Part 36 (1/2)

write legal papers.

'19-20'

An imaginary portrait of a mad poet who keeps on writing verses even in his cell in Bedlam. Pope may have been thinking of Lee, a dramatist of Dryden's day who was confined for a time in this asylum.

'23 Arthur:'

Arthur Moore, a member of Parliament for some years and well known in London society. His ”giddy son,” James Moore, who took the name of Moore Smythe, dabbled in letters and was a bitter enemy of Pope.

'25 Cornus:'

Robert Lord Walpole, whose wife deserted him in 1734. Horace Walpole speaks of her as half mad.

'31 sped:'

done for.

'40'

Pope's counsel to delay the publication of the works read to him is borrowed from Horace: ”nonumque prematur in annum” '(Ars Poetica, 388).'

'41 Drury-lane,'

like Grub Street, a haunt of poor authors at this time.

'43 before Term ends:'

before the season is over; that is, as soon as the poem is written.

'48 a Prologue:'

for a play. Of course a prologue by the famous Mr. Pope would be of great value to a poor and unknown dramatist.

'49 Pitholeon:'

the name of a foolish poet mentioned by Horace. Pope uses it here for his enemy Welsted, mentioned in l. 373.--'his Grace:' the t.i.tle given a Duke in Great Britain. The Duke here referred to is said to be the Duke of Argyle, one of the most influential of the great Whig lords.

'53 Curll':

a notorious publisher of the day, and an enemy of Pope. The implication is that if Pope will not grant Pitholeon's request, the latter will accept Curll's invitation and concoct a new libel against the poet.