Durgen Or, A Plain Satyr upon a Pompous Satyrist. Amicably Inscrib'd, by the Author, to those Worthy and Ingenious Gentlemen misrepresented in a late invective Poem, call'd, The Dunciad [by Edward Ward] |
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Some, in Dramatick Whimsies, take delight,
And court the Town to flatter what they write;
Try various Scenes and Humours, to engage
Th'uncertain Audience to attend the Stage,
Where Poets, like poor Players, right or wrong,
Must stand, or fall, by the licentious Throng,
Who are too proud and positive to wave
Their antient Privilege to damn or save;
Yet, heedless of true Wit, will judge amiss,
Clap at dull Nonsense, at good Speeches hiss,
Cry down just Merit, falsly give Applause,
As if they made each Play a party Cause.
And court the Town to flatter what they write;
Try various Scenes and Humours, to engage
Th'uncertain Audience to attend the Stage,
Where Poets, like poor Players, right or wrong,
Must stand, or fall, by the licentious Throng,
Who are too proud and positive to wave
Their antient Privilege to damn or save;
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Clap at dull Nonsense, at good Speeches hiss,
Cry down just Merit, falsly give Applause,
As if they made each Play a party Cause.
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