EPISTLE IX. ΤΟ MISS BLOUNT,' WITH THE WORKS OF VOITURE.2 In these gay thoughts the Loves and Graces shine, Who without flattery pleased the fair and great; 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 else where, 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 trice Thus wisely careless, innocently gay, And the gay mourned who never mourned before.' The Smiles and Loves had died in Voiture's death," And, if it can, at once both please and preach. And more diverting still than regular, Have humour, wit, a native ease and grace, Few write to those, and none can live to these. Too much your sex is by their forms confined, 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." 1 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 creep, As smiling infants sport themselves to sleep. By nature yielding, stubborn but for fame; 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. For the dull glory of a virtuous wife; 35 40 45 Nor let false shows nor empty titles please: The gods, to curse Pamela' with her prayers, But, Madam, if the Fates withstand, and you Still makes new conquests, and maintains the past; 1 The ordinary pronunciation of the name is "Paměla," from the Greek Tav μéλos. The name of Richardson's heroine has always been pronounced 50 55 60 65 in that way. 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,' Pleased, while with smiles his happy lines you view, 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. 70 75 80 3 Daughter of the Marquise de Rambouillet, at whose hotel Voiture obtained his first introduction into aristocratic society. |