Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects Occasionally Composed By An Eminent Author. Collected and Published by Sergeant-Major P. F. [i.e. James Howell] |
Upon the great Drammatical Work of B. and
Fletcher, publish'd 1646.
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Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||
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Upon the great Drammatical Work of B. and Fletcher, publish'd 1646.
What? Now the Stage is down, dar'st thou appear,Bold Fletcher, on this tott'ring Hemisphear?
Yes; Poets are like Palms, which the more weight
One casts upon them, grow more strong & streight
'Tis not Joves Thunderbolt, or Mavors Spear,
Nor roaring Neptunes Trident Poets fear.
Had now Grim Ben been breathing, with what rage,
And high-swoln fury had he lash'd this Age?
Shakespear with Chapman had grown mad, and torn
The gentle Soc, and lofty Buskins worn
To make their Muse welter up to the Chin
In blood: Of fained Scœnes no need had bin
England, like Lucians Eagle, with an Arrow
Of her own Plumes piercing her heart quite thorow
Had been the Tragic Scœne, and subject fit
To exercise in real Truths their wit.
Yet, none like high-wing'd Fletcher had bin found
This Eagles dismal Destiny to sound:
Rare Fletchers Quill had soar'd up to the Sky,
And drawn down Gods to see the Tragedy.
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Make thy Bay flourish, and fresh Bourgeons bring:
And since we cannot have Thee tread the Stage,
VVe will applaud Thee in thy silent Page.
Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||