Safe from the Bar, the Pulpit et the Throne, yet touch'd and sham'd by Ridicule alone. Ep to Satires Part. ADVERTISEMENT. THE Occafion of publishing these Imitations was the Clamotte rais'd on fome of my Epiftles. An Answer from Horace was both more full, and of more Dignity, than any I could have made in my own perfon; and the Example of much greater Freedom in fo much greater Freedom in fo eminent a Divine as Dr. Donne, feem'd a proof with what indignation and contempt a Chriftian may treat Vice or Folly, in ever fo'low, or ever fo high a Station. Both thefe Authors were acceptable to the Princet and Minițiers under whom they lived. The Satires of Dr. Donne I verfified, at the defire of the Earl of Oxford while he was Lord Treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury, who had been Secretary of State; neither of whom look'd upon a Satire on Vicious Courts as any Reflection on those they ferv'd in. And indeed there is not in the world a greater error, than that which Fools are so apt to fall into, and Knaves with good reafon to encourage, the mista king a satirist for a Libeller; whereas to a true Satirift nothing is fo odions as a Libeller, for the fame reafon as to a man truly virtuous nothing is fo hateful as a Hypocrite. Uni aequus Virtuti atque ejus Amicis.. .P. |