Category: Poetry
Pope's life as a writer falls into three periods, answering fairly enough to the three reigns in which he worked. Under Queen Anne he was an original poet, but made little money by his verses; under George I. he was chiefly a translator, and made much money by satisfying the F...
P. There are (I scarce can think it, but am told), There are, to whom my satire seems too bold: Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough, And something said of Chartres much too...
2. Chapter 2VI. What would this man? Now upward will he soar, And little less than angel, would be more; Now looking downwards, just as grieved appears To want the strength of bulls, the fu...
1. Chapter 1Pope's life as a writer falls into three periods, answering fairly enough to the three reigns in which he worked. Under Queen Anne he was an original poet, but made little money...
4. Chapter 4Oh, happiness, our being's end and aim! Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name: That something still which prompts the eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare...
13. Chapter 13Dear Colonel, Cobham's and your country's friend! You love a verse, take such as I can send. A Frenchman comes, presents you with his boy, Bows and begins--"This lad, sir, is of...
14. Chapter 14Well, if it be my time to quit the stage, Adieu to all the follies of the age! I die in charity with fool and knave, Secure of peace at least beyond the grave. I've had my purga...
9. Chapter 9P. Shut, shut the door, good John! fatigued, I said, Tie up the knocker, say I'm sick, I'm dead. The dog-star rages! nay 'tis past a doubt, All Bedlam, or Parnassus, is let out:...
7. Chapter 7P. Who shall decide, when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me? You hold the word, from Jove to Momus given, That man was made the standing jest of Hea...
12. Chapter 12While you, great patron of mankind! sustain The balanced world, and open all the main; Your country, chief, in arms abroad defend, At home, with morals, arts, and laws amend; Ho...
5. Chapter 5Yes, you despise the man to books confined, Who from his study rails at human kind; Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance Some general maxims, or be right by chance....
8. Chapter 8'Tis strange, the miser should his cares employ To gain those riches he can ne'er enjoy: Is it less strange, the prodigal should waste His wealth, to purchase what he ne'er can...
3. Chapter 3II. Whether with reason, or with instinct blest, Know, all enjoy that power which suits them best; To bliss alike by that direction tend, And find the means proportioned to thei...
15. Chapter 15Fr. 'Tis all a libel--Paxton (sir) will say. } P. Not yet, my friend! to-morrow 'faith it may } And for that very cause I print to-day. } How should I fret to mangle every line,...
6. Chapter 6What then? let blood and body bear the fault, Her head's untouched, that noble seat of thought: Such this day's doctrine--in another fit She sins with poets through pure love of...
11. Chapter 11"Not to admire, is all the art I know, To make men happy, and to keep them so." (Plain truth, dear Murray, needs no flowers of speech, So take it in the very words of Creech.) T...