Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum:
NATURE DEUS HUMANÆ, mortalis in unum-
Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus, et ater.

C

Utar, et ex modico, quantum res poscet, acervo Tollam: nec metuam, quid de me judicet hæres, Quòd non plura datis invenerit. Et tamen idem Scire volam, quantùm simplex hilarisque nepoti Discrepet, et quantùm discordet parcus avaro. "Distat enim, spargas tua prodigus, an neque sumptum

Invitus facias, nec plura parare labores :

Ac potiùs, puer ut festis Quinquatribus olim,
Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim.

NOTES.

Ver. 274. like Bu-] Bubb Doddington, afterward Lord Melcombe, whose curious Diary has discovered many despicable Court secrets and mean intrigues.

Warton.

Ver. 277. fly, like Oglethorpe,] Employed in settling the colony of Georgia.

Pope.

Here are lines that will justly confer immortality on a man who well deserved so magnificent an eulogium. He was at once a great hero and a great legislator. The vigor of his mind and body have seldom been equalled. The vivacity of his genius continued to a great old age. The variety of his adventures, and the very different scenes in which he had been engaged, makes one regret that his life has never been written. Dr. Johnson once offered to do it, if the General would furnish the materials. Johnson had a great regard for him, for he was one of the first persons that highly, in all companies, praised his London. His first campaign was made under Prince Eugene, against the Turks; and this great General always spoke of Oglethorpe in the highest terms. Neither he nor Eugene loved Marlborough. He once told me (for I had the pleasure of knowing him well,) that Eugene, speaking of Marlborough, said: "There is a great difference in making war en maître, or en avocat." But his settlement of the colony in Georgia

280

Why one like Bu- with pay and scorn content,
Bows and votes on, in Court and Parliament; 275
One driven by strong benevolence of soul,
Shall fly, like Oglethorpe, from pole to pole:
Is known alone to that Directing Power,
Who forms the genius in the natal hour;
That God of Nature, who, within us still,
Inclines our action, not constrains our will;
Various of temper, as of face or frame,
Each individual: His great end the same.
"Yes, Sir, how small soever be my heap,
A part I will enjoy, as well as keep.
My heir may sigh, and think it want of grace
A man so poor would live without a place :
But sure no statute in his favour says,
How free, or frugal, I shall pass my days:

285

I, who at some times spend, at others spare, 290 Divided between carelessness and care.

'Tis one thing "madly to disperse my store;
Another, not to heed to treasure more;

Glad, like a boy, to snatch the first good day,
And pleased, if sordid want be far

NOTES.

away.

295

Georgia gave a greater lustre to his character than even his military exploits.

Warton.

Ver. 280. That God of Nature, &c.] Here our Poet had an opportunity of illustrating his own philosophy; and so giving a much better sense to his original; and correcting both the naturalism and the fate of Horace, which are covertly conveyed in these words:

"Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum,

NATURE DEUS HUMANE."

Warburton.

'Pauperies immunda domûs procul absit: ego,

utrùm

Nave ferar magnâ an parvâ; ferar unus et idem.
Non agimur tumidis velis Aquilone secundo:
Non tamen adversis ætatem ducimus Austris.
Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re,
Extremi primorum, extremis usque priores.
"Non es avarus: abi. Quid? cætera jam simul

isto

Cum vitio fugêre? caret tibi pectus inani
Ambitione? caret mortis formidine, et irâ?
Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas,
Nocturnos lemures, portentaque Thessala rides?
Natales gratè numeras? ignoscis amicis?
Lenior et melior fis accedente senectâ ?
Quid te exempta levat spinis de pluribus una?
Vivere si rectè nescis, decede peritis.

NOTES.

Ver. 302. In power, wit,] The six words in the original, "Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re,"

are wonderfully close, emphatical, and compact; but I think they could hardly be better expressed than by our author. He has not, perhaps, succeeded so well in imitating another line below:

"Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas;"

a line of admirable brevity.

Warton.

Ver. 312. Survey both worlds,] It is observable with what sobriety he has corrected the licentiousness of his original, which made the expectation of another world a part of that superstition he would explode; whereas the Imitator is only for removing the false terrors from the world of spirits; such as the diablerie of witchcraft and purgatory. Warburton.

'What is't to me (a passenger, God wot,)
Whether my vessel be first rate or not?
The ship itself may make a better figure,
But I that sail, am neither less nor bigger.
I neither strut with every favoring breath,300
Nor strive with all the tempest in my teeth.

In

305

power, wit, figure, virtue, fortune, placed Behind the foremost, and before the last. "But why all this of Avarice? I have none." I wish you joy, Sir, of a tyrant gone; But does no other lord it at this hour, As wild and mad? the avarice of power? Does neither rage inflame, nor fear appal? Not the black fear of death that saddens all? With terrors round, can reason hold her throne,310 Despise the known, nor tremble at th' unknown? Survey both worlds, intrepid and entire, In spite of witches, devils, dreams, and fire? Pleased to look forward, pleased to look behind, And count each birth-day with a grateful mind? Has life no sourness, drawn so near its end? Can'st thou endure a foe, forgive a friend? Has age but melted the rough parts away, As winter-fruits grow mild ere they decay? Or will you think, my friend, your business done, When, of a hundred thorns, you pull out one? "Learn to live well, or fairly make You've play'd, and loved, and eat, and drunk your

your

will;

fill:

U 2

Lusisti satis, edisti satis, atque bibisti:

Tempus abire tibi est: ne potum largiùs æquo Rideat, et pulset lasciva decentius ætas.