150

Some lucky license answer to the full
Th' intent proposed, that license is a rule.
Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take,
May boldly deviate from the common track;
From vulgar bounds with brave disorder
part,

And snatch a grace beyond the reach of
Art,

Which, without passing through the judgment, gains

The heart, and all its end at once attains. 155 In prospects thus some objects please our eyes,

Which out of Nature's common order rise, The shapeless rock, or hanging precipice. Great Wits sometimes may gloriously offend,

And rise to faults true Critics dare not mend.

160

pear,

Considered singly, or beheld too near,
Which, but proportioned to their light or
place,

Due distance reconciles to form and grace.
A prudent chief not always must display 175
His powers in equal ranks and fair array,
But with th' occasion and the place comply,
Conceal his force, nay, seem sometimes to
fly.

Those oft are stratagems which errors seem,
Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. 180
Still green with bays each ancient altar
stands

Above the reach of sacrilegious hands, Secure from flames, from Envy's fiercer rage,

Destructive war, and all-involving Age.
See from each clime the learned their incense

Hail, Bards triumphant! born in happier days,

190

Immortal heirs of universal praise!
Whose honours with increase of ages grow,
As streams roll down, enlarging as they flow;
Nations unborn your mighty names shall
sound,

And worlds applaud that must not yet be found!

Oh, may some spark of your celestial fire 195 The last, the meanest of your sons inspire, (That on weak wings, from far, pursues your flights,

Glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes)

To teach vain Wits a science little known, T'admire superior sense, and doubt their

While from the bounded level of our mind Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind:

But more advanced, behold with strange surprise

New distant scenes of endless science rise! So pleased at first the tow'ring Alps we try,

225

Mount o'er the vales, and seem to tread the

sky;

Th' eternal snows appear already past,

As e'er could Dennis, of the Grecian stage; 270
Concluding all were desperate sots and fools
Who durst depart from Aristotle's rules.
Our author, happy in a judge so nice,
Produced his play, and begged the knight's
advice;

Made him observe the Subject and the
Plot,

275

The Manners, Passions, Unities; what not? All which exact to rule were brought about, Were but a combat in the lists left out. 'What! leave the combat out?' exclaims the knight.

'Yes, or we must renounce the Stagyrite.' 280 'Not so, by Heaven! (he answers in a rage) Knights, squires, and steeds, must enter on the stage."

'So vast a throng the stage can ne'er contain.'

"Then build a new, or act it in a plain.' Thus critics of less judgment than ca

price,

285

The naked nature and the living grace, With gold and jewels cover every part, 295 And hide with ornaments their want of Art. True Wit is Nature to advantage dressed, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed;

Something whose truth convinced at sight we find,

That gives us back the image of our mind. 300 As shades more sweetly recommend the light, So modest plainness sets off sprightly wit: For works may have more wit than does 'em good,

As bodies perish through excess of blood. Others for language all their care ex

Which nauseate all, and nothing can digest. Yet let not each gay turn thy rapture

move;

390

For fools admire, but men of sense approve: As things seem large which we through mists descry,

Dulness is ever apt to magnify.

Some foreign writers, some our own despise;

The ancients only, or the moderns prize. 395 Thus Wit, like Faith, by each man is applied To one small sect, and all are damned beside.

Meanly they seek the blessing to confine, And force that sun but on a part to shine, Which not alone the southern wit sublimes, 400

But ripens spirits in cold northern climes;
Which from the first has shone on ages past,
Enlights the present, and shall warm the
last;

Though each may feel increases and decays,
And see now clearer and now darker days. 405
Regard not then if wit be old or new,
But blame the False and value still the True.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their

And none had sense enough to be confuted.

Scotists and Thomists now in peace remain Amidst their kindred cobwebs in Duck Lane. 445

If faith itself has diff'rent dresses worn, What wonder modes in Wit should take their turn?

Oft, leaving what is natural and fit,
The current Folly proves the ready Wit;
And authors think their reputation safe, 450
Which lives as long as fools are pleased to
laugh.

Some, valuing those of their own side of mind,

Still make themselves the measure of mankind:

Fondly we think we honour merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other

New Blackmores and new Milbourns must

arise.

Nay, should great Homer lift his awful

head,

Zoilus again would start up from the dead.

465

Envy will Merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow proves the substance true;

For envied Wit, like Sol eclipsed, makes known

Th' opposing body's grossness, not its own.