As satirist, Butler unique is enroll'd; In Dryden, the Poet sublime we behold: To these join a Thomson, and high-finish'd Pope; feel; While to these might be added an host worthy praise, Deserving the loudest applause from my lays. " and spoke Latin with almost the correctness and fluency of an ancient Roman; and with all his theológical errors, he "taught that erudition which civilized his country. He is scarcely less conspicuous as an improver of his native tongue. "His language is more studied, more appropriate and correct, " is more the phraseology of a man of learning and sense, than 66 any specimen which preceded him. From his proficiency in "the Greek and Latin, he was enabled to transfuse into his " vernacular dialect many of the excellencies which characterise “those admirable languages; and his style abounds with inver"sions and other peculiarities of classical diction. His English "works were considered as standards of style, as low down as "the reign of James the first." Such once were the Suns that shone forth in our sphere; Reverse now the scene, and let moderns appear. Too pompous to study, thro' thick and thro' thin One would think all the world quaff'd Parnassus's water; (f) (f) But if you'd have me now expose I mean dirty puddle, not oozing from fountain, But slush from the ditch that's in rear of the moun tain. For as it is said, when true glory impels, The loud tongue of Fame ev'ry noble deed tells ; Just know each famous name classic, They must aloud have publish'd banns Philosophy just fram'd to quell Satan, and make of Heav'n an Hell: A vain attempt at being witty, A flim-flam Tale to call forth pity, A spice of sentiment and moral, To 'lure church-goers as with coral, But that when, vice versa, the act's only base, Was the cause why this greatest of writers 'mongst men, Sir Noodle O'Scribblecumdash, took the pen; A pocket-book fill'd with wit, learning, and mind:- As I long aim'd to rank Apollonian nibbler, And thus share the fate of each quill-driving scribbler, I dwell in back garret just six stories high, While opposite lattice, in lieu of the sky, A huge stack of chimneys obscures the day's light, And Sol's poorest blaze never gladdens my sight: From this you may guess I am not over wealthy; As for wine or strong spirits to make Fancy free, bear, Since hunger's a sauce, sir, that beggars compare. Which by weight had been purchas'd, brown sugar to fold, Tea, soap, butter, cheese, starch, blue, dip or choice mould: |