University of Virginia Library

To Mr. Higgons on his PLAY, call'd, THE Generous Conquerour.

Could I my Voice by thy Example raise,
Or as I love thy Vertues, sing thy Praise;
My Muse for ever should record thy Name,
Assert thy Merit, and confirm thy Fame:
Methinks I see Great Dryden's Sacred Shade
Direct thy Pen, thy manly Genius Aid,
Dryden the Glory of our British Isles,
That mighty Bard, with Secret Pleasure smiles;
The mighty Bard, with Pleasure Smiles to see,
The Transmigration of his Soul to thee;
Griev'd that he can't this weary Life renew,
And pay the Tribute to thy Merit due;
Some Noble Thought in finer Phrase to dress,
And what I can but think of Thee, express.
If Unity of Action, Time and place
Observ'd with care give Harmony, and Grace;
If Numbers, if Idea's Just, and Bright,
And Nature thro' the whole still kept in sight,
If Vice Opprest, and Innocence preserv'd,
If Vertue crown'd, have due Applause deserv'd,
Be thou secure: For what Thou now hast writ,
Needs not the common Aid of others Wit;
Supported by the Worth, the Coin will pass
Thro' the intrinsick Value of the Mass;
For the impression of a Royal Mould
May Grace, but cannot dignifie the Gold,
But Grieve not Thou, nor think it worth defence
That conscious Faction would pervert thy Sense,
For 'tis a True and Long experienc'd Rule,
That Vertue shocks the Knave, and Sense the Fool.
Then let not this, my Friend, thy Muse Engage
To lash the Vices of a hardned Age,
Below thy Satyr, and not worth thy Rage;
Do what thou can'st still Malespines will be,
And every Malespine, a Foe to Thee.