could hardly be; for the Ifthmus of Corinth is full five miles over: And caligantes abrupto fole, Mycenas, is not confiftent with what he tells us, in lib. iv. lin. 305. "that thofe of Mycena came not to the war at this time, because "they were then in confufion by the divifions " of the brothers, Atreus and Thyeftes." Now. from the raifing the Greek army against Thebes, back to the time of this journey of Polynices, is (according to Statius's own account) three years. Yours, &c. LETTER VIII. July 17, 1709. T HE morning after I parted from you, found myself (as I had prophefied) all alone, in an uneafy Stage-coach; a doleful change from that agreeable company I enjoy'd the night before! without the least hope of entertainment but from my last recourfe in such cafes, a Book. I then began to enter into acquaintance with your Moralifts, and had just receiv'd from them fome cold confolation for the inconveniencies of this life, and the uncertainty of human affairs; when I perceived my vehicle to ftop, and heard from the fide of it the dread dreadful news of a fick woman preparing to enter it. "Tis not easy to guess at my mortification, but being fo well fortify'd with philo-fophy, I stood resign'd with a stoical conftancy to endure the worst of evils, a fick woman. I was indeed a little comforted to find by her voice and dress, that he was young and a gentlewoman; but no fooner was her hood remov'd, but I faw one of the finest faces I ever beheld, and, to increase my surprize, heard her falute me by my name. I never had more reafon to accuse nature for making me short fighted than now, when I could not recollect I had ever feen those fair eyes which knew me fo well, and was utterly at a lofs how to address myfelf; till with a great deal of fimplicity and innocence she let me know (even before I discover'd my ignorance) that the was the daughter of one in our neighbourhood, lately marry'd, who having been confulting her physicians in town, was returning into the country, to try what good air and a husband could do to recover her. My father, you must know, has fometimes recommended the study of phyfic to me, but I never had any ambition to be a doctor till this inftant. I ventur'd to prescribe some fruit (which I happen'd to have in the coach) which being forbidden her by her doctors, she had the more inclination to. In short, I tempted, I tempted, and she eat; nor was I more like the Devil than fhe like Eve. Having the good fuccefs of the 'forefaid tempter before my eyes, I put on the gallantry of the old ferpent, and in fpite of my evil form accofted her with all the gaiety I was mafter of; which had fo good effect, that in less than an hour she grew pleafant, her colour return'd, and fhe was pleas'd to say my prescription had wrought an immediate cure: In a word, I had the pleasantest journey imaginable. Thus far (methinks) my letter has something of the air of a romance, the' it be true. But I hope you will look on what follows as the greatest of truths, that I think myself extremely obliged by you in all points; especially for your kind and honourable information and advice in a matter of the utmoft concern to me, which I shall ever acknowledge as the highest proof at once of your friendship, justice, and fincerity. At the fame time be affur'd, that Gentleman a we spoke of, shall never by any alteration in a Mr. Wycherley.-From | compofition. Little virtue, his last letters to Mr. Pope, and an exceffive affectation the Reader may perceive of being witty, joined to the fomething of a growing cold- common infirmities of old nefs and difguft, apparently age, jealousy and lofs of meproceeding from the liberties mory, are fufficient to achis young friend had taken count for the inftability of with his verfification and his friendship, tho' we were not in me discover my knowledge of his mistake; the hearty forgiving of which is the only kind of return I can poffibly make him for so many favours: And I may derive this pleasure at leaft from it, that whereas I muft otherwise have been a little uneafy to know my incapacity of returning his obligations, I may now, by bearing his frailty, exercife my gratitude and friendship more than himself either is, or perhaps ever will be, fenfible of. Ille meos, primus qui me fibi junxit, amores Abftulit; ille habeat fecum, fervetque fepulchro ! But in one thing, I must confess you have yourself obliged me more than any man, which is, that you have fhewed me many of my faults, to which as you are the more an implacable enemy, by fo much the more you are a kind friend to me. I could be proud in revenge, to find a few flips in your verses, which I read in London, and fince in the country, with more application and pleasure: the thoughts are very juft, and you are fure not to let them fuffer by the versification. If you would oblige me with the truft of any thing of yours, I should be glad to execute any commiffions you would not to suppose (what was the fact) that our Poet had ill offices done him by thofe who were generally about the old man. For, (as Mr. Pope rightly obferves) each ill Author is as bad a friend. give me concerning them. I am here fo perfectly at leifure, that nothing would be fo agreeable an entertainment to me; but if you will not afford me that, do not deny me at least the fatiffaction of your letters as long as we are absent, if you would not have him very unhappy, who is very fincerely Your, &c. Having a vacant space here, I will fill it with a fhort Ode on Solitude, which I found yesterday by great accident, and which I find by the date, was written when I was not twelve years old that you may perceive how long I have continued in my paffion for a tural life, and in the fame employments of it. Happy the man, whofe wifh and care, A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground. Whofe herds with milk, whofe fields with bread, In winter, fire. Bleft who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days, and years flide foft away, In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day. Sound |
