Stenn'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age, But fee each muse in Leo's golden days, 700 Starts from her trance, and trims her wither'd bays! 795 710 But foon by impious arms from Latium chac'd, Their ancient bounds the banish'd muses paft; Thence arts o'er all the northern world advance; 715 The rules, a nation born to ferve obeys; And Boileau ftill in right of Horace fways; But we, brave Britons, foreign laws defpis'd, * Hieronymus Vida, an excellent Latin poet, who writ an art of poetry in verfe. He flourish'd in the time of Leo the tenth. 3 Fierce Barbariæ obnixus torrentia tempora vincit, At Leo jam rurfus viden' aurea fecula condit, Sertaque neglectis revirefcunt laurea mufis! Antiquus Romæ Genius de pulvere facro Attollit fublime caput. Tunc cœpit amari Sculptura atque artes fociæ, cælataque rupes 755 Vivere, et in pulchras lapides mollescere formas; 760 Atque ftylo & calamo Raphael & Vida vigebant; Intertexta hederis critici geminata refulgent: Jamque æquat claram tibi, Mantua, Vida Cremonam, Utque loci, fic femper erit vicinia famæ. 765 Mox autem profugæ metuentes improba musæ 770 Angliacus Fierce for the liberties of wit, and bold, 720 Yet fome there were among the founder few Of those who lefs prefum'd, and better knew, Who durft affert the juster ancient cause, Such was the muse, whose rules and practice tell, * Nature's chief mafter-piece is writing well. Such was Rofcommon---not more learn'd than good, 725 To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, 730 Such late was Walsh---the muse's judge and friend; To failings mild, but zealous for defert; The clearest head, and the fincereft heart. 735 This humble praise, lamented fhade! receive, This praise at least a grateful muse may give! The mufe, whofe early voice you taught to fing, Prescrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing; (Her guide now loft) no more pretends to rise, 740 But in low numbers fhort excurfions tries; Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, * Effay on poetry, by the duke of Buckingham. 4 Careless Angliacus pugnat genius, Romamque magistram, Corda, licet tumefacta minûs, magis alta gerentes, Inque bafi antiquâ leges & jura locandi. Talis, qui cecinit doctrinæ exemplar & author, 775 "Ars bene fcribendi naturæ eft fumma poteftas." 780 785 790 795 Cenfuram |