The occasion of publishing these 'Imitations' was the clamour raised on some of my 'Epistles.' An answer from Horace was both more full, and of more dignity, than any I could have made in my own person; and the example of much greater freedom in so eminent a divine as Dr Donne, seemed a proof with what indignation and contempt a Christian may treat vice or folly, in ever so low or ever so high a station. Both these authors were acceptable to the princes and ministers under whom they lived. The satires of Dr Donne I versified, at the desire of the Earl of Oxford while he was Lord Treasurer, and of the Duke of Shrewsbury who had been Secretary of State; neither of whom looked upon a satire on vicious courts as any reflection on those they served in. And, indeed, there is not in the world a greater error than that which fools are so apt to fall into, and knaves with good reason to encourage, the mistaking a satirist for a libeller; whereas to a true satirist nothing is so odious as a libeller, for the same reason as to a man truly virtuous nothing is so hateful as a hypocrite. 'Uni aequus virtati atque ejus amicis.' SATIRE I. TO MR FORTESCUE.[121] _P_. There are (I scarce can think it, but am told) There are, to whom my satire seems too bold: Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough, And something said of Chartres much too rough. The lines are weak, another's pleased to say, Lord Fanny[122] spins a thousand such a day. Timorous by nature, of the rich in awe, I come to counsel learnèd in the law: 'You'll give me, like a friend both sage and free, Advice; and (as you use) without a fee.' 10 _F_. I'd write no more. _P_. Not write? but then I think, And for my soul I cannot sleep a wink. I nod in company, I wake at night, Fools rush into my head, and so I write. _F_. You could not do a worse thing for your life. Why, if the nights seem tedious--take a wife: Or rather truly, if your point be rest, Lettuce and cowslip-wine; _probatum est_. But talk with Celsus, Celsus will advise Hartshorn, or something that shall close your eyes. 20 Or, if you needs must write, write Caesar's praise, You'll gain at least a knighthood, or the bays. _P_. What! like Sir Richard, rumbling, rough, and fierce, With arms, and George, and Brunswick crowd the verse, Rend with tremendous sound your ears asunder, With gun, drum, trumpet, blunderbuss, and thunder? Or, nobly wild, with Budgell's fire and force, Paint angels trembling round his falling horse?[123] _F_. Then all your Muse's softer art display, Let Carolina smooth the tuneful lay, 30 Lull with Amelia's liquid name the Nine, And sweetly flow through all the royal line. _P_. Alas! few verses touch their nicer ear; They scarce can bear their Laureate twice a-year; And justly Caesar scorns the poet's lays, It is to history he trusts for praise.