has not obferv'd) for inftead of confining his narration to one year, it is manifeftly exceeded in the very firft two books: The narration begins with Oedipus's prayer to the Fury to promote difcord betwixt his fons; afterward the Poet exprefly defcribes their entring into the agreement of reigning a year by turns; and Polynices takes his flight from Thebes on his brother's refufal to refign the throne. All this is in the first book; in the next Tydeus is fent ambaffador to Eteocles, and demands his refignation in these terms, Aftriferum velox jam circulus orbem Torfit, & amiffe redierunt montibus umbra, But Boffu himfelf is miftaken in one particular, relating to the commencement of the action; faying in book ii. cap. 8. that Statius opens it with Europa's Rape, whereas the Poet at moft only deliberates whether he should or not*. Unde jubetis Ire, Dea? gentifne canam primordia dira, but then exprefly paffes all this with a longa retro fe ries and fays Oedipoda confufa domus. limes mihi carminis efto Indeed there are numberlefs particulars blame worthy in our author, which I have try'd to foften in the version: *That was the fame to Boffu's purpose; which was only to fhew, that there were epic Poets fo ignorant, or negligent of compofition, as not to know where their fubject should begin. VOL. VII. F dubiamque dubiamque jugo fragor impulit Oeten In latus,& geminis vix fluctibus obftitit Ifthmus, is most extravagantly hyperbolical: Nor did I ever read a greater piece of tautology than Vacua cum folus in aula Refpiceres jus omne tuum, cunctofque minores, In the journey of Polynices is fome geographical error, lin. 305. In mediis audit duo litora campis 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. "that those of Mycenæ came not to the war at this time, because they were then in con"fufion 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. HE morning after I parted from you, I found Tmyfelf (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 leaft hope of entertainment but from my last recourfe in fuch cafes, a book. I then began to enter into acquaintance with your Moralifts, and had juft receiv'd from them fome cold confolation for the inconveniencies of this life, and the uncertainty of human affairs; when I perceiv'd my vehicle to ftop, and and heard from the fide of it the dreadful news of a fick woman preparing to enter it. 'Tis not easy to guefs at my mortification, but being fo well fortify'd with philosophy, I ftood refign'd with a ftoical conftancy to endure the worft of evils, a fick woman. I was indeed a little comforted to find, by her voice and dress, that she 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 furprize, heard her falute me by my name. I never had more reafon to accufe nature for making me fhort fighted than now, when I could not recollect I had ever seen those fair eyes which knew me fo well, and was utterly at a lofs how to addrefs myself; till with a great deal of fimplicity and innocence fhe let me know (even before I difcover'd my ignorance) that she 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 ftudy of phyfic to me, but I never had any ambition to be a doctor till this inftant. I ventur'd to prescribe fome fruit (which I happen'd to have in the coach) which being forbidden her by her doctors, fhe had the more inclination to. In fhort, I tempted, and fhe eat; nor was I more like the Devil than the like Eve. Having the good good fuccefs of the 'forefaid Tempter before my eyes, 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 fhe grew pleasant, her colour return'd, and she was pleas'd to fay my prescription had wrought an immediate cure: In a word, I had the pleasantest journey imaginable. Thus far (methinks) my letter has fomething of the air of a romance, tho' it be true. But I hope you will look on what follows as the greateft of truths, F 2 truths, that I think myself extremely obliged by you in all points; efpecially for your kind and, honourable information and advice in a matter of the utmoft concern to me, which I fhall ever acknowledge as the highest proof at once of your friendship, juftice, and fincerity. At the fame time be affur'd, that Gentleman * we fpoke of, fhall never by any alteration in me difcover my knowledge of his miftake; the hearty forgiving of which is the only kind of return I can poffibly make him for fo many favours: And I may derive this pleasure at least 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 But in one thing, I must confefs you have your felf obliged me more than any man, which is, that you have fhew'd 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 verfes, which I read in London, and fince in the Mr. Wycherley.-From his last letters to Mr. Pope, the Reader may perceive fomething of a growing coldnefs and disguft, apparently proceeding from the liberties his young friend had taken with his verfification and compofition. Little virtue, and an exceffive affectation of being witty, joined to the common infirmities of old age, jealoufy and lofs of memory, are fufficient to account for the inftability of his friendship, tho' we were not to fuppofe (what was the fact) that our Poet had ill offices done him by those who were generally about the old man. For, (as Mr. Pope rightly obferves) each ill Author is as bad a friend. country, country, with more application and pleasure: the thoughts are very juft, and you are fure not to let them fuffer by the verfification. If you would oblige me with the truft of any thing of yours, I fhould be glad to execute any commiffions you would give me concerning them. I am here fo perfectly at leisure, 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 fatisfaction of your letters as long as we are abfent, 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 rural 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. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks fupply him with attire, Whose trees in fummer yield him shade, In winter, fire, Bleft, who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days, and years flide soft away, Quiet by day, Sound fleep by night; ftudy and ease, Together mix'd; fweet recreation, With meditation. |