Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 14.djvu/84

better or easier; next to that it pleases me that you make me the person you would complain to.

As the obtaining the love of valuable men is the happiest end I know of this life, so the next felicity is to get rid of fools and scoundrels; which I cannot but own to you was one part of my design in falling upon these authors, whose incapacity is not greater than their insincerity, and of whom I have always found (if I may quote myself)

That each bad author is as bad a friend.

This Poem will rid me of those insects,

Cedite Romani Scriptores, cedite Graii,
Nescio quid majus nascitur Iliade^[1].

I mean than my Iliad; and I call it Nescio quid which is a degree of modesty; but however if it silence these fellows^[2], it must be something greater than any Iliad in Christendom. Adieu.

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DR. SWIFT TO MR. POPE.

DUBLIN, MAY 10, 1728,

I HAVE with great pleasure shown the New England newspaper with the two names Jonathan Gulliver; and I remember Mr. Fortescue^[3] sent

1. Ye Greek and Roman Authors yield the prize,
   See something greater than an Iliad rise.
2. It did in a little time effectually silence them.
3. A gentleman of the law, author of Stradling versus Styles.

you