[Footnote a: It is surely allowable to treat a Man after this manner who abuses all others, and to make this just Reflexion, since in his new _Dunciad_ he not only calls _Mummius_ a Fool, but uses this filthy Expression--who stinks above the Ground.]
[Footnote b: See this farther explained in the ingenious Dialogues of _Sawney_ and _Colley_.]
[Footnote c: Tho' he was informed that Wreck was improper, yet he was resolv'd it should be inscrib'd, because the Nonsense was in his Edition of _Shakespear_.]
Beware all ye, whom he as Friends carest, How ye entrust your Secrets to his Breast. (a) On Backs of Letters was his _Homer_ wrote, All your Affairs disclos'd to save a Groat. He valu'd not to whom he gave Offence; He sav'd his Paper, tho' at your Expence.
[Footnote a: When he sent his _Homer_ to his Acquaintance for their Emendations, it was written on the Back of the Letters of his Correspondents, whether of Business, Complement or Secrecy. A shameful Instance of Avarice and Treachery!]
But shall a low-born Wretch the best traduce, And call it Poetry, because Abuse? The Heav'n-born Muse, by Truth and Justice sway'd, To false Aspersions ne'er vouchsafes her Aid. When unprovok'd, not vengeful Wasps molest, Nor dart their Stings, when undisturb'd their Nest. Thy Muse, by _Virgil_'s Harpies taught to write, Scatters her Ordure in her screaming Flight; Sacred Religion and her Priests defames, And against Monarchs saucily exclames. (a) The Fathers, of our Church the surest Guides, As a poor Pack of Punsters she derides. But chief O _Cam!_ and _Isis!_ dread her Frown, (b) Chain'd to the Footstool of the Goddess' Throne. No Order, no Degree escapes her Rage, And dull, and dull, and dull swells ev'ry Page. Thirsty, she Poison draws from ev'ry Flow'r, Like Satan, seeks whom next she may devour.
[Footnote a: _Vide_ Notes on the new _Dunciad_.]
So have I seen a Dog distracted roam; He bites, he snaps at all, disgorging Foam. The frighten'd Passenger the Danger flies, And sees the Poison flashing from his Eyes. Till some stout Dray-man dashes out his Brains, And his corrupted Blood the Kennel stains.
Thy Notes pedantic shall no more engage; _Arbuthnot_'s Wit enlivens not the Page. Thy Muse, that Prostitute abandon'd Jade, Now flounders in the Mire without _Swift_'s Aid. Thy base Invectives Men no more regard; With just Disdain thy Scare-Crow Muse is heard.