Juvenalis redivivus, or, The first satyr of Juvenal taught to speak plain English a poem.

NOTES.

1. THis I suppose may look somewhat like a Parallel to Quas torqueat umbras Aeacus. For by Torqueat is meant nothing else than to be put upon a Tryal; and how often good honest Loyal men have been summoned before the Devil of an House of Commons, I leave to those that have read the Actions of the RUMP Parliament, and are acquainted with the Pro∣ceedings of FORTY ONE.

2. There are various Conjectures delivered upon this Verse, viz. Expectes eadem &c. but this seems to me to be most consonant to the nature of the Place.

3. Canopus was a place in Egypt, twelve Miles distant from Alexandria, reported to be a meer Sodom and Go∣morrha; and that I have raised up Islington as somewhat of kin to it, the Inhabitants sure cannot think twill bear an Action of Scandal.

4. A Trick too well known among the brethren of Belly.

5. This whole description is contained in the word, Prostan∣tis, the sense of the Author being this, viz. That oftentimes upon the account of Knavish and extorting Ʋsurers, a poor, di∣stressed, over-reachen Heir is forc'd to use the most sordid ways of employment, to get a Livelihood.

6. This Humour of exposing a bad Poet is very consonant to the Genius of Juvenal. Cicero himself is scouted by him for his O Fortunatam Natam &c. and upon the consideration that I pretend to bring my Author to life again, it would be a mere soloecism, if I should not take notice of those verses, which a very wicked Poet and Translator would force upon him, and make the world believe were his own.

7. Those that have read the E. of R. Poems, know very well what I mean by Tariander, but (because I pretend somewhat to Modesty) I shall not explain it at present.

8. Automedon was Achilles his Master of the Horse (if I may so call it) but however his Inclinations that way, was the cause of the destruction of his Estate and Family.

9. Locusta, a Notorious wretch (a French Lady) of this

Name there was in the time of Nero, whom she helped by her execrable experience in Poisons to dispatch Britannicus &c.

10. There is nothing that commends this verse but the Na∣turalness of it. And those that understand the true meaning and intent of Rarus enim fermè sensus communis in illis, cannot but acknowledge, that I have personated my Author.

11. This Gentleman translated Juvenal, but after that un∣cooth, heavy, and clumsey way, that I may with a safe con∣science shake him and Cluvienus in a Bagg. He was certain∣ly a very Learned man, and a good Commentator, but it is no less true, that he was a miserable and lamentable Poet.

12. Here I make an honest Countryman of mine stand up and make a kind of a speech, according to the method and laudable custom of our more modern Poems; and which surely Juvenal himself, if he were really alive, would allow of.

13. Quadringinta, to which this relates, was four hundred

Sesterces, 3125^l sterling, which was the value of a Roman Knights yearly Revenue. He is called Windsor Knight out of Contempt.

14. There is a great dispute concerning this Place. I think the Design of the Poet is to intimate, that Storks built their Nests, and made a Noise nigh the Temple of Concord: And why I may not call them Jack-Daws, and bring them in as Preachers, let any one shew me a Reason to the contrary.

15. Now Barabbas was a Robber (of the King's Preroga∣tive,) who for raising a certain tumult and sedition in the City, was committed &c.

16. The WHIGGS FEAST.

17. Juvenal here has thought good to cantradict what he said when he was first alive, and Resolves now to prosecute the Living, as heretofore he did the Dead. Tis an easie thing, and very natural to take an hint from a Place, and raise up its Con∣trary; the definition of Imitation does allow of it.

18. Cowley says,

—I'le cut through all, And march the Muses Hannibal,

He was all for Action, and making the way clear, where he could not find it already done to his hands. But I, like a good Tory Christian, being strangely taken with the example of Hudibrass, do declare wholly for the valour that is Passive.

FINIS.