receive them from a
man, who has no better opinion of my morals, than to think me a party
man, nor of my temper, than to believe me capable of maligning, or
envying another's reputation as a poet. In a word, Mr. Addison is sure
of my respect at all times, and of my real friendship, whenever he shall
think fit to know me for what I am.'

Some years after this conversation, at the desire of Sir Richard Steele,
they met. At first, a very cold civility, and nothing else appeared on
either side, for Mr. Addison had a natural reserve and gloom at the
beginning of an evening, which, by conversation and a glass, brightened
into an easy chearfulness. Sir Richard Steele, who was a most social
benevolent man, begged of him to fulfill his promise, in dropping all
animosity against Mr. Pope. Mr. Pope then desired to be made sensible
how he had offended; and observed, that the translation of Homer, if
that was the great crime, was undertaken at the request, and almost at
the command of Sir Richard Steele. He entreated Mr. Addison to speak
candidly and freely, though it might be with ever so much severity,
rather than by keeping up forms of complaisance, conceal any of his
faults. This Mr. Pope spoke in such a manner as plainly indicated he
thought Mr. Addison the aggressor, and expected him to condescend, and
own himself the cause of the breach between them. But he was
disappointed; for Mr. Addison, without appearing to be angry, was quite
overcome with it. He began with declaring, that he always had wished him
well, had often endeavoured to be his friend, and in that light advised
him, if his nature was capable of it, to divert himself of part of his
vanity, which was too great for his merit; that he had not arrived yet
to that pitch of excellence he might imagine, or think his most partial
readers imagined; that when he and Sir Richard Steele corrected his
verses, they had a different air; reminding Mr. Pope of the amendment
(by Sir Richard) of a line, in the poem called The MESSIAH.

He wipes the tears for ever from our eyes.

Which is taken from the prophet Isaiah,

The Lord God will wipe all tears from off all faces.

From every face he wipes off ev'ry tear.

And it stands so altered in the newer editions of Mr. Pope's works. He
proceeded to lay before him all the mistakes and inaccuracies hinted at
by the writers, who had attacked Mr. Pope, and added many things, which
he himself objected to. Speaking of his transl