CONTENTS.

PART I.

F the End and Efficacy of Satire. The Love of Glory and Fear of Shame univerfal, 29. This Passion, implanted in Man as a Spur to Virtue, is generally perverted, ✰ 41. And thus become the Occafion of the greatest Follies, Vices, and Miseries, * 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, * 89. Hence it appears, that Satire may influence those who defy all Laws Human and Divine, & 99. An Objection answered, * 131.

PART II..

Rules for the Conduct of Satire. Justice and Truth its chief and effential Property, * 169. Prudence in the Application of Wit and Ridicule, whose Province is, not to explore unknown, but to enforce known Truths,

191. Proper Subjects of Satire are the Manners of peresent times, * 239. Decency of Expression recommended, 255. The different Methods in which Folly and Vice ought to be chastised, ✰ 269. The Variety of Style and Manner which these two Subjects require, 277. The Praise of Virtue may be admitted with Propriety, 315. Caution with regard to Panegyric, 329. The Dignity of true Satire, * 341.

PART III.

The History of Satire. Roman Satirists, Lucilius, Horace, Perfius, Juvenal, 357, etc. Causes of the Decay of Literature, particularly of Satire, & 389. Revival of Satire, * 401. Erasmus one of its principal Restorers, $ 405. Donne, $ 411. The Abuse of Satire in England, during the licentious Reign of Charles II,

415. Dryden, 429. The true Ends of Satire pursued by Boileau in France, 439; and by Mr. Pope in England, 445.

F

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, 5

(Unconscious Britain!) slumbers o'er her wound.

Exulting Dulness ey'd the setting Light,

And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the Night:

Rouz'd at the signal, Guilt collects her train,

And counts the Triumphs of her growing Reign: 10

With inextinguishable rage they burn;
And Snake-hung Envy hisses o'er his Urn:
Th' envenom'd Monsters spit their deadly foam,
To blast the Laurel that surrounds his Tomb.

But You, OWARBURTON! whose eye refin'd 15

Can see the greatness of an honest mind;

Can see each Virtue and each Grace unite,

And taste the Raptures of a pure Delight;

You visit oft his awful Page with Care,

And view that bright Affemblage treasur'd there; 20

You trace the Chain that links his deep design,
And pour new Lustre on the glowing Line.
Yet deign to hear the efforts of a Muse,
Whose eye, not wing, his ardent flight pursues:
Intent from this great Archetype to draw
SATIRE'S bright Form, and fix her equal Law;
Pleas'd if from hence th' unlearn'd may comprehend,
And rev'rence Hrs and SATIRE'S gen'rous End.

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30

In ev'ry Breast there burns an active flame, The Love of Glory, or the Dread of Shame: The Paffion ONE, tho' various it appear, As brighten'd into Hope, or dimm'd by Fear. The lifping 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, Pow'r resistlefs, rules the wife 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.

Thus Heav'n in Pity wakes the friendly Flame, To urge Mankind on Deeds that merit Fame: But Man, vain Man, in folly only wife, Rejects the Manna fent him from the Skies:

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