TRANSLATION OF MARTIAL'S EPIGRAN Ar length my friend (while Time with still career TO ERINNA. 1722. THOUGH Sprightly Sappho force our love and praise So, while the sun's broad beam yet strikes the sight, Serene, in virgin majesty she shines; INSCRIPTION ON A PUNCH-BOWL, IN THE SOUTH-SEA YEAR (1720), FOR A CLUB, CHASED WITH JUPITER PLACING CALLISTO IN THE SKIES, AND EUROPA WITH THE BULL. COME, fill the South Sea goblet full; And Jove with joy puts off the bear. 1 Jam numerat placido felix Antonius ovo, &c. 2 Erinna was a celebrated Greek poetess who died young. She was chained by her mother to her Spinning Wheel. Her chief poem is called "The Spindle." Pope applies her name to some unknown literary friend of his in these lines, ON RECEIVING FROM THE RIGHT HON. THE LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY' A STANDISH AND TWO PENS. YES, I beheld th' Athenian Queen' "Secure the radiant weapons wield; This steel shall stab it to the heart." Awed, on my bended knees I fell, "What well? what weapons?" (Flavia cries,) "But, friend, take heed whom you attack; "You'd write as smooth again on glass, As not to stick at fool or ass, Nor stop at flattery or fib. 1 To enter into the spirit of this address, it is necessary to premise, that the poet was threatened with a prosecution in the House of Lords, for the two poems entitled the "Epilogue to the Satires." On which, with great resentment against his enemies, for not being willing to distinguish between "Grave epistles bringing vice to light" and licentious libels, he began a third dialogue, more severe and sublime than the first and second; which being no secret, matters were soon compromised. His enemies agreed to drop the prosecution, and he promised to leave the third dialogue unfinished and suppressed. This affair occasioned this beautiful little poem, to which it alludes throughout, but more especially in the four last stanzas.-Warburton quoted by Bowles. 2 Pallas. 3 A famous toy-shop at Bath. - Warburton. "Athenian Queen! and sober charms! "Come, if you'll be a quiet soul, That dares tell neither truth nor lies, Of those that sing of these poor eyes. TRANSLATION OF A PRAYER OF BRUTUS. Given by Pope to the Rev Aaron Thompson, of Queen's College, Oxford. Mr. Thompson got him to look over a translation of the "Chronicle of Geoffrey of Monmouth," done by himself, and Pope translated these lines from it for him. Pope gives a most amusing account of his interviews with Mr. Thompson in his letters. GODDESS of woods, tremendous in the chase, [From the Letters.] IMPARTIAL JOVE. JOVE was alike to Latian and Phrygian, 1 When she delivers to Eneas a suit of heavenly armour.Warburton. 2 This beautiful lady was fourth daughter of the Earl of Ferrers, who had, at that time, a house at Twickenham. She was the "Fanny, blooming fair," of Lord Chesterfield's once well-known ballad. She died unmarried at Bath in 1762, A POEM. The Third Dialogue is supposed to have been the fragment following, which was found by Lord Bolingbroke, his executor, amongst the sweepings of his study. It is a mere literary curiosity. 1740. O WRETCHED Britian jealous now of all, What God, what mortal, shall prevent they fall? 1 C, his own proud dupe, thinks monarchs things Controls, decides, insults thee ev'ry hour Through clouds of passion P 's views are clear, He foams a patriot to subside a peer; Impatient sees his country bought and sold, 2 GRAVE, righteous S jogs on, till, past belief, He finds himself companion with a thief. To purge and let the blood, with fire and sword, Is all the help stern S- would afford. That those who bind and rob thee, would not kill, Good C hopes, and candidly sits still. 5 Of Ch- s W who speaks at all, No more than of Sir Harry or Sir Paul? 6 Whose names once up, they thought it was not wrong To lie in bed, but sure they lay too long. G -r, C -m, Bt, pay thee due regards, Unless the ladies bid them mind their cards. 8 with wit that must And Cd, who speaks so well, and writes, Whose wit and must needs equally provoke one, 1 They follow reverently each wondrous wight, 3 Rise, rise, great W,3 fated to appear, Speak the loud language princes At length to Britain kind, as to thy What can thy H." Dress in Dutch 4 Though still he travels on no bad pretence, 6 -?7 Or those foul copies of thy face and tongue, 11 12 -y, H——n‚3 10 Or thy dread truncheon, M.'s 13 mighty peer? Blackburn, Archbishop of York, and Hoadley, Bishop of 10 Onslow, the Speaker, and Earl Delawar Winchester. 11 Newcastle's. |