Alexander Pope: Selected Poetry and Prose

Calmly he looked on either life, and here
Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear;
From Nature’s temperate feast rose satisfied,
Thanked Heaven that he had lived, and that he died. 10

Composed 1730 First published 1730

EPITAPH. ON MR GAY.

IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY, 1732

Of manners gentle, of affections mild;
In wit, a man; simplicity, a child:
With native humour tempering virtuous rage,
Formed to delight at once and lash the age:
Above temptation in a low estate,
And uncorrupted, even among the great:
A safe companion, and an easy friend,
Unblamed through life, lamented in thy end.
These are thy honours! not that here thy bust
Is mixed with heroes, or with kings thy dust; 10
But that the worthy and the good shall say,
Striking their pensive bosoms—Here lies Gay.

Composed 1733 First published 1733

AN ESSAY ON MAN

from the first epistle

Of the nature and state of man

with respect to the universe

Awake, my St John! leave all meaner things
To low ambition and the pride of kings.
Let us (since life can little more supply
Than just to look about us, and to die)
Expatiate free o’er all this scene of man;
A mighty maze! but not without a plan:
A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot;
Or garden, tempting with forbidden fruit.

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