AN ESSAY ON SATIRE, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF MR POPE. Infcribed to Mr. WARBURTON. By J. BROWN, A. M. CONTENTS. PART I. Of the End and Efficacy of Satire. Fear of Shame univerfal, Ver. 29. in Man as a Spur to Virtue, is generally perverted, Ver. 41. And thus becomes the Occafion of the greatest Follies, Vices, and Miferies, Ver. 61. It is the Work of Satire to rectify this Paffion, to reduce it to its proper Channel, and to convert it into an Incentive to Wisdom and Virtue, Ver. 89. Hence it appears, that Satire may influence those who defy all Laws PART II. Rules for the Conduct of Satire. Juftice and Truth its chief and effential Property, Ver. 169. Prudence in the Application of Wit and Ridicule, whofe Province is, not to explore unknown but to enforce known Truths, Ver. 191. Proper Subjects of Satire are the Manners of prefent Times, Ver. 239. Decency of Expression recommended, Ver. 255. The different Methods in which Folly and Vice ought to be chaftifed, Ver. 269. The Variety of Style and Manner PART III. The Hiftory of Satire. Roman Satirifts, Lucilius, Horace, Perfius, Juvenal, Ver. 357, &c. Caufes of the Decay of Literature, particularly of Satire, Ver. 389. Revival of Satire, Ver. 401. Erafmus one of its principal Reftorers, Ver. 405. Donne, Ver. 411. The Abuse of Satire in England, during the licentious Reign of Charles II. Ver. 415. Dryden, 429. The true Ends of Satire pursued by Boileau in France, Ver. 439; and by Mr. Pope in England, Ver. 445. PART I. FATE gave the word; the cruel arrow sped; And POPE lies number'd with the mighty Dead! Refign'd he fell; fuperior to the dart, That quench'd its rage in YOURS and BRITAIN'S Heart : You mourn: but BRITAIN, lull'd in rest profound, (Unconscious BRITAIN!) flumbers o'er her wound. Exulting dullness ey'd the fetting Light, 4 And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the Night: And fnake-hung ENVY hiffes o'er his Urn: Th' envenom'd Monsters fpit their deadly foam, But You, O WARBURTON! whose eye refin'd 15 Can see the greatness of an honest mind; You vifit oft his awful Page with Care, And view that bright Affemblage treafur'd there; 20 You trace the Chain that links his deep defign, And pour new Luftre on the glowing Line. Yet |