The two dialogues which comprise the Epilogue to the Satires had initially been written and published as separate poems in 1738, Dialogue I in May, and Dialogue II in July. Dialogue I represents the most overt and eloquent statement of his political commitment to that opposition, but by Dialogue II he is beginning to show disillusion with the opposition as well as with the Government. Alexander Pope ironically refers to the adversary, or interlocutor, he establishes in the two dialogues as 'Fr.' (Friend), but the person who assumes such impertinent familiarity with the poet is anything but a true friend. In Dialogue I Pope counters his effrontery with a polite and tolerant irony, but by the time he gets to Dialogue II Pope seems to have realized that irony is wasted on fools and he quite simply crushes him beneath the weight of his indignation.