as giving scandal to many; that, upon your writing to me upon it, I consulted with her, and sent you an excusive, alleviating answer, but did after that, privately of myself, write to you a full confession how much I myself disapproved the way of life, and owning the prejudice done her, charging it on myself, and declaring that I wished to break off what I acted against my conscience, etc., and that she, being at the same time spoken to by a lady of your acquaintance, at your instigation, did absolutely deny to alter any part of her conduct, were it ever so disreputable or exceptionable."

Worse still, it was reported that Pope had brought Martha acquainted with a noble lord, and into an intimacy with some others, merely to get quit of her himself. The poet reminds his friend that they had conferred together on the subject of the scandal, and that Caryll had expressed his complete satisfaction with the explanations then given. Mrs. Caryll also had written a cordial letter to Patty, owning that she had heard of the rumour, but all that Pope had told her husband "was so highly to your credit and commendation that it caused no change in my thoughts about the matter; and I really was glad that you had such a friend in the world, nor can I ever hope that anything should change him from ever being so to you."

Pope tried to drive the war into the enemy's country by explaining that Martha has had less of his conversation during the past two years than ever before, and that when they met the time was taken up with a "preachment " from him against the evil consequences of another sort of company which her

family were inclined to keep. It was the misfortune of that household to be governed like a ship—the head guided by the tail; "and God is my witness," he concludes, "I am as much a friend to her soul as to her person: the good qualities of the former made me her friend. No creature has better natural dispositions, or would act more rightly and reasonably in every duty, did she act by herself and for

herself."

Caryll's belief in his friend was unaffected by the breath of scandal, and for the time being the storm blew over. His reply must have been kind and reassuring, for upon receiving it Pope wrote, in evident relief of mind:

"I am as confident of your honour as of my own. Let lies perish and be confounded, and the author of them, if not forgiven, be despised. So we men say; but I am afraid women cannot, and your injured kinswoman is made too uneasy by these sinister practices, which, especially from one's own family, are terrible.”

CHAPTER XXXI

1726

The End of the "Odyssey "-Discontent of Broome and Fenton-Pope's Benevolence— Swift's Visit to England-Carriage Accident

EARLY

CARLY in 1726 the three-years' labour on the Odyssey" came to an end. On January 20 Pope wrote, to acknowledge the very last packet of notes from Broome, and to wish him joy on the accomplishment of their task.

For three long years they had dragged their common load, lightening each other's toil, and friends. to the last. "Why," he asks, " should we not go together in triumph, and demand the flitch of bacon at Dunmow, or some such signal reward?"

Neither Broome nor Fenton felt that their union with Pope qualified either of them to demand the flitch of bacon. In a postscript to the "Odyssey" the senior partner had stated that his assistants were only responsible for five books, whereas twelve was the actual number. Fenton was too indolent to raise more than a faint protest against this misstatement, and that only in a private letter. The time-serving Broome, who had expected to gain great credit from his connection with Pope, com

plained that the great man had revised away much of the reputation rightly due to his partners.1 Worse still, he had falsely attributed to them certain of the more unsuccessful portions of the work.

"His dulness is bright enough to be our glory," wrote poor Broome. "He is king of Parnassus, and claims what is good in our translation by prerogative royal. . But, in the meantime, where is his veracity? One time or other, the truth shall be publicly known. Till then, I give him leave to shine like a candle in the dark, which is lighted up to its own diminution, and shines only to go out in stink."

Broome was weak enough to sign a statement, printed at the end of the translation, to the effect that "If my performance has merit either in these [the notes] or in any part of the translation, namely, the sixth, eleventh, and eighteenth books, it is but just to attribute it to the judgment and care of Mr. Pope, by whose hand every sheet was corrected. His other and much more able assistant was Mr. Fenton in the fourth and the twentieth books." Fenton, who had desired to work anonymously, was as near being annoyed at Broome's declaration as was possible to one of his easy-going temper, since he had "retired to the extremest brink of veracity" in his efforts to conceal his share in the undertaking.

Broome took care to let his friends know the true facts of the case, with the result that the clamour against the "undertaker" of the "Odyssey" waxed louder and more vehement. Pope was both annoyed

1 Pope let it be understood that the merit of the work done by his assistants was due to his careful revisal and correction. 2 Broome had translated eight books and Fenton four.

and distressed at the hostility which had been aroused by his little bit of sharp practice. That he was unable to perceive anything reprehensible in his own conduct is proved by a letter in which he assured Broome, of all people in the world, that he knew himself to be an honest and friendly man, nor did he think that he had ever acted an unfair or disreputable part with the public. "This indeed is my sore place; for I care not what they say of my poetry, but a man's morals are of a tenderer nature, and higher consequence."

There are proofs enough and to spare that the poet, whatever his principles of honour, was not wanting in tenderness, and it is only fair to follow the narrative of a shady transaction with an account of a kind and generous action. Some fifteen years before he had been introduced to a Mrs. Cope, a first cousin of Caryll's, whose conversation left a most favourable impression on his mind.' Mrs. Cope had since been deserted by her husband, who, while in service abroad, had bigamously married another woman. She had recently gone to France, where she hoped to meet her brother, and receive some assistance from him. But these hopes proved vain. Pope had sent her money some months before, but he now learnt that her resources were exhausted and that the poor woman, who was in failing health, actually wanted bread. He asked Caryll to help her, recommended her to the good

1 On July 19, 1711, Pope wrote to Caryll: "I am infinitely obliged to you for bringing me acquainted with Mrs. Cope, from whom I heard more wit and sense in two hours than almost all the sex ever spoke in their whole lives."

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