THE LYARS. ARGUMENT. This Eclogue is principally an Imitation of the third Bucolic of Virgil, which, as is observed by Dr. Joseph Warton, the Brother of our incomparable Laureat, is of that Species called Amœboa, where the Characters introduced contend in alternate Verse; the second always endeavouring to surpass the first Speaker in an equal Number of Lines. As this was in point of Time the first of our Author's Pastoral Attempts, he has taken rather more Latitude than he afterwards allowed himself in the rest, and has interspersed one or two occasional Imitations from other Eclogues of the Roman Poet, IN Downing Street, the breakfast duly set, AS BANKS and PRETTYMAN one morn were met, In urgent cases, a convenient lie; In verse alternate-which the Muses love! 5 And heard them boast, how loudly both had lied; 10 IMITATIONS. Ver. 6. Amant alterna Camœnæ, Ver. 10, Hos Corydon, illos referebat in ordine Thyrsis. PRETTYMAN. Why wilt thou, BANKS, with me dispute the prize? One lie from us is more than ten from you! BANKS. O witless lout! in lies that touch the state, They think we're honest, as they know we 're dull! PRETTYMAN. In yon Cathedral I a Prebend boast, The maiden bounty of our gracious host! Its yearly profits I to thee resign, If PITT pronounce not that the palm is mine! BANKS. A Borough mine, a pledge far dearer sure, 15 20 25 NOTES. Ver. 17. Our poet here seems to deviate from his general rule, by the introduction of a phrase which appears rather adapted to the lower and less elevated strain of pastoral, than to the dialogue of persons of such distinguished rank. It is, however, to be considered, that it is far from exceeding the bounds of possibility to suppose, that, in certain instances, the epithet of" Witless," and the coarse designation of "Lout," may be as applicable to a dignitary of the church, as to the most ignorant and illiterate rustic, PITT. Begin the strain-while in our easy chairs PRETTYMAN. Father of lies! by whom in EDEN's shade BANKS. Blest pow'rs of falsehood, at whose shrine I bend, 30 35 What prouder victims can your altars boast, Than honours stain'd, and fame for ever lost? 40 PRETTYMAN. How smooth, persuasive, plausible, and glib, BANKS. How clear, convincing, eloquent, and bold, 45 The barefac'd lie, with manly courage told! Which, spoke in public, falls with greater force, IMITATIONS. Ver. 29. Dicite-quandoquidem in molli consedimus herbâ. PRETTYMAN. Search through each office for the basest tool BANKS. Step from St. Stephen's up to Leadenhall, 50 55 Not he, howe'er important his design, Can lie with impudence surpassing mine. 60 PRETTYMAN. Sooner the ass in fields of air shall graze, Or WARTON'S Odes with justice claim the bays; Of Captain CHARLES, or COL'NEL HENRY PHIPPS; IMITATIONS. Ver. 61. Ante leves ergo pascentur in æquore cervi, NOTES. 65 Ver. 62. The truth of this line must be felt by all who have read the lyrical effusions of Mr. Warton's competitors, whose odes were some time since published, by Sir John Hawkins, Knight. The present passage must be understood in reference to those, and not to the Laureat's general talents. Sooner shall CAMPBELL mend his phrase uncouth, BANKS. When Fox and SHERIDAN for fools shall pass, PRETTYMAN. While in suspense our Irish project hung, 70 75 A well-fram'd fiction from this fruitful tongue And lull'd the Manufacturers to peace: BANKS. When Secret Influence expiring lay, And Whigs triumphant hail'd th' auspicious day, NOTES. 80 85 Ver. 85. The ingenious and sagacious gentlemen, who, at the period of the glorious revolution of 1784, held frequent meetings at the Saint Alban's Tavern, for the purpose of bringing about an union that might have prevented the dissolution of Parliament; which meetings afforded time to one of the members of the proposed union to concert means throughout every part of the kingdom, for ensuring the success of "that |