Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Country Wit who came to Town,
Was wondrous willing to be known,
And that he might not tarry long,
He saw a Play and writ a Song.
But this however not enough,
He went to Will's and borrow'd snuff,
From Dryden's box with many more,
Who beg'd the liberty before;
For you must know amongst the Beaux,
Wit always enters by the Nose,
And passing quickly to the Brain,
Comes tickling down in verse again.

Our Wit thus favour'd writes apace.
You read the Author in his face.
With Sonnet, Elegy and Ode,
He crams a Book and comes abroad.
But Oh! the fate of human things,
In vain he writes, in vain he sings,
The Town uncivilly refuse,
To listen to a Country Muse;
And scarce will condescend to damn,
This mighty Candidate of fame,
Down to his Seat, the Cox-comb goes,
He rail's at Criticks Wits and Beaus.
He swears that non-sence is prefer'd,
That merit never meets reward,
That envy makes the Criticks curse,
His Poems while they publish worse;
That spite of what they think or say,
He'll write or print as well as they.