On display is the advertisement to the First Epistle of The Second Book of Horace. Here Pope explains to his reader why he uses Horace’s satire and mentions how he modifies Horace’s work to suit a contemporary audience. Pope emulates Horace in addressing his poem to Augustus. Caesar Augustus was Horace’s patron, but Augustus was the second name of King George II. Pope imitates Horace’s appreciative tone in addressing Augustus, but modifies the words so as to mock George (Augustus) II for his corrupt government and his incompetence toward the arts.
Gift of William M. Elkins
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