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] |
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Upon the Poems of Dr. Aylet,
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 | Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects |  |
Upon the Poems of Dr. Aylet,
An Ancient Master of the Chancery.
Though the Castalian Dames (and all the rest
Of women-kind) love youthful spirits best,
Yet I have known them oftentimes inspire
Autumnal brains with heats of Enthean fire:
Nay, 'tis observ'd in those whom Phœbus loves,
The more the Sense impairs, the Soul improves;
He darts on Aged Trees so bright a stroke,
As on the Standel of a lustie Oke.
This work of yours, this mirrour of your minde,
Is a clear proof hereof, wherein I finde
Your Autumn, Spring, and Summer still the same,
Your Evening, Morn and Noon have the like flame
Of Apollinean fire, in such degree
May melt the Readers into Poesie:
Your Fancie with the Leaf doth neither fall
Nor fade, but still is sappy, streight and tall.
Of women-kind) love youthful spirits best,
Yet I have known them oftentimes inspire
Autumnal brains with heats of Enthean fire:
Nay, 'tis observ'd in those whom Phœbus loves,
The more the Sense impairs, the Soul improves;
He darts on Aged Trees so bright a stroke,
As on the Standel of a lustie Oke.
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Is a clear proof hereof, wherein I finde
Your Autumn, Spring, and Summer still the same,
Your Evening, Morn and Noon have the like flame
Of Apollinean fire, in such degree
May melt the Readers into Poesie:
Your Fancie with the Leaf doth neither fall
Nor fade, but still is sappy, streight and tall.
Here are no whimsies, and strong Lines that swell,
And more of Garlick then the Lamp do smell;
Such as those rambling Rimers use to vent,
Who raise their Muse on stilts, and not content
To tread on earth, do mount so high a stair,
That their conceits prove Non-sense, Froth and Air.
And more of Garlick then the Lamp do smell;
Such as those rambling Rimers use to vent,
Who raise their Muse on stilts, and not content
To tread on earth, do mount so high a stair,
That their conceits prove Non-sense, Froth and Air.
Here's no such Stuff, but Substance and rare Sense,
Sound Rules and Precepts may be cull'd out hence:
Your Quadrains Symphonize with Pybracks strains,
As if his Soul were transient in your brains.
Your smooth just Cadencies, and gentle Verse,
Suit with the pious Matter you rehearse,
As all will judge, who have their brains well knit,
And do not love extravagance of Wit.
If such your Readers be, you need not fly
From any Sentence to the Chancery.
Sound Rules and Precepts may be cull'd out hence:
Your Quadrains Symphonize with Pybracks strains,
As if his Soul were transient in your brains.
Your smooth just Cadencies, and gentle Verse,
Suit with the pious Matter you rehearse,
As all will judge, who have their brains well knit,
And do not love extravagance of Wit.
If such your Readers be, you need not fly
From any Sentence to the Chancery.
| Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | |