Like Ariftophanes; let him but fmile

On this my honest Work, tho' writ in homely Style:
And if two Lines or three in all the Vein

Appear lefs droffie, read thofe Lines again.
May they perform their Author's juft Intent,
Glow in thy Ears, and in thy Breaft ferment.
But, from the reading of my Book and me,
Be far, ye Foes of Virtuous Poverty:
Who 17 Fortune's Fault upon the Poor can throw;
Point at the tatter'd Coat, and ragged Shoe:
Lay Nature's Failings to their Charge, and jeer
The dim weak Eye-fight, when the Mind is clear.
When thou thy felf, thus infolent in State,
Art but, perhaps, fome Country Magiftrate;
Whofe Pow'r extends no farther than to speak
Big on the Bench, and scanty Weights to break.
Him, alfo, for my Cenfor I difdain,

Who thinks all Science, as all Virtue, vain;
Who counts Geometry, and Numbers, Toys;
And, 18 with his Foot, the facred Duft destroys:
Whofe Pleafure is to fee a Strumpet tear
A Cynick's Beard, and lug him by the Hair.
-Such, all the Morning, to the Pleadings run;
But when the Bus'nefs of the Day is done,
On Dice, and Drink, and Drabs, they spend their Afternoon.

17 Who Fortune's Faults, &c. The People of Rome in the time of Perfius, were apt to fcorn the Grecian Philofophers, particularly the Cynicks and Stoicks, who were the poorest of them.

18 And with his Foot, &c.

Arithmetick and Geometry were Taught on Floors, which were ftrew'd with Duft or Sand; in which the Number and Diagrams were made and drawn, which they might strike out again.

PERSIUS

THE

SECOND SATYR.

By Mr. DRYDEN.

The ARGUMENT.

This Satyr contains a moft Grave and Philofophical Argument, concerning Prayers and Wishes. Undoubtedly it gave occafion to Juvenal's Tenth Satyr; and both of them had their Original from one of Plato's Dialogues, call'd the Second Alcibiades. Our Author has induc'd it with great Maftery of Art, by taking his Rife from the Birth day of his Friend; on which occafions, Prayers were made, and Sacrifices offered by the Native. Perfius commending the Purity of bis Friend's Vows, defcends to the Impions and Immoral Requests of others. The Satyr is divided into three Parts: The first is the Exordium to Macrinus, which the Poet confines within the compafs of four Verfes. The Second relates to the matter of the Prayers and Vows, and an enume

ration of thofe things, wherein Men commonly finn'd against right Reafon, and offended in their Requefs. The third Part confifts in hewing the Repugnancies of thofe Prayers and Wishes, to thofe of other Men, and Inconfiftencies with themfelves. He fhews the Original of these Vows, and fharply inveighs against them: And lastly, not only corrects the falfe Opinion of Mankind concerning them, but gives the true Doctrine of all Addreffes made to Heaven; and how they may be made acceptable to the Powers above, in excellent Precepts; and more worthy of a Chriftian than a Heathen.

The SECOND SATY R.

Dedicated to his Friend Plotius Macrinus, on his Birth-Day.

ET this aufpicious Morning be exprest

With a white Stone, diftinguish'd from the reft: White as thy Fame, and as thy Honour clear; And let new Joys attend, on thy new-added Year. Indulge thy Genius, and o'erflow thy Soul, 'Till thy Wit fparkle, like the chearful Bowl. Pray; for thy Pray'rs the Teft of Heav'n will bear; Nor need'ft thou take the Gods afide, to hear: