Pope, Alexander (1688-1744) - Considered the greatest 18th century English
poet. A childhood prodigy, he published his first poetry at sixteen. Pope's
work demonstrates masterful use of the heroic couplet. He is also noted for
his satiric attacks on his contemporaries and his translations of Homer.
An Essay on Man (1734) - Pope's best-known and most frequently quoted poem.
Opening lines of Epistle I: Awake, my St. John! leave all meaner things /
To low ambition, and the pride of kings. ...
