Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/266

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'Tis indeed somewhat bold, and almost prodigious, for a single man to undertake such a work: But 'tis too late to dissuade by demonstrating the madness of the Project. The Subscribers expectations have been rais'd in proportion to what their Pockets have been drain'd of. Pope has been concern'd in Jobs, and hired out his Name to Booksellers.

An .] Let us take the initial letter of his Christian name, and the initial and final letters of his surname, viz. APE and they give you the same Idea of an Ape as his Face, &c.

An .] It is my duty to pull off the Lion's skin from this little Ass.

A .] A squab short Gentleman—a little creature that, like the Frog in the Fable, swells and is angry that it is not allow'd to be as big as an Ox.

A .] A lurking way-laying coward.

A .] He is one whom God and nature have mark'd for want of common honesty.

A .] Great Fools will be christen'd by the names of great Poets, and Pope will be call'd Homer.

A .] A little abject Thing.