TO MR. J. NICHOLS,
On his History of the Progresses of Queen Elizabeth.[_]
Superlatively impudent, and, I hope, untrue; sent
to me two days after my publication of my Queen
Elizabeth's Progresses, one of which is now actually
in his Majesty's glorious library, at Buckingham-house.
John, though it asks no subtilty of brain
To write Queen Bess's progress through the land;
Excuse the freedom, if, I dare maintain
The theme too high for thee to take in hand.
On Vanity's damn'd rock what thousands split!
Thou shouldst have labour'd on some humbler matter—
On somewhat on a level with thy wit—
For instance—when her majesty made w---.