 | The Battle of the Poets : Or The Contention for the Laurel |  |
As
youthful Soldiers, bred to Wars Alarms,
Disdain soft Peace, and love to shine in Arms;
Fortune and Fame with glowing Transport view,
And where They fly, with lab'ring Steps pursue.
Disdain soft Peace, and love to shine in Arms;
Fortune and Fame with glowing Transport view,
And where They fly, with lab'ring Steps pursue.
So we, grown weary of inactive Life,
Have dar'd to enter this ambitious Strife!
Fond, flattering Hope, to our desiring Eyes,
Presents your Favours, tempts us now to rise,
And bravely strive for such a glorious Prize.
Long the bright Ornaments of Drury's Stage
Have been the darling Favourites of the Age;
But greedy Fate, and Time's destroying Hand,
The generous Purpose of their Souls withstand.
Since then, in their declining, Others rise,
Blameless we may with Those dispute the Prize.
If Their Endeavours patient you attend,
The like Indulgence may to Us extend.
We hope to please—Let Youth atone each Fault,
Nothing at once is to Perfection brought:
The Seeds of Judgment, like the Fruit of Trees,
Wake into Life, and ripen by Degrees.
Young Cyons, e're they flourish, must take Root;
The Spring must usher in the Summer Fruit.
Have dar'd to enter this ambitious Strife!
Fond, flattering Hope, to our desiring Eyes,
Presents your Favours, tempts us now to rise,
And bravely strive for such a glorious Prize.
Long the bright Ornaments of Drury's Stage
Have been the darling Favourites of the Age;
But greedy Fate, and Time's destroying Hand,
The generous Purpose of their Souls withstand.
Since then, in their declining, Others rise,
Blameless we may with Those dispute the Prize.
If Their Endeavours patient you attend,
The like Indulgence may to Us extend.
We hope to please—Let Youth atone each Fault,
Nothing at once is to Perfection brought:
The Seeds of Judgment, like the Fruit of Trees,
Wake into Life, and ripen by Degrees.
Young Cyons, e're they flourish, must take Root;
The Spring must usher in the Summer Fruit.
| The Battle of the Poets : Or The Contention for the Laurel | |