sion of these verses, (the only copy whereof I send you) but you never shall suppress that great, sincere, and entire respect with which I am always,
My Lord, your, &c.
THE EARL OF OXFORD TO MR. POPE.
Sir, Brampton Castle, Nov. 6, 1721.
I received your packet, which could not but give me great pleasure, to see you preserve an old friend in your memory, for it must needs be very agreeable to be remembered by those we highly value. But then, how much shame did it cause me when I read your very fine verses enclosed? My mind reproached me how far short I came of what your great friendship, and delicate pen would partially describe me; you ask my consent to publish it; to what straits doth this reduce me? I look back indeed to those evenings I have usefully and pleasantly spent with Mr. Pope, Dr. Parnell, Dean Swift, the Doctor,[1] &c. I should be glad the world knew you admitted me to your friendship, and since your affection is too hard for your judgment, I am contented to let the world know how well Mr. Pope can write upon a barren subject. I return you an exact copy of the verses, that I may keep the original, as a testimony of the
- ↑ Arbuthnot.
