Epistle V. To Lupercus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On a Pleading sent to him.
I Have imparted to you the Action you have often desired, and I as frequently promis'd;
yet not entire; for hitherto, only a Part is finish'd. In the mean Time,
I thought it proper to submit what appear'd most compleat to your Judgment.
I implore you to bestow the Attention of the Writer himself upon it; for nothing has ever fallen into my Hands,
that is entitled to a greater Share of my Concern. For in other Actions my Care and Fidelity,
in This, my Piety will be exposed to the
Sentiments of the Publick. This enlarg'd the Piece to a Book; in the Pleasure I took to honour and advance my Country,
and not only endeavour the Safety, but the Glory of it. Yet do you retrench it,
on Occasion. For as often as I regard the Taste and Dislike of a Reader,
I reflect, That Brevity it self is a Recommendation to a Book. Yet while I desire this Severity of you,
I am oblig'd to beg a different Favour, That in the greatest Part of it you be more indulgent.
For some Allowance is to be given to a youthful Hearer, if the Subject does not refuse it.
So far, that we may fairly pursue the Descriptions of Places, which will occur frequently in this Book,
not only in an Historical, but partly in a Poetical Light. Yet if any shall imagine me sometimes too florid for the Rigor of this Kind of Writing;
his Spleen, (with Submission) may be atton'd by the other Branches of it.
Indeed I attempted to lay hold on various Readers by a diversity of Stile,
and tho' I am in Fear, that each may not approve
every Part, according to his particular Temper; yet I think I may be confident,
that the whole may come with Advantage to all, by the meer Variety of it:
As at an Entertainment, tho' all the Company does not regale upon every Dish,
they usually pay a Compliment to the whole; and what is disagreeable to the Appetite,
does not lessen the Flavour of that which is taking. I would here be constru'd,
not as believing I have gain'd
my Point, but only labour'd to attain it: and perhaps not in vain, if you will assist me in the Present,
now and then in the Following. You will say perhaps that you cannot perform it with due Care,
unless you know the whole Action; I acknowledge it; yet these will become immediately familiar to you;
and some are of that Nature, that they may be corrected by you in Parts.
As if you view the distinct Head or Limb of a Statue, you cannot judge of the Harmony and Proportion by it,
yet you may decide whether that Part be elegantly perform'd. Hence the Beginnings of Books are carry'd about,
on the Principle, that a Part, without the Rest, may be well finished.
A certain Relish of talking with you has brought me farther than I design'd;
but now I will conclude, that I may not transgress the Measure, in an Epistle,
which I prescribe to an Oration.
Farewel.
