CHAPTER V.
THE WAR WITH THE DUNCES.
In the Dunciad, published soon after the Odyssey, Pope laments ten years spent as a commentator and translator.

He was not without compensation.
The drudgery--for the latter part of his task must have been felt as drudgery--once over, he found himself in a thoroughly independent position, still on the right side of forty, and able to devote his talents to any task which might please him.

The task which he actually chose was not calculated to promote his happiness.

We must look back to an earlier period to explain its history.

During the last years of Queen Anne, Pope had belonged to a "little senate" in which Swift was the chief figure.