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The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 (of 10), Poetry - Volume 2

Note 216 — AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM.

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Thus in the first edition:

The more his trouble as the more admired, Where wanted scorned, and envied where acquired.

Against this Pope wrote, "To be altered. See Dennis, p. 20." "How," said Dennis, "can wit be scorned where it is not? The person who wants this wit may indeed be scorned, but such a contempt declares the honour that the contemner has for wit." Pope, in a letter to Caryll, admitted that he had been guilty of a bull, and the reading in the second edition was,

'Tis most our trouble when 'tis most admired, The more we give, the more is still required.

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