Content if hence th’unlearn'd their wants may view,
The learn'd reflect on what before they knew : 740
Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame;
Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame;
Averse alike to flatter or offend;
Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 744

AN

ESSAY ON SATIRE.

OCCASIONED

BY THE DEATH OF MR. POPE.

INSCRIBED TO

MR. WARBURTON.

BY J. BROWN, A.M.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

OF the end and efficacy of Satire. The love of
glory, and fear of shame universal, v. 29. This pas.
sion, implanted in man as a spur to virtue, is gene-
rally perverted, v. 41; and thus becomes the occa.
sion of the greatest follies, vices, and miseries, v. 61.
It is the work of Satire to rectify this passion, to
reduce it to its proper channel, and to convert it into
an incentive to wisdom and virtue, v. 89. Hence it
appears that Satire

may

influence those who defy all
laws, human and divine, v. 99. An objection answer-
ed, v. 131.

PART II.

Rules for the conduct of Satire. Justice and truth
its chief and essential property, v. 169. Prudence in
the application of wit and ridicule, whose province is
not to explore unknown but to enforce known truths,
v. 191. Proper subjects of Satire are the manners of
the present times, v. 239. Decency of Expression re-
commended, v. 255. The different methods in which
folly and vice ought to be chastised, v. 269. The va-
riety of style and manner which these two subjects
require, v. 277. The praise of virtue may be admit.
ted with propriety, v. 315. Caution with regard to
panegyric, v. 329. The dignity of true Satire, v. 341.

PART III.

The history of Satire. Roman Satirists, Lucillus,
Horace, Persius, Juvenal, v. 357, &c. Causes of de.
cay of literature, particularly of Satire, v. 389. Revi.
val of Satire, v. 401. Erasmus one of its principal
restorers, v. 405. Donne, v.411. The abuse of Satire
in England during the licentious reign of Charles II.
v. 415.

Dryden, v. 429. The true ends of Satire
pursued by Boilean in France, v. 439, and by Mr. Pope
in England, v. 445.

AN

ESSAY ON SATIRE.

PART I. FATE

gave the word; the cruel arrow sped, And Pope lies number'd with the mighty dead! Resign’d he fell; superior to the art That quench'd its rage in your's and Britajn's heart. You mourn; but Britain, lull'd in rest profound, 5 (Unconscious Britain !) slumbers o'er her wound. Exulting Dulness ey'd the setting light, And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the night: Rous'd at the signal, Guilt collects her train, And counts the triumphs of her growing reign: 10 With inextinguishable rage they burn, And snake-hung Envy hisses o'er his urn : Th' envenom'd monsters spit their deadly foam To blast the laurel that surrounds his tomb.

But you, O Warburton! whose eyes refin'd, 15 Can see the greatness of an honest mind; Can see each virtue and each grace unite, And taste the raptures of a pure delight; You visit oft his awful page with care, And view that bright assemblage treasur'd there; 20 You trace the chain that links his deep design, And pour new lustre on the glowing line.

Yet deign to hear the efforts of a Muse
Whose eye, not wing, his ardent flight pursues :
Intent from this great archetype to draw

25
Satire's bright form, and fix her equal law;
Pleas'd if from hence th’ unlearn'd may comprehend,
And rev'rence his and Satire's gen'rous end.

In ev'ry breast there burns an active flame, The love of glory, or the dread of shame : 30 The passion one, tho’ various it appear, As brighten'd into hope or dimm'd by fear. The lisping infant and the hoary sire, And youth and manhood, feel the heart-born fire: The charms of praise the coy, the modest, woo, 35 And only fly that glory may pursue: She, pow'r resistless, rules the wise and great, Bends ev'n reluctant hermits at her feet; Haunts the proud city and the lowly shade, And sways alike the sceptre and the spade. 40

Thus heav'n in pity wakes the friendly flame, To urge

mankind on deeds that merit fame : But man, vain man ! in folly only wise, Rejects the inanna sent him from the skies : With rapture hears corrupted Passion's call, Still proudly prone to mingle with the stall. As each deceitful shadow tempts his view, He for the imag'd substance quits the true;