The translator puts in a little burlesque now and then into Virgil, for a ragout to his cheated subscribers.[473]
I wonder that any man, who could not but be conscious of his own unfitness for it, should go to amuse the learned world with such an undertaking! A man ought to value his reputation more than money; and not to hope that those who can read for themselves will be imposed upon, merely by a partially and unseasonably celebrated name.[474] _Poetis quidlibei audendi_ shall be Mr Dryden's motto, though it should extend to picking of pockets.[475]
An Ape.--A crafty ape dressed up in a gaudy gown--whips put into an ape's paw, to play pranks with--none but apish and papish brats will heed him.[476]
An Ass.--A camel will take upon him no more burden than is sufficient for his strength, but there is another beast that crouches under all.[477]
A Frog.--Poet Squab endued with Poet Maro's spirit! an ugly croaking kind of vermin, which would swell to the bulk of an ox.[478]
A Coward.--A Clinias or a Damaetas, or a man of Mr Dryden's own courage.[479]
A Knave.--Mr Dryden has heard of Paul, the knave of Jesus Christ; and, if I mistake not, I've read somewhere of John Dryden, servant to his Majesty.[480]
A Fool.--Had he not been such a self-conceited fool.[481]--Some great poets are positive blockheads.[482]
A Thing.--So little a thing as Mr Dryden.[483]
MR POPE is an open and mortal enemy to his country, and the commonwealth of learning.[484] Some call him a Popish Whig, which is directly inconsistent.[485] Pope, as a papist, must be a Tory and High-flyer.[486] He is both a Whig and Tory.[487]
He hath made it his custom to cackle to more than one party in their own sentiments.[488]
In his miscellanies, the persons abused are--the King, the Queen, his late Majesty, both Houses of Parliament, the Privy Council, the Bench of Bishops, the Established Church, the present Ministry, &c. To make sense of some passages, they must be construed into royal scandal.[489]
He is a popish rhymester, bred up with a contempt of the Sacred Writings.[490] His religion allows him to destroy heretics, not only with his pen, but with fire and sword; and such were all those unhappy wits whom he sacrificed to his accursed popish principles.[491] It deserved vengeance to suggest that Mr Pope had less infallibility than his namesake at Rome.[492]