University of Virginia Library

To his FRIEND Mr. HENRY DICKINSON, ON HIS Translation of Father Simon's Critical History of the Old Testament .

What senseless Loads have overcharg'd the Press,
Of French Impertinence, in English Dress?
How many dull Translators every Day
Bring new Supplies of Novel, Farce or Play?
Like damn'd French Pensioners, with foreign aid
Their native Land with Nonsense to invade;
'Till we're o'er-run more with the Wit of France,
Her nauseous Wit, than with her Protestants.
But, Sir, this noble Piece obligeth more
Than all their Trash has plagu'd the Town before:
With various Learning, Knowledge, Strength of thought,
Order and Art, and solid Judgment fraught;
No less a Piece than this could make amends
For all the trump'ry France amongst us sends.
Nor let ill-grounded, superstitious Fear
Fright any but the Fools from reading here.
The sacred Oracles may well endure
Th'exactest search, of their own Truth secure;
Though at this Piece some noisie Zealots bawl,
And to their Aid a num'rous Faction call
With stretch'd out Arms, as if the Ark could fall;
Yet wiser Heads will think so firm it stands,
That, were it shook, 'twould need no mortal Hands.