Next pleas'd his excellence a town to batter; (Its name I know not, and 'tis no great matter) 45 Bred up at home, full early I begun, 50 55 And certain laws, by suff'rers thought unjust, 60 Deny'd all posts of profit or of trust: Hopes after hopes of pious papists fail'd, While mighty WILLIAM's thund'ring arm prevail'd. For right hereditary tax'd and fin'd, He stuck to poverty with peace of mind; 65 And VER. 57. in Maudlin's learned grove.] He had a partiality for this college in Oxford, in which he had spent many agreeable days with his friend Mr. Digby, who provided rooms for him at that college. VER. 60. by suff'rers thought unjust,] By orders from government for the removal of Papists to a certain distance from the metropolis. And me, the muses help'd to undergo it; But, (thanks to Homer,) since I live and thrive, Sure I should want the care of ten Monroes, If I would scribble, rather than repose. Years following years, steal something ev'ry day, At last they steal us from ourselves away; In one our frolics, one amusements end, In one a mistress drops, in one a friend : 75 This subtle thief of life, this paltry Time, What will it leave me, if it snatch my rhyme? That turn'd ten thousand verses, now stands still? But after all, what would you have me do? When out of twenty I can please not two; When this heroics only deigns to praise, Sharp satire that, and that Pindaric lays? 80 One likes the pheasant's wing, and one the leg; 85 But grant I may relapse, for want of grace, Again to rhyme; can London be the place? Who there his muse, or self, or soul attends, In crowds, and courts, law, bus'ness, feasts, and 90 friends? My VER. 70. Monroes,] Dr. Monroe, physician to Bedlam hospital VER. 87. Oldfield-Dartineuf] Two celebrated gluttons. My counsel sends to execute a deed : In Palace-yard at nine you'il find me there— "And raise his mind above the mob he meets.' รา A hackney-coach may chance to spoil a thought; 95 100 Have you not seen, at Guildhall's narrow pass, 105 Two aldermen dispute it with an ass? Go, lofty Poet! and in such a crowd, Blackmore himself, for any grand effort,. Would drink and doze at Tooting or Earl's-Court. How shall I rhyme in this eternal roar? 114 How match the bards whom none e'er match'd before? The man, who stretch'd in Isis' calm retreat, To books and study gives sev'n years complete. See! VER. 113. Toating-Earl's-Court] Two villages within a few miles of London. See! strow'd with learned dust, his nightcap on, And here, while town, and court, and city roars, Composing songs, for fools to get by heart? The Temple late two brother serjeants saw, Who deem'd each other oracles of law ; 119 125 One lull'd th' Exchequer, and one stunn'd the Rolls; Each had a gravity would make you split, 131 And shook his head at MURRAY, as a wit. [quence," " 'Twas, Sir, your law," and "Sir, your elo"Yours, Cowper's manner-and yours, Talbot's Thus we dispose of all poetic merit, 135 Yours Milton's genius, and mine Homer's spirit. Call Tibbald Shakespear, and he'll swear the Nine, Dear Cibber! never match'd one ode of thine. Lord! how we strut through Merlin's Cave, to see No poets there, but Stephen, you, and me. 140 Walk VER. 140. but Stephen,] Mr. Stephen Duck, a modest and worthy. man, esteemed by Mr. Pope. Queen Caroline chose this man for her favourite poet. By the interest of Mr. Spence, who had a sincere regard for Stephen Duck, whose life he wrote, and published his poems, he obtained the living of Byfleet in Surry. He was unfortunately drowned at Reading, 1756. Walk with respect behind, while we at ease Weave laurel crowns, and take what names we please. 66 My dear Tibullus!" if that will not dổ, "Let me be Horace, and be Ovid you: "Or, I'm content, allow me Dryden's strains, 145 150 156 In vain, bad rhymers all mankind reject, They treat themselves with most profound respect; 'Tis to small purpose that you hold your tongue, Each prais'd within, is happy all day long; But how severely with themselves proceed The men, who write such verse as we can read? Their own strict judges, not a word they spare That wants or force, or light, or weight, or care, Howe'er unwillingly it quits its place, Nay tho' at court (perhaps) it may find grace: Such they'll degrade; and sometimes, in its stead, In downright charity revive the dead; Mark where a bold expressive phrase appears, 161 165 Bright through the rubbish of some hundred years; Command old words that long have slept, to wake, Words, that wise Bacon, or brave Raleigh spake ; Or |