The satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis translated into English verse by Mr. Dryden and several other eminent hands ; together with the satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus, made English by Mr. Dryden ; with explanatory notes at the end of each satire ; to which is prefix'd a discourse concerning the original and progress of satire ... by Mr. Dryden.

ARGUMENT OF THE PROLOGUE TO THE FIRST SATYR.

The Design of the Authour was to con∣ceal his Name and Quality. He liv'd in the dangerous Times of the Tyrant Nero; and aims particularly at him, in most of his Satyrs▪ For which Reason, though he was a Roman Knight, and of a plentiful Fortune, he wou'd appear in this Prologue, but a Beggarly Poet, who ••rites for Bread. After this, he breaks into the Business of the first Satyr: which is, chiefly to decry the Poetry then in Fashion; and the Impudence of those, who were endeavouring to pass their Stuff upon the World.

PROLOGUE TO THE First Satyr.

I Never did on cleft 1 1.1 Pernassus dream; Nor taste the sacred Heliconian Stream: Nor can remember when my Brain inspir'd▪ Was, by the Muses, into madness fir'd. My share in Pale 2 1.2 Pyrene I resign: And claim no part in all the Mighty Nine. Statues 3 1.3 , with winding Ivy crown'd, belong To nobler Poets, for a nobler Song: H••edless of Verse, and hopeless of the Crown, Scarce half a Wit, and more than half a Clown, Before the 4 1.4 Shrine I lay my rugged Numbers down. Who taught the Parrot Human Notes to try, Or with a Voice endu'd the chatt'ring Pye? 'Twas witty Want, fierce Hunger to appease: Want taught their Masters, and their Masters these▪ Let Gain, that gilded Bait, be hung on high, The hungry Wirlings have it in their Eye: Pies, Crows, and Daws, Poetick Presents bring: You say they squeak; but they will swear they Sing.

Notes

• 1 1.1

  PErnassus, and Helicon, were Hills Consecrated to the Muses; and the suppos'd place of their abode. Pernassus was forked on the top; and from Helicon ran a Stream; the Spring of which, was call'd the Muses Well.
• 2 1.2

  Pyrene, a Fountain in Corinth; Consecrated also to the Muses.
• 3 1.3

  The Statues of the Poets, were Crown'd with Ivy about their Brows.
• 4 1.4

  Before the Shrine; that is▪ before the Shrine of Apollo▪ in his Temple at Rome, call'd the Palati••e.