C, who makes so merry with the Creed.] The same A Collins.

Arb

-t is a fool, and F—a sage,—S—ey will fright you, E-engage.] Dr. Arbuthnot, Daniel de Foe, Sir Charles Sedley.

S

is the worst of friends.] Sussex.

-y is fair.] Duchess of Queensberry. the foremost toyman of his time.] Sloan (Sir Hans,) alluding to his Museum. Unhappy Jy.] Lady Jersey. Byle shines in council, M- -t in the fight: —P—l—m's magnificent, but J— can write.] Boyle (Charles) Earl of Orrery. Mordaunt (Charles) Earl of Peterborough. Pelham, Duke of Newcastle. John Dennis.

Will H -t pardon, if I dare commend ;— H-t, with zeal, a patron, and a friend?—Ale true wit is studious to restore ;-And D— -t smiles, if Phabus smil'd before.—P— -ke, in years, the long-liv'd arts admires,—And Henrietta like a Muse inspires.] Harcourt (Lord Chancellor.) Argyle (Duke of.) Dorset (Duke of.) Thomas Pembroke (late Earl of.) Lady Henrietta Cavendish-Holles Harley. Character of Augustus, in the conclusion, applied to his late Majesty (George I.)

SATIRE V.

Foubert has the forming of the fair.] Major Foubert, a riding-master.

Sir H-s.] Sir Hans Sloan, M. D.

The fair philosopher to Rowley flies.] The late Mr. Rowley, an eminent mathematical instrument maker, under St. Dunstan's church in Fleet-street. Lady D-] Dashwood or Dysart.

SATIRE VI.

Zinck.] The greatest master in miniature, and enamel painting, in Europe.

Hy the first wit.] Lord Hervey.

Cruel R -d.] Duke of Richmond.
Gn.] Lady Betty Germain.

H, P, B] Hervey, Pearce, Blount, (Ladies.)

C.] Collins (Anthony, Esq.)

T-l-n.] Archbishop Tillotson's and Dr. Burnet's doctrine of the non-eternity of hell torments.

Kp.] Mrs. Kemp, keeper of an assemblee. Carolina's heart, &c.] Acknowledgment of the late Queen's favours to the Author.

112

A PARAPHRASE

ON PART OF THE BOOK OF JOB.*

THRICE happy Job† long liv'd in regal state, Nor saw the sumptuous East a prince so great; Whose worldly stores in such abundance flow'd, Whose heart with such exalted virtue glow'd. At length misfortunes take their turn to reign, And ills on ills succeed, a dreadful train!

* It is disputed among the critics, who was the author of the book of Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the former of these opinions; which arguments I have flung into the following notes, where little else is to be expected.

+ The Almighty's speech, chap. xxxviii. &c. which is what I paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says its grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and joined them to it; so that this book is a sort of an epitome of the whole book of Job.

What now but deaths, and poverty, and wrong,
The sword wide-wasting, the reproachful tongue,
And spotted plagues, that mark'd his limbs all o'er
So thick with pains, they wanted room for more?
A change so sad what mortal heart could bear?
Exhausted woe had left him nought to fear,
But gave him all to grief. Low earth he press'd,
Wept in the dust, and sorely smote his breast.
His friends around the deep affliction mourn'd,
Felt all his pangs, and groan for groan return'd;

I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted, added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suitable to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.

Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shews that they contribute very much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made up of them. Interrogation seems, indeed, the proper style of majesty incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass sentence on himself.

In anguish of their hearts their mantles rent,
And seven long days in solemn silence spent ;
A debt of rev'rence to distress so great!
Then Job contain'd no more, but curs'd his fate,
His day of birth, its inauspicious light,

He wishes sunk in shades of endless night,
And blotted from the year, nor fears to crave
Death, instant death, impatient for the grave,
That seat of peace, that mansion of repose,
Where rest and mortals are no longer foes;,
Where counsellors are hush'd, and mighty kings
(O happy turn!) no more are wretched things.

His words were daring, and displeas'd his friends;
His conduct they reprove, and he defends;
And now they kindled into warm debate,
And sentiments oppos'd with equal heat :
Fix'd in opinion, both refuse to yield,

And summon all their reason to the field:

So high, at length, their arguments were wrought,
They reach'd the last extent of human thought :
A pause ensu'd :—when lo, heaven interpos'd,
And awfully the long contention clos'd.

Full o'er their heads, with terrible surprise,
A sudden whirlwind blacken'd all the skies:
(They saw, and trembled!) from the darkness broke
A dreadful voice, and thus th' Almighty spoke.*

*The book of Job is well known to be dramatic,