Fab. XIII.
Poetry its Cure.
1
A youth of pregnant Parts and Wit,
And thirsty after Fame,
Was musing long which way to get
An everlasting Name.
2
And having heard of Poetry,
And its immortal Praise;
He thought the way to Fame must ly
By courting of the Bays.
3
He heard how many a noble Town
Laid claim to Homer's Birth,
To purchase from it a Renown
Above the rest of th'Earth.
4
This kindl'd in his generous Mind
A strong and noble Fire:
He seem'd for nothing else design'd,
Could nothing else desire.
5
The Father finding this intent
Ill with his state agreed,
That, living, wanted Six per Cent.
Much more than Fame, when dead:
6
Resolv'd to try to cure his Mind,
And change his vain Designs,
And could no fitter Method find,
Than sending him these Lines:
Seven wealthy Towns contend for Homer Dead,
Through which the Living Homer beg'd.
