Page:Satire in the Victorian novel (IA satireinvictoria00russrich).pdf/44

 Speaking of the narrowed use of the word satire in French and English, he adds,  "For amongst the Romans it was not only used for those discourses which decried vice, or exposed folly, but for others also where virtue was recommended. But in our modern languages we apply it only to invective poems, * * * for in English, to say Satire, is to mean reflection, as we use that word in its worst sense; or as the French call it, more properly, medisance." Defoe adds to the two a third, but in a somewhat casual enumeration: "Speak, Satire; for there's none can tell like thee Whether 'tis folly, pride, or knavery That makes this discontented land appear Less happy now in times of peace than war?" Swift echoes the old duality: "His vein, ironically grave, Exposed the fool, and lash'd the knave." And Fielding, though he actually finds good game in folly, evidently considers vice the prime object:]