 | Alexander Pope: Minor poems |  |
VERSES To be prefix'd before BERNARD LINTOT's New MISCELLANY.
Some Colinæus praise, some Bleau,Others account 'em but so so;
Some Plantin to the rest prefer,
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Others with Aldus would besot us;
I, for my part, admire Lintottus.—
His Character's beyond Compare,
Like his own Person, large and fair.
They print their Names in Letters small,
But Lintot stands in Capital:
Author and he, with equal Grace,
Appear, and stare you in the Face:
Stephens prints Heathen Greek, 'tis said,
Which some can't construe, some can't read:
But all that comes from Lintot's Hand
Ev'n Ra---son might understand.
Oft in an Aldus, or a Plantin,
A Page is blotted, or Leaf wanting:
Of Lintot's Books this can't be said,
All fair, and not so much as read.
Their Copy cost 'em not a Penny
To Homer, Virgil, or to any;
They ne'er gave Sixpence for two Lines,
To them, their Heirs, or their Assigns:
But Lintot is at vast Expence,
And pays prodigious dear for—Sense.
Their Books are useful but to few,
A Scholar, or a Wit or two:
Lintot's for gen'ral Use are fit;
For some Folks read, but all Folks sh---.
| Alexander Pope: Minor poems | |