[86] 'Thy name:' Dr Tobias Smollett, the well-known author of 'Roderick Random, 'The Regicide,' an unfortunate tragedy, and one of the editors of the 'Critical Review,'is here satirised. [87] 'Fopperies of France,' &c.: in these lines the poet refers to Murphy's practice of vamping up French plays, and to his 'Desert Island,' a ridiculous pastoral drama. [88] 'Modern tragedy:' Mr Murphy again. [89] 'Vain tyrant,' &c.: Garrick is here meant; he had displeased Churchill by pretending that he had written 'The Rosciad' to gain the freedom of the playhouse. He apologised very humbly to Churchill, and a reconciliation took place. [90] 'A man:' Dr Smollett again. [91] 'Expose the man:' referring to some personal lines on one Mr John Palmer, which occurred in the first edition, but which he expunged. NIGHT.[92] AN EPISTLE TO ROBERT LLOYD. Contrarius evehor orbi.--OVID, Met. lib. ii. When foes insult, and prudent friends dispense, In pity's strains, the worst of insolence, Oft with thee, Lloyd, I steal an hour from grief, And in thy social converse find relief. The mind, of solitude impatient grown, Loves any sorrows rather than her own. Let slaves to business, bodies without soul, Important blanks in Nature's mighty roll, Solemnise nonsense in the day's broad glare, We Night prefer, which heals or hides our care. 10 Rogues justified, and by success made bold, Dull fools and coxcombs sanctified by gold, Freely may bask in fortune's partial ray, And spread their feathers opening to the day; But threadbare Merit dares not show the head Till vain Prosperity retires to bed. Misfortunes, like the owl, avoid the light; The sons of Care are always sons of Night. The wretch, bred up in Method's drowsy school, Whose only merit is to err by rule, 20 Who ne'er through heat of blood was tripping caught, Nor guilty deem'd of one eccentric thought; Whose soul directed to no use is seen, Unless to move the body's dull machine, Which, clock-work like, with the same equal pace Still travels on through life's insipid space, Turns up his eyes to think that there should be, Among God's creatures, two such things as we; Then for his nightcap calls, and thanks the powers Which kindly gave him grace to keep good hours. 30 Good hours!--fine words--but was it ever seen That all men could agree in what they mean? Florio, who many years a course hath run In downright opposition to the sun, Expatiates on good hours, their cause defends With as much vigour as our prudent friends. The uncertain term no settled notion brings, But still in different mouths means different things; Each takes the phrase in his own private view; With Prudence it is ten, with Florio two. 40 Go on, ye fools! who talk for talking sake, Without distinguishing, distinctions make; Shine forth in native folly, native pride,