But lo! in me, what Authors have to brag on,
Reduc’d at last to hiss, in my own Dragon,
Avert it, Heav’n, that thou, or Cibber e’er
Should wag two Serpent-Tails in Smithfield Fair.
If this does not imply, that you think me fit for little else, it is only another barren Verse with my Name in it: If it does mean so; why——I wish you may never be toss’d in a Blanket, and so the Kindness is even on both Sides. But again you are at me, ver. 320, speaking of the King of Dunces Reign, you have these Lines:
Beneath whose Reign, Eusden shall wear the Bays,
Cibber preside Lord-Chancellor of Plays.
This I presume you offer as one of the heavy Enormities of the Stage-Government, when I had a Share in it. But as you have not given an Instance in which this Enormity appear’d, how is it possible (unless I had your Talent of Self-Commendation) to bring any Proofs in my Favour? I must therefore submit it to Publick Judgment how full your Reflexion hits, or is wide of me, and can only say to it in the mean time,—Valeat quantum valere potest.
In your Remark upon the same Lines you say,
“Eusden no sooner died, but his Place of Laureat was supply’d by Cibber, in the Year 1730, on which was made the following Epigram.” (May I not believe by yourself?)
In merry Old England, it once was a Rule,
The King had his Poet, and also his Fool.
But now we’re so frugal, I’d have you to know it,
That Cibber can serve both for Fool and for Poet.
Ay, marry Sir! here you souse me with a Witness! This is a Triumph indeed! I can hardly help laughing at this myself; for, Se non e vero, ben Trovato! A good Jest is a good Thing, let it fall upon who it will: I dare say Cibber would never have complain’d of Mr. Pope,
——Si sic
——Omnia dixisset——— Juv.
If he had never said any worse of him. But hold, Master Cibber! why may not you as well turn this pleasant Epigram into an involuntary Compliment? for a King’s Fool was no body’s Fool but his Master’s, and had not his Name for nothing; as for Example,