Part 31 (1/2)

'55 one single:'

the word ”movement” is understood after ”single.”

'61-68'

Pope here ill.u.s.trates his preceding argument by a.n.a.logy. We can know no more of G.o.d's purpose in the ordering of our lives than the animals can know of our ordering of theirs.

'64 aegypt's G.o.d:'

One of the G.o.ds of the Egyptians was the sacred bull, Apis.

'68 a deity:'

wors.h.i.+ped as a G.o.d, like the Egyptian kings and Roman emperors.

'69-76'

Pope now goes on to argue that on the basis of what has been proved we ought not to regard man as an imperfect being, but rather as one who is perfectly adapted to his place in the universe. His knowledge, for example, is measured by the brief time he has to live and the brief s.p.a.ce he can survey.

'69 fault:'

p.r.o.nounced in Pope's day as rhyming with ”ought.”

'73-76'

These lines are really out of place. They first appeared after l. 98; then Pope struck them out altogether. Just before his death he put them into their present place on the advice of Warburton, who probably approved of them because of their reference to a future state of bliss.

It is plain that they interfere with the regular argument of the poem.

'79'

This line is grammatically dependent upon ”hides,” l. 77.

'81 riot:'

used here in the sense of ”luxurious life.” The lamb is slain to provide for some feast.

'86 Heav'n:'

'i.e.' G.o.d. Hence the relative ”who” in the next line.

'92-98'