The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq. Volume 3; With His Last Corrections, Additions, and Improvements. Published by Mr. Warburton. with Occasional Notes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1751 Excerpt: ...wife, but others weak. But grant that those can conquer, these can cheat; 'Tis phrase absurd to call a Villain Great: 230 Who wickedly is wise, or madly brave, Is but the more a fool, the more a knave. Who noble ends by noble means obtains, Or failing, smiles in exile or in chains, Like good Aurelius let him reign, or bleed 235 Like Socrates, that Man is great indeed. What's Fame? a fancy'd lise in others breath, A thing beyond us, ev'n before our death. Just what you hear, you have, and what's unknown The fame (my Lord) if Tully's, or your own. All that we seel of it begins and ends 241 In the small circle of our foes or friends; To all beside as much an empty shade An Eugene living, as a Caesar dead; Alike or when, or where, they shone, or Ihine, 245 Or on the Rubicon, or on the Rhine. A Wit's a feather, and a Chief a rod; An honest Man's the noble work of God. Fame but from death a villain's name can save, As Justice tears his body from the grave; 250 When what t'oblivion better were resign'd, Is hung on high, to poison half mankind. All fame is foreign, but of true desert; Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart: One self-approving hour whole years out-weighs Of stupid starers, and of loud huzzas; 256 And more true joy Marcellus exil'd feels, Than Caesar with a senate at his heels. In Parts superior what advantage lies? Tell (for You can) what is it to be wise? 260 'Tis but to know how little can be known; To see all others faults, and seel our own: Condemn'd in bus'ness or in arts to drudge, Without a second, or without a judge: Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land? All sear, none aid you, and sew understand. 266 Painful preheminence yourself to view Above lise's weakness, and its comforts too. Bring then these blessings to .