
Ye wretched mimics, whose fond heats have been,
How oft! the objects of my mirth and spleen.
Through open worlds of rhyme I dar'd to tread
In paths unknown, by no bold footsteps led:
Who on himself relies with conscious pride,
Most certainly the buzzing hive shall guide.
To keen lambics I first tun'd the lyre,
And, warm'd with great Archilochus's fire,
His rapid numbers chose, but shunn'd with care
The style that drove Lycambes to despair.

I fear'd to change the structure of his line, But shall a short-liv'd wreath be therefore mine? Sappho, whose verse with manly spirit glows, Even great Alcæus his lambics chose,

In different stanzas though he forms his lines,
And to a theme more merciful inclines;
No perjur'd sire with blood-stain'd verse pursues,
Nor ties, in damning rhyme, his fair-one's noose.
I first attempted in the lyric tone

His numbers, to the Roman lyre unknown,
And joy, that works of such unbeard-of taste
By men of worth and genius were embrac❜d.

But would you know, why some condemn abroad,
Thankless, unjust, what they at home applaud?
I purchase not the venal critic's vote
With costly suppers, or a thread-bare coat;
The works of titled wits I never hear,
Nor, vengeful in my turn, assault their ear.
The tribe of grammar-pedants I despise,
And hence these tears of spleen and anger rise.
I blush in grand assemblies to repeat
My worthless works, and give such trifles weight;
Yet these professions they with wonder hear—
"No. You reserve them for dread Cæsar's ear;
With your own beauties charm'd, you surely know
Your verses with a honied sweetness flow."
Nor dare I rally with such dangerous folk,
Lest I be torn to pieces for a joke,
Yet beg they would appoint another day,
A place more proper to decide the fray;
For jests a fearful strife and anger breed,
Whence quarrels fierce and funeral wars proceed.

EPISTLE XX.

TO HIS BOOK.

THE shops of Rome impatient to behold,
And, elegantly polish'd, to be sold,
You hate the tender seal, and guardian keys,
Which modest volumes love, and fondly praise
The public world, even sighing to be read-
Unhappy book! to other manners bred
Indulge the fond desire, with which you burn,
Pursue your flight, yet think not to return.

But, when insulted by the critic's scorn,
How often shall you cry, “Ah! me forlorn!"
When he shall throw the tedious volume by,
Nor longer view thee with a lover's eye.

If rage mislead not my prophetic truth, [youth; Rome shall admire, while you can charm with

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