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The Works of Alexander Popekesq., With Notes and Illustrations by Himself and Others (v. 5)
The Works of Alexander Popekesq With Notes and Illustrations by Himself and Others - v. 5 Author:Alexander Pope Subtitle: To Which Were Added, a New Life of the Author, an Estimate of His Poetical Character and Writings, and Occasional Remarks Volume: v. 5 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1824 Original Publisher: Printed for C. and J. Rivington Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illu... more »strations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: EPISTLE IV. Oh Happiness ! our being's end and aim! Good, Pleasure, Ease, Content! whate'er thy name; That something still which prompts th' eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare to die, COMMENTARY. The two foregoing Epistles having considered Man with regard to the Means (that is, in all his relations, whether as an individual, or a member of Society), this last comes to consider him with regard to the End, that is, Happiness. It opens with an invocation to Happiness, in the manner of the ancient Poets; who, when destitute of a patron God, applied to the Muse ; and if she was not at leisure, took up with any simple Virtue next at hand, to inspire and prosper their undertakings. This was the ancient invocation, which few modern Poets have had the art to imitate with any degree either of spirit or decorum: but our author hath contrived to make Aw subservient to the method and reasoning of his philosophic composition. I will endeavour to explain so uncommon a beauty. It is to be observed, that the Pagan Deities had each their several names onA places of abode; with some of which they were supposed NOTES. Ver. 1. Oh Happiness.'] He begins his address to Happiness after the manner of the ancient hymns, by enumerating the titles and various places of abode of this goddess. He has undoubtedly personified VARIATIONS. Ver. 1. Oh Happiness! c.] In the MS. thus: Oh Happiness! to which we a...« less