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] |
 |
 | Durgen |  |
31
Not on their Wit alone, but on their Friends,
The partial World, if they approve the Man,
His Works, tho' trifling, they with favour scan;
But, if a Bard incurrs their disesteem,
By sporting with some bold ingrateful Theme,
They'll blame his Conduct, his Efforts deride,
And all he Writes, tho' well, shall be decry'd:
What Mortal then that seeks a Laurel Crown,
And worthy to be deem'd Apollo's Son,
Would blend his Wit with scandal, to expose
His Friends and metamorphize 'em to Foes?
Since 'tis the Care of e'ery prudent Man,
T'encrease the useful number, if he can;
But some, directed by uncommon fates
Abuse their Friends, as Spendthrifts their Estates,
Till both alike, in time of need, repent,
What one has idly lost, and t'other spent.
| Durgen | |