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EPITAPH ON CHARLES EARL OF DORSET by ALEXANDER POPE

Poet Analysis

First Line: DORSET, THE GRACE OF THE COURTS, THE MUSES' PRIDE
Last Line: AND PATRIOTS STILL, OR POETS, DECK THE LINE.
Subject(s): ANCESTRY & ANCESTORS; SACKVILLE, CHARLES. 6TH EARL OF DORSET;

IN THE CHURCH OF WITHYHAM IN SUSSEX

Dorset, the Grace of Courts, the Muses Pride,
Patron of Arts, and Judge of Nature, dy'd!
The Scourge of Pride, tho' sanctify'd or great,
Of Fops in Learning, and of Knaves in State:
Yet soft his Nature, tho' severe his Lay,
His Anger moral, and his Wisdom gay.
Blest Satyrist! who touch'd the Mean so true,
As show'd, Vice had his Hate and Pity too.
Blest Courtier! who could King and Country please,
Yet sacred keep his Friendships, and his Ease.
Blest Peer! his great Forefathers ev'ry Grace
Reflecting, and reflected in his Race;
Where other Buckhursts, other Dorsets shine,
And Patriots still, or Poets, deck the Line.



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