 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
Defence of Myrtillo .
Long hath it been the Critick's poor Delight,
To damn the Piece, they wanted Sense to write.
Where-e'er superior Qualities abound,
The snarling Crew too surely will be found:
Myrtillo now provokes their venom'd Wit,
He has excell'd, and therefore merits it.
But the bright Youth above their Malice shines,
Secure in his unperishable Lines:
So barking Curs pursue the gen'rous Horse,
Who blest with nobler Parts and greater Force,
Disdains their little Fury to engage,
And is unmov'd at such enervate Rage.
To damn the Piece, they wanted Sense to write.
Where-e'er superior Qualities abound,
The snarling Crew too surely will be found:
Myrtillo now provokes their venom'd Wit,
He has excell'd, and therefore merits it.
But the bright Youth above their Malice shines,
Secure in his unperishable Lines:
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Who blest with nobler Parts and greater Force,
Disdains their little Fury to engage,
And is unmov'd at such enervate Rage.
Here I should stop, lest I my self expose
To the Resentment of Myrtillo's Foes.
For what am I, a poor illit'rate Maid,
That durst their learn'd Authority invade?
True; but my Safety is in being mean,
A foolish Thing, that's plac'd below their Spleen.
Yet had I Merit to deserve their Hate,
I'd mock their Censure and provoke my Fate.
Judicious Heat my glowing Bosom fires,
And equitable Rage my Soul inspires.
I hate the carping Tribe, their Knowledge slight,
Nor would enjoy their Learning with their Spite.
Void of their Envy and its pointed Stings,
I taste Good-nature's more delightful Springs.
Where I see Merit, I admire it too,
A gen'rous Virtue which they never knew.
To the Resentment of Myrtillo's Foes.
For what am I, a poor illit'rate Maid,
That durst their learn'd Authority invade?
True; but my Safety is in being mean,
A foolish Thing, that's plac'd below their Spleen.
Yet had I Merit to deserve their Hate,
I'd mock their Censure and provoke my Fate.
Judicious Heat my glowing Bosom fires,
And equitable Rage my Soul inspires.
I hate the carping Tribe, their Knowledge slight,
Nor would enjoy their Learning with their Spite.
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I taste Good-nature's more delightful Springs.
Where I see Merit, I admire it too,
A gen'rous Virtue which they never knew.
With Pleasure I Myrtillo's Lines peruse,
The charming Products of a vig'rous Muse.
All that is soft, that's delicate and fine,
Does in his Verse in nameless Beauties join.
Such moving Language and the Sense so strong,
While ev'ry Grace adorns the pleasing Song:
Nature and Art, to give me Joys, unite,
And ev'ry Word administers Delight.
But, if there's ought defective or untrue,
Take it, ye Criticks, That belongs to you.
The charming Products of a vig'rous Muse.
All that is soft, that's delicate and fine,
Does in his Verse in nameless Beauties join.
Such moving Language and the Sense so strong,
While ev'ry Grace adorns the pleasing Song:
Nature and Art, to give me Joys, unite,
And ev'ry Word administers Delight.
But, if there's ought defective or untrue,
Take it, ye Criticks, That belongs to you.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |