have no End; and we have as good an Opinion of our own Souls alfo.

u

You faw and fmild.] Since Angels are suppos'd to be particularly concern'd for mankind, (tho' I confefs I think we are very unworthy of that Honour) they must needs be pleas'd with feeing in us any fort of Virtue, efpecially this fort of Friendfhip, fo much practis'd by themselves.

W.

But

Life received.] Befides that BRUTUS received his Life once from CÆSAR on the account of the Civil War, he was very much fufpected to be his Son; and the more, because of his great Fondness of him. 'Tis certain the time of CESAR's Intrigue with SERVILIA is very confiftent with it. his forgiving him at Pharfalia was not fo much as the leaft Proof of it; for the Mother's paft Favours had been alone fufficient to procure a Pardon for her Son, especially with so merciful a Nature as CÆSAR'S.

*Obligations.] This to fome Humours is like enough to appear an over-refinement; and I expect they will rather fancy to have the pleasure of receiving good turns, let who will take the other of doing them. But I appeal to many, if they

have not found the doing a Kindness a much greater Satisfaction than receiving one. Yet I admit the latter part to be very agreeable alfo, when 'tis from worthy Perfons; being a new Inftance of their Efteem and Favour.

All Because a Fact committed in Paffion, or by Inadvertence, is nothing in comparison with one done on Deliberation, and by a long-lay'd Defign: Which so far excus'd ALEXANDER's killing of CLYTUS, that it has lessen'd his great Fame of being generous and good-natur'd.

2

The Center.] This was fo great a Defign, that none but such an extraordinary Person as BRUTUS could have brought it about by his Influence over all the Confpirators; who being the chief Patriots among the nobleft People that ever the Sun fhin'd on, I cannot but think BRUTUS appears higher at the Head of fuch an illuftrious Party, than CÆSAR himself commanding the whole Roman Empire.

a

* Ample Marks.] CÆSAR had in a publick manner given BRUTUS the preference to CASSIUS, and to all Rome befides, by making him chief Prætor a few Days before he killed him,

• Em.

b

Empire.] It was generally believ'd in Rome, that CASAR thought BRUTUS the fittest Man to fucceed him; which therefore excufes BRUTUS fo far, as it is a Proof of his preferring the good of the Common-wealth not only to his best Friend, but to the higheft Temptation of Interest and Ambition that could poflibly be laid in any Man's

way.

THE

THE

RAPTURE.

I

Yield, I yield, and can no longer stay

My eager Thoughts, that force themselves away,
Sure, none infpir'd (whose Heat transports 'em still
Above their Reason, and beyond their Will)
Can firm against the strong Impulse remain :
Cenfure it self were not fo fharp a Pain.
Let vulgar Minds fubmit to vulgar Sway ;
What Ignorance fhall think, or Malice fay,
To me are Trifles; if the knowing few,

Who can fee Faults, but can fee Beauties too,
Applaud that Genius which themselves partake,
And fpare the Poet for the Mufe's fake.

The

The Muse who raises me from humble Ground,
To view the vast and various World around:
How fast I mount! In what a wond'rous way
I grow transported to this large Survey!

I value Earth no more, and far below
Methinks I fee the bufy Pigmies go.

My Soul entranc'd is in a Rapture brought
Above the common Tracts of vulgar Thought:
With Fancy wing'd, I feel the purer Air,

And with Contempt look down on human Care.
Airy Ambition, ever foaring high,
Stands firft expos'd to my cenforious Eye.

Behold some toiling up a slipp'ry Hill,

Where, tho' arriv'd, they must be toiling still:
Some, with unfteady Feet, juft fall'n to Ground;
Others at top, whofe Heads are turning round,
To this high Sphere it happens ftill that fome,
The moft unfit, are forwardeft to come ;
Yet among these are Princes forc'd to chufe,
Or feck out such as would perhaps refuse.