encing contrary actions, ver. 100. II. Yet, to form Characters, we can only take the strongest actions of a man's life, and try to make them agree: The utter uncertainty of this, from Nature itself, and from Policy, ver. 120. Characters given according to the rank of men of the world, ver. 135. And fome reafon for it, ver. 140. Education alters the Nature, or at least Character, of many, ver. 149. Actions, Paffions, Opinions, Manners, Humours, or Principles, all fubject to change. No judging by Nature, from ver. 158. to ver. 178. III. It only remains to find (if we can) his RULING PASSION: That will certainly influence all the reft, and can reconcile the feeming or real inconfiftency of all his actions, ver. 175. Inftanced in the extraordinary Character of Clodio, ver. 179. A caution against mistaking second qnalities for first, which will destroy all possibility of the knowledge of mankind, ver. 210. Examples of the strength of the Ruling Paffion, and its continuation to the laft breath, ver. 222, &c. EPISTLE Y EPISTLE I. ES, you defpife the man to Books confin'd, Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance, 5 That from his cage cries Cuckold, Whore, and Knave, And yet the fate of all extremes is such, Maxims are drawn from Notions, these from Guess. That each from other differs, first confefs; Next, that he varies from himself no lefs; Our depths who fathoms, or our fhallows finds, ΤΟ 15 20 25 His Principle of action once explore, That inftant 'tis his Principle no more. Like following life through creatures you diffect, Yet more; the difference is as great between 30 The optics feeing, as the objects feen. All Manners take a tincture from our own; Or come discolour'd through our Passions shown. 35 Contracts, inverts, and gives ten thousand dyes. Nor will Life's stream for observation stay, It hurries all too faft to mark their way: In vain fedate reflections we would make, When half our knowledge we must snatch, not take. 40 Is thus, perhaps, the cause of most we do. True, fome are open, and to all men known : 50 Others, so very close, they're hid from none; (So darkness strikes the sense no less than light) Thus gracious Chandos is belov'd at fight; And And every child hates Shylock, though his foul All know 'tis Virtue, for he thinks them knaves: 55 All fee 'tis Vice, and itch of vulgar praise. 60 When Flattery glares, all hate it in a Queen, While one there is who charms us with his Spleen. 65 Though strong the bent, yet quick the turns of mind : 70 See the fame man, in vigour, in the gout; Alone, in company; in place, or out; Mad at a Fox-chase, wise at a Debate ; 75 Gatius is ever moral, ever grave, Who would not praise Patricio's high defert, H 80. He He thanks you not, his Pride is in Picquette, 25 What made (fay, Montagne, or more fage Charron !) Otho a warrior, Cromwell a buffoon? A perjur'd Prince a leaden faint revere, A godlefs Regent tremble at a Star? Faithlefs through Piety, and dup'd through Wit? Know, God and Nature only are the fame : Would from th' apparent What conclude the Why, That what we chanc'd was what we meant to do, Some plunge in business, others shave their crowns: To ease the Soul of one oppreffive weight, This quits an Empire, that embroils a State: VARIATION. After ver. 86. in the former Editions, Triumphant leaders at an army's head, 90 95 105 Not Hemm'd round with glories, pilfer cloth or bread; |