-Aftriferum velox jam circulus orbem But Baffu himfelf is mistaken in one particular, relating to the Commencement of the Action; faying in Book 2. Cap. 8. that Statius opens it with Europa's Rape, whereas the Poet at most only deliberates whether he fhou'd or not: Unde jubetis Ire, Dea? Gentifne canam primordia, dire, Sidonios raptus? &c.. but then exprefsly paffes all this with a Longa retro feries and fays, -Limes mihi carminis efto Indeed there are numberless particulars blame-worthy in our Author: which I have try'd to soften in the Version: Dubiamq; 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, cunctofq; Minores, In the Journey of Polynices is fome Geographical Error, -In mediis audit duo litora campis could hardly be; for the Ifthmus of Corinth is full five Miles over: And Caligantes abrupto fole Mycanas, is not confiftent with what he tells us, in Lib. 4. lin. 305: "that those of Mycana 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. Your's, &c. T July 17. 1709. HE Morning after I parted from you, I found my felf (as I had prophefy'd) 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 recourse in fuch Cafes, a Book. I then began to enter into Acquaintance with the Moralifts, and had juft receiv'd from them fome cold Confolation for the Inconveniences of 'this Life, and the Incertainty of human Affairs; when I perceiv'd my Vehicle to ftop, and heard from the fide of it the dreadful News of a fick Woman preparing to enter it. Tis not eafy to guefs at my Mortification; but being so well fortify'd with Philosophy, I food flood refign'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 Drefs, 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 reason to accufe Nature for making me fhort-fighted than now, when I could not recollect I had ever seen thofe fair Eyes which knew me fo well, and was utterly at a Lofs how to address my felf; till, with a great deal of Simplicity and Innocence, the 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 Phyficians in Town, was returning into the Country, to try what good Air and a new Husband cou'd do to recover her. My Father, you muft know, has fometimes recommended the Study of Phyfic to me, but I never had any Aibition to be a Doctor till this inftant. I ventur'd to prescrite fome Fruit (which I happen'd to have in the Coach) which being forbidden her by her Doctors, she 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 Succefs of the 'forefaid Gentleman before my Eyes, I put on the Gallantry of the old Serpent, 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 fay my Prescription had wrought an immediate Cure: In a word, I had the pleasantest Journey imaginable. But I hope Thus far (methinks) my Letter has fomething of the Air of a Romance, tho' it be true. you will look on what follows as the N 3 greatest of Truths. Truths. That I think myself extremely oblig'd by you in all Points, especially for your kind and ho nourable Information and Advice in a matter of the utmost Concern to me, which I fhall ever acknowledge as the highest Proof at once of your Friendfhip, Juftice, and Sincerity. 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 pleafure at leaft from it, that whereas I muft otherwise have been a little uneafy to know my incapacity of returning to his Obligations; I may now, by bearing his Frailty, exercise 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 yourfelf oblig'd 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 cou'd be proud, in revenge, to find a few Slips in your Verfes, which I read in London, and fince in the Country with more Application and Pleafure: The Thoughts are very juft, and you are fure not to let them fuffer by the Verfificatión. If you wou'd oblige me with the truft of any Thing of your's, I fhou'd be glad to execute any. Commiffions you wou'd give me concerning them. I am here fo perfectly at leifure, that nothing wou'd be fo agreeable an Entertainment to me; but if you will not afford me that, do not deny me at leaft the Satisfaction of your Letters Letters as long as we are absent, if you wou'd 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 continu'd in my Paffion for a rural Life, and in the fame Employ ments of it. Happy the Man, whose Wish and Care, Content to breathe his native Air, In his own Ground. Whofe Herds with Milk, whofe Fields with Bread Whofe Flocks fupply him with Attire, Whofe Trees in Summer yield him Shade, 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 Sleep by Night; Study and Eafe, With Meditation. |