Poems, and phancies written By the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, And Excellent Princess The Lady Marchioness of Newcastle [i.e. Margaret Cavendish]. The Second Impression, much Altered and Corrected |
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 | Poems, and phancies |  |
152
Of Poets, and their Theft.
As
Birds, to Hatch their Young ones, sit i'th' Spring,
So do some Ages Broods of Poets bring,
Which to the World in Verse do sweetly Sing;
So do some Ages Broods of Poets bring,
Which to the World in Verse do sweetly Sing;
And as their Notes, not Art, but Nature taught,
So Fancies in the Brain by Nature wrought
Are Best; what Imitation makes is Naught:
So Fancies in the Brain by Nature wrought
Are Best; what Imitation makes is Naught:
For though these Sing as well, as well may be,
And make their Notes of what they Learn, agree;
Yet he that Teaches, has the Mastery,
And make their Notes of what they Learn, agree;
Yet he that Teaches, has the Mastery,
And ought to have the Crown of Praise and Fame,
In the long Role of Time to Write his Name;
But those that Steal from him are much to blame.
In the long Role of Time to Write his Name;
But those that Steal from him are much to blame.
There's none, should places have in Fame's High Court,
But those that first do Win Invention's Fort:
Not Messengers which only make Report.
But those that first do Win Invention's Fort:
Not Messengers which only make Report.
153
To Messengers rewards of Thanks are due
For their great Pains, telling their Message true;
But not the Honour of Invention new.
For their great Pains, telling their Message true;
But not the Honour of Invention new.
Many there are, that Suits will make to wear,
Of several Patches, stolen both here and there;
That to the World they Gallants might appear:
Of several Patches, stolen both here and there;
That to the World they Gallants might appear:
And the poor Vulgar, which but little know,
Do Reverence all, that makes a Glist'ring show;
Examine not, how it comes to be so:
Do Reverence all, that makes a Glist'ring show;
Examine not, how it comes to be so:
Then do they call their Friends, and all their Kin,
And Factions make, the Ignorant to win;
VVith whose help they to Fame's High Court crowd in.
And Factions make, the Ignorant to win;
VVith whose help they to Fame's High Court crowd in.
| Poems, and phancies | |