EPISTLE IX. ΤΟ MISS BLOUNT,' WITH THE WORKS OF VOITURE.2 In these gay thoughts the Loves and Graces shine, In the octavo edition of 1735, after the inscription, the following words are added, "Written at 17 years old." The lines were first published in Lintot's Miscellany for 1712, and entitled "To a Young Lady, with the works of Voiture." It is very certain that, if the lines were really written, as Pope says in the edition referred to, when he was only seventeen, they could not have been addressed in the first instance to Martha Blount, who would have been a mere child. But the probability is that here, as elsewhere, Pope fixed on a date for the 10 composition which would illustrate the precocity of his genius. See Introductory Remarks to the following Epistle. Vincent Voiture, son of a winemerchant, born at Amiens, 1598, died in 1648. He is now chiefly remembered for his letters. "Voiture," says Voltaire, " gave some idea of the superficial graces of that epistolary style, which is by no means the best, because it aims at nothing higher than pleasantry and amusement. His two volumes of letters are the mere pastime of a wanton imagination, in which we meet not with one that is instinctive, not one Thus wisely careless, innocently gay, And the gay mourned who never mourned before.' The Smiles and Loves had died in Voiture's death,' Let the strict life of graver mortals be A long, exact, and serious Comedy; In every scene some moral let it teach, And, if it can, at once both please and preach. grace, Though not too strictly bound to time and place: Few write to those, and none can live to these. Custom, grown blind with age, must be your guide; that flows from the heart, that paints the manners of the times, or the characters of men: they are rather an abuse than an exercise of wit." So Dryden, Don Sebastian : To make the trifle, Death, a thing of moment.-WAKEFIELD, 2 In the edition of 1717, "death" stood in the place of "fate." In the Miscellanies the lines stand: Till death, scarce felt, did o'er his pleasure crcep, As smiling infants sport themselves to sleep. Wakefield says this is imitated from Dryden, in All for Love. As harmless infants moan themselves asleep. 3 Imitated from Shakespeare: And how she prayed that never prayed before. Taming of the Shrew. - WAKEFIELD. 4 Etrusca Veneres, Camenæ liberæ, By nature yielding, stubborn but for fame; Made slaves by honour, and made fools by shame. But sets up one, a greater, in their place : Well might you wish for change by those accursed, Or bound in formal, or in real chains: Whole years neglected, for some months adored, The fawning servant turns a haughty lord. 3355 40 45 For the dull glory of a virtuous wife; Nor let false shows nor empty titles please: Aim not at joy, but rest content with ease. The gods, to curse Pamela' with her prayers, But, Madam, if the Fates withstand, and you Still makes new conquests, and maintains the past; in that way. It is difficult to see what the name can have meant pronounced as in Pope's verse. 2 Compare Moral Essays, ii. 257,292. This binds in ties more easy, yet more strong, Thus Voiture's early care still shone the same,' The brightest eyes of France inspired his Muse; And dead, as living, 'tis our author's pride Still to charm those who charm the world beside. 1 Mademoiselle Paulet.-POPE. 2 Madame de Montausier was the name under which Voiture celebrated Mlle. de Rambouillet. 3 Daughter of the Marquise de Rambouillet, at whose hotel Voiture obtained his first introduction into aristocratic society. |