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AN EPISTLE TO M

1781.

How could you, Gay, disgrace To serve a tasteless court twelve Fain would I think our female f Till Bob, § the poet's foe, posse

The dean having been told by an Duke of Queensberry had employed Mr counts and management of his grace's (which however proved to be a mistak his friend.-H. Through the whole pied instructing Gay in his duty as the duke's satirizes the conduct of Sir Robert Walp See the libel on Dr Delany and Lord The Countess of Suffolk.-H. Sir Robert Walpole.-FAULKNER. We have had repeated occasion to re Mrs Howard, Pope, Swift, and Gay, m

were

e offering incense at the shrine of an unpropitious deity; and that George the councils of Queen Caroline, disregar him through the channel of Mrs Howard the favourite, over whom Sir Robert W pet's foe, obtained an ascendancy, thr served, but even augmented, during the influence he had possessed under Geo

AN EPISTLE TO MR GAY. *

1781.

How could you, Gay, disgrace the Muse's train,
Co serve a tasteless court twelve years in vain ! †
Fain would I think our female friend † sincere,
Till Bob, § the poet's foe, possess'd her ear. I

* The dean having been told by an intimate friend, that the Duke of Queensberry had employed Mr Gay to inspect the ac. counts and management of his grace's receivers and steward: which however proved to be a mistake) wrote this Epistle to is friend.-H. Through the whole piece, under the pretext of nstructing Gay in his duty as the duke's auditor of accounts, he satirizes the conduct of Sir Robert Walpole, then prime minister † See the libel on Dr Delany and Lord Carteret.-H.

The Countess of Suffolk.-H.

§ Sir Robert Walpole.-FAULKner.

We have had repeated occasion to remark, that, in courting Mrs Howard, Pope, Swift, and Gay, never perceived that they were offering incense at the shrine of an inefficient, rather that an unpropitious deity; and that George II., entirely guided by the councils of Queen Caroline, disregarded all advances made to him through the channel of Mrs Howard. It was the queen, no the favourite, over whom Sir Robert Walpole, here termed th poet's foe, obtained an ascendancy, through which he not onl preserved, but even augmented, during the reign of George II. the influence he had possessed under George I."

glorious
thy fame.
plied,
ou preside:
as wise and just,

eir trust.
t inflames

's dames,
and cold,
gold.
urites glow,
e below;
thought it fit,
anage of wit,

ve been so blind

an kind.

o it well,
ploy foretel.
ervation right,

e my sight, gear, erfidious leer;

to the Princess Louisa was ofriends considered as a great ing a mere infant. -FAULKNER.

You serve a potent prince,
The ducal coffers trusted to yo
Your honest care may fill, perl
His vassals easy, and the owne
They pay a trifle, and enjoy the

Not so a nation's revenues are
The servant's faults are on the
The people with a sigh their ta:
And, cursing Bob, forget to ble
Next hearken, Gay, to what t
With servants, tenants, and the n
Let all domestics feel your gent
Nor bribe, insult, nor flatter, no
Let due reward to merit be allo
Nor with your kindred half the
Nor think yourself secure in doi
By telling noses with a party str
Be rich; but of your wealth m
At least, before your master's de
Nor in a palace, built with charg
Presume to treat him at his own

*A title given to every duke by the he +Alluding maliciously to the magnifi Robert Walpole's seat, in which he had Dour to receive a royal visit.

ne ducal coffers trusted to your charge, our honest care may fill, perhaps enlarge: is vassals easy, and the owner blest; ey pay a trifle, and enjoy the rest. ot so a nation's revenues are paid: he servant's faults are on the master laid. he people with a sigh their taxes bring, nd, cursing Bob, forget to bless the king. Next hearken, Gay, to what thy charge requires, ith servants, tenants, and the neighbouring squires, et all domestics feel your gentle sway;

or bribe, insult, nor flatter, nor betray.

et due reward to merit be allow'd;

or with your kindred half the palace crowd;
or think yourself secure in doing wrong,
y telling noses with a party strong.

Be rich; but of your wealth make no parade; at least, before your master's debts are paid; Tor in a palace, built with charge immense, resume to treat him at his own expense †.

* A title given to every duke by the heralds.-FAULKNER. + Alluding maliciously to the magnificence of Houghton, Sir obert Walpole's seat, in which he had more than once the hoOur to receive a royal visit.

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oyal heart.

enous breed?

oceed.

vant send
ghbouring friend:
erve a drone,
your own.

our sink the boats,
e your master dotes:
intrench,
brace of tench?
condition hide,

nis pride.
per sell,
n, all is well;
humble airs *
ete your stairs;

lude to some story concerning

Hush-money sends to all the n
His master, unsuspicious of his
Pays all the cost, and gives the
And, should a friend attempt to
His lordship would impute it al
Would love his favourite better
And trust his honesty just so m
Thus families, like realms, with
Are sunk by premier ministers
Some, when an heir succeeds!
And, as they robb'd the father,
A knave, who deep embroils his
Will soon grow necessary to his
His policy consists in setting tra
In finding ways and means, and
He knows a thousand tricks whe
Though
not to cure, yet palliate

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