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, * 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 eir trust. 's dames, ve been so blind an kind. o it well, 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, Not so a nation's revenues are *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; 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. oyal heart. enous breed? oceed. vant send our sink the boats, nis pride. lude to some story concerning Hush-money sends to all the n |