Alexander Pope, The Twickenham Pope, published, 1731.
Epistle to Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington
One of societies ‘friendly poets’, he had to apologise to Lord Burlington quite a lot. He got told off for innuendo- and must at times thought he was invulnerable. The situation he was in is that he was giving up his freedom to be a richer man (and to an extent more respected).
Not sure I agree with the rather sexist tone of the end of the first stanza, but Pope is certainly passionate and whether it be to do with sexual love or not what he is saying is it is never a good thing to be the ‘net loser.’
STANZA 1
‘Tis strange, the Miser should his cares employ,
To gain those Riches he can ne’er enjoy:
Is it less strange, the Prodigal should wast
His wealth, to purchase what he ne’er can taste?
Not for himself he sees, or hears, or eats;
Artists must chuse his Pictures, Music, Meats:
He buys from Topham, Drawings and Designs,
For Pembroke Statues, dirty Gods, and Coins;
Rare monkish Manuscripts for Hearne alone,
And Books for Mead, and Butterflies for Sloane.
Think we all these for himself? no more
Than his fine Wife, alas! or finer Whore.
STANZA 2
For what has Virro painted, built, and planted?
Only to show, how many Tastes he wanted.
What brought Sir Visto’s ill got wealth of waste?
Some Daemon whisper’d, ‘Visto! have a taste.’
Heav’n visits with a Taste the wealthy fool,
And needs no Rod but Ripley with a Rule.
See! sportive fate, to punish aukward pride,
Bids Bubo build, and send him such a Guide:
A standing sermon, at each year’s expense,
That never Coxcomb reach’d Magnificence!
STANZA 4
Oft have you hinted to your brother Peer,
A certain truth, which many buy too dear:
Something there is more needful than Expence,
And something previous ev’n to Taste- ’tis Sense:
Good Sense, which only is the gift of Heav’n,
And tho’ no science, fairly worth the sev’n:
A Light, which in yourself you must percieve;
Jones and Le Notre have it not to give.
STANZA 7
Still follow Sense, of ev’ry Art and Soul,
Parts answ’ring parts shall slide into the whole,
Spontaneous beauties all around in advance,
Start ev’n from Difficulty, strike from Chance;
Nature shall join you, Time shall make it grow