have done me
the favour of calling on me. But, be that as it will, I much want that
instance of your friendship I mentioned in my last; a friendship I am
very sensible I can receive from no one but yourself. I should not urge
this thing so much but for very particular reasons; nor can you be at a
loss to conceive how a 'trifle of this nature' may be of serious moment
to me; and while I am in hopes of the great advantage of your advice
about it, I shall not be so absurd as to make any further step without
it. I know you are much engaged, and only hope to hear of you at your
entire leisure.

"I am, sir, your most faithful
"and obedient servant,
"E. YOUNG."

Nay, even after Pope's death, he says in "Night Seven:"--

"Pope, who could'st make immortals, art thou dead?"

Either the "Essay," then, was dedicated to a patron who disapproved
its doctrine, which I have been told by the author was not the case;
or Young appears, in his old age, to have bartered for a dedication an
opinion entertained of his friend through all that part of life when he
must have been best able to form opinions. From this account of Young,
two or three short passages, which stand almost together in "Night
Four," should not be excluded. They afford a picture, by his own hand,
from the study of which my readers may choose to form their own opinion
of the features of his mind and the complexion of his life.

"Ah me! the dire effect
Of loitering here, of death defrauded long;
Of old so gracious (and let that suffice),
MY VERY MASTER KNOWS ME NOT.
I've been so long remembered I'm forgot.
* *
When in his courtiers' ears I pour my plaint,
They drink it as the Nectar of the Great;
And squeeze my hand, and beg me come to-morrow.
* *
Twice told the period spent on stubborn Troy,
Court favour, yet untaken, I BESIEGE.
* *
If this song lives, Posterity shall know
One, though in Britain born, with courtiers bred,
Who thought, even gold might come a day too late;
Nor on his subtle deathbed planned his scheme
For future vacancies in Church or State."

Deduct from the writer's age "twice told the period spent on stubborn
Troy," and you will still leave him more than forty when he sate down to