The Bays Miscellany or Colley Triumphant: containing I. The Petty-Sessions of Poets. II. The Battle of the Poets, or the Contention for the Laurel; as it is now Acting at the New Theatre in the Hay-Market. III. The Battle of the Poets. An Heroic Poem. In Two Canto's. With the True Characters of the several Poets therein mention'd; and just Reasons why not qualify'd for the Laurel. The Whole design'd as a Specimen of those Gentlemens Abilities, without Prejudice or Partiality. Written by Scriblerus Quartus [i.e. Thomas Cooke] |
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[The OATH.] |
 | The Bays Miscellany |  |
[The OATH.]
When you write Sonnets, swear no finish'd Lines,
Where easy Wit in just Expression shines,
Shall once appear.—To be no thieving Ass,
(Tho' hard thy Forehead as Corinthian Brass)
Profoundly swear, lest what you call your own
Be prov'd another's, for your Parts are known.
Whene'er you choose an Epigram to write,
Swear to be waggish, very unpolite;
In Elegy that you will ne'er appear
Natural, Easy, Strong, Succinct or Clear;
If to the Odes, Pindarick Odes, you soar,
To be stark mad, and like a Tempest roar;
And when in Satyr you delight to rail,
To write with toothless Head, and stingless Tail;
In Panegyricks daub your Patron well.
In all thy Thoughts and Actions still be sure
To mock the Force of Intrepidity.
“All Nonsense thus of old or modern Date,
“Shall in thee center, from thee circulate.
[Dangle drinks, and gives the Tankard to Fribble.
Where easy Wit in just Expression shines,
Shall once appear.—To be no thieving Ass,
(Tho' hard thy Forehead as Corinthian Brass)
Profoundly swear, lest what you call your own
Be prov'd another's, for your Parts are known.
Whene'er you choose an Epigram to write,
Swear to be waggish, very unpolite;
In Elegy that you will ne'er appear
Natural, Easy, Strong, Succinct or Clear;
If to the Odes, Pindarick Odes, you soar,
To be stark mad, and like a Tempest roar;
And when in Satyr you delight to rail,
To write with toothless Head, and stingless Tail;
In Panegyricks daub your Patron well.
In all thy Thoughts and Actions still be sure
23
“All Nonsense thus of old or modern Date,
“Shall in thee center, from thee circulate.
Frib.
All this I swear, I'll prove to all Mankind,
None better for this Honour is design'd:
Already they perceive how I can write,
This be my Poison but I'll do thee Right.
[Drinks.
[The Officers put the Wreath on his Head.]
| The Bays Miscellany | |