I am sensible this must be done in pure generosity; because whoever writ them, provided they did not themselves, they are still in the same condition.

Gentlemen, if there be any thing in this poem good enough to displease you, and if it be any advantage to you to ascribe it to some person of greater merit, I shall acquaint you for your comfort, that among many other obligations, I owe several hints of it to Dr.Swift.And if you will so far continue your favour as to write against it, I beg you to oblige me in accepting the following motto:-- -- Non tu, in triviis, indocte, solebas Stridenti miserum stipula disperdere carmen ?" Whether Swift gave any direct assistance is doubtful.

Mr.Austin Dobson thinks that it is not improbable that "Trivia" was actually suggested by the "Morning" and "City Shower" which Swift had previously contributed to Steele's _Tatler_.

Probably these are among the "several hints" which Gay had in mind.
"Trivia" was published on January 26th, 1716, and was the one outstanding feature in the year in the biography of Gay.

In the following March 26th there appeared a volume of "Court Poems," published by J.Roberts, who advertised them as from the pen of Pope, though the preface makes the authorship doubtful between Pope, Gay, and a Lady of quality, who was Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.