Enough, if all around him but admire, And now the punk applaud, and now the fryer. 190 195 200 205 He dies, sad outcast of each church and state, Nature well known, no prodigies remain, 210 When VER. 206. Ask you why Wharton] "This celebrated peer," says Lord Orford," like Buckingham and Rochester, comforted all the grave and dull by throwing away the brightest profusion of parts on witty fooleries, debaucheries, and scrapes, which may mix graces with a great character, but never can compose one." VER. 208. In the former editions, Nature well known, no Miracles remain. Altered as above, for very obvious reasons. When Cataline by rapine swell'd his store; When Cæsar made a noble dame a whore ; In this the last, in that the avarice Were means, not ends: ambition was the vice. In this one passion man can strength enjoy, 215 220 Yet tames not this; it sticks to our last sand. 225 Consistent in our follies and our sins, 230 Has made the father of a nameless race, Shov'd VER. 213. When Casar made] This was Servilia, the sister of Cato, and the mother of Brutus. VER. 231. Lanesb'row] An ancient nobleman, who continued this practice long after his legs were disabled by the gout. Upon the death of Prince George of Denmark, he demanded an audience of the Queen, to advise her to preserve her health and lispel her grief by dancing. Shov'd from the wall perhaps, or rudely press'd soul! 235 240 A salmon's belly, Helluo, was thy fate; The doctor call'd, declares all help too late : "Mercy!" cries Helluo, " mercy on my "Is there no hope?-Alas!-then bring the jowl." The frugal crone, whom praying priests attend, Still tries to save the hallow'd taper's end, Collects her breath, as ebbing life retires, For one puff more, and in that puff expires. 245 "Odious! in woollen! 'twould a saint provoke," (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 would not, sure, be frightful when one's dead"And-Betty-give this cheek a little red." 251 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." 256 Your VER. 242. The frugal crone, &c.] A fact told him by Lady Bolinbroke, of an old countess at Paris. VER. 247. Narcissa] Mrs. Oldfield the actress, who gave these orders with her dying breath. Betty was Mrs. Saunders, an actress, her friend and confidante. 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 cry'd, "Not that, I cannot part with that”—and dy’d. brave COBHAM! to the latest breath, Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death: And you, Such in those moments as in all the past; "Oh, save my country, Heav'n !" shall be your last. VER. 261. and dy'd.] Sir William Bateman used those very words on his death-bed, but Euclio is supposed to have been designed for Sir Charles Duncombe of Helmsley, EPISTLE II. TO A LADY. Of the CHARACTERS of WOMEN. NOTHING so true as what you once let fall, "Most women have no characters at all.” Matter too soft a lasting mark to bear, And best distinguish'd by black, brown, or fair. How many pictures of one nymph we view, Here Fannia, leering on her own good man, With simp❜ring angels, palms, and harps divine; If folly grow romantic, I must paint it. Çome |