Epistle VII. To Octavius Rufus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Pelham.]
[_]
He returns an Answer to Octavius, who had requested him to Plead for
Gallus, against the Bætici.
See to what a Height you have raised me, giving me the same full Power,
and Command, that Homer does to Jupiter the Good, and Great.
Th'Almighty Father granted half his Prayer,
The other half deny'd.
For with a like consenting nod, and denying shake of my Head, I can answer your Expectations.
For tho' I can Handsomely enough, especially at your Request, Excuse my self to the
Bætici, for not appearing on their Behalf against a particular Person:
Yet it will in no wise be consistent, with my Truth, and Constancy, Vertues which you esteem,
to appear against a Province, which I have formerly
obliged, by so many laborious, and hazardous Services. I will therefore steer a middle Course,
and of the two things, which you leave to my Election to oblige you in,
I will chuse that, which may not only content your present Inclination,
but your Judgment likewise. For I am not so much to consider, what so excellent a Person,
as you are, may desire just for the present, as what you are likely always to approve of.
I hope to be at
Rome about the Ides of
October, and then to give
Gallus a Proof of both our Friendships. In the mean time I give you leave to assure him,
of my good Inclination towards him,
Thus said, and awful bent his sable Brows,
Saturnian Jove.
For why should not I use Homer's Verses continually, when writing to you?
Since you will not let me have any of your own; tho' I long for them to that degree,
that I think such a Fee would Corrupt me to appear, even against the
Bætici. I had like to have omitted, what I ought by no means to forget,
that I have received your most excellent Palm-Apples, which I think do not yield to your
Figs or Mushrooms.
Farewel.
