PART I. Of the End and Efficacy of Satire. The Love of Glory and Fear of Shame universal, ver. 29. This Passion, implanted in Man as a Spur to Virtue, is generally perverted, ver. 41. And thus becomes the Occasion of the greatest Follies, Vices, and Miseries, ver. 61. It is the Work of Satire to rectify this Passion, 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 Human and Divine, ver. 99. An Objection answered, ver. 131. PART II. Rules for the Conduct of Satire. Justice and Truth its chief and effential Property, ver. 169. Prudence in the Application of Wit and Ridicule, whose Province is, not to explore unknown, but to enforce known Truths, ver. 191. Proper Subjects of Satire are the Manners of present Times, ver. 239. Decency of Expression recommended, ver. 255. The different Methods in which Folly and Vice ought to be chastised, ver. 269. The Variety of Style and Manner which thefe two Subje&ts require, ver. 277. The Praise of Virtue may be admitted with Propriety, ver. 315. Caution with regard to Panegyric, ver. 329. The Dignity of true Satire, ver. 341. PART III. The History of Satire. Roman Satirists, Lucilius, Horace, Persius, Juvenal, ver. 357, &c. Causes of the Decay of Literature, particularly of Satire, ver. 389. Revival of Satire, 401. Erasmus one of its principal Restorers, ver. 405. Donne, ver. 411. The Abuse of Satire in England, during the licentious Reign of Charles II. ver. 415. Dryden, ven 429. The true Ends of Satire pursued by Boileau in France, ver. 439. and by Mr. Pope in England, ver. 445 PART PART 1. FAT ATE gave the word : the cruel arrow sped ; And Pope lies number'd with the mighty Dead! Refign'd he fell ; superior to the dart, That quench'd its rage in Yours and Britain's Heart: You mourn : but Britain, lull'd in rest profound, S eye 15 25 Satire's bright Form, and fix her equal Law; Pleas'd B2 30 Pleas'd if from hence th' unlearn’d may comprehend, And reverence His and Satire's generous End. In every breast there burns an active flame, The Love of Glory, or the Dread of Shame : The Passion One, though various it appear, As brighten’d into Hope, or dimm’d by Fear. The lisping Infant, and the hoary Sire, And Youth and Manhood feel the heart-born fire : The Charms of Praise the Coy, the Modest woo, 35 And only fly, that Glory may pursue : She, Power refiftless, rules the wise and great ; Bends ev’n reluctant Hermits at her feet; Haunts the proud City, and the lowly Shade, And sways alike the Sceptre and the Spade. 40 Thus Heaven in Pity wakes the friendly Flame, To urge Mankind on Deeds that merit Fame : But Man, vain Man, in Folly only wise, Rejects the Manna sent him from the Skies : With raptures hears corrupted Passion's call, 45 Still proudly prone to mingle with the stall. As each deceitful Shadow tempts his view, He for the imag'd Substance quits the true; Eager to catch the visionary Prize, In quest of Glory plunges deep in Vice; 50 Till madly zealous, impotently vain, He forfeits every Praise he pants to gain. Thus still imperious Nature plies her part; And still her Dictates work in every heart, Each Power that fovereign Nature bids enjoy, 55 Man may corrupt, but Man can ne'er destroy. 60 65 70 Like mighty rivers, with resftlefs force And sure, the deadliest Foe to Virtue's flame, Behold yon Wretch, by impious fashion driven, 75 Believes and trembles, while he scoffs at Heaven. By weakness strong, and bold through fear alone, He dreads the fneer by shallow Coxcombs thrown ; Dauntless pursues the path Spinoza trod; To man a Coward, and a Brave to God. 80 Faith, Justice, Heaven itself now quit their hold, When to false Fame the captiv’d Heart is sold : Hence, blind to truth, relentless Cato dy'd ; Nought could fubdue his Virtue, but his Pride. Hence chaste Lucretia's Innocence betray'd Fell by that Honour which was meant its aid. Thus 85 B 3 |