University of Virginia Library

A Congratulatory POEM; Inscribed to Mr. Gay, on his Valour and Success behind Drury-Lane Scenes.

I sing the Man who bravely shows
His Courage 'gainst a Host of Foes!
So full of Fury, he'll resent
What ne'er for Injury was meant.
We oft have read in Ancient Story,
Of Heroes, who would fight for Glory;
Their Fortune try in Bloody Field,
And rather chuse to dye than yield:
But never heard of Poetaster,
By Courage brought into Disaster.
But now our Modern Bards can fight
As Bravely, as they Wisely write,
And dare, to show that they're stout-hearted,
Draw Sword, when certain to be parted.
But Johnny Gay's the Bravest Mind;
He War proclaims 'gainst all Mankind,
And does to his Assistance call
Little wise Pope, the Devil and all.
As when a Lame Man, and a Blind,
To Beg together are inclin'd,
The one, the other's Want supplies;
This finds the Legs, and That the Eyes:
So these our worthy Bards accord,
Pope finds the Pen, and Gay the Sword;
And may for Satire, and for Courage,
B' esteem'd the Champions of our Age.
'Tis true, they had a damn'd Miscarriage,
In their Three Hours After Marriage.
When kindly thinking to delight us,
They brought on Monsters, to affright us,
Wonders from Ægypt, and from Nile,
A Mummy, and a Crocodile.
Th'expecting Audience had hope,
Amidst the Monsters to've seen Pope:
So good a Jest how could they 'scape,
The Town would-think't some merry Ape,
Dress'd up in Masquerading Show,
To represent an awkard Beau.
Some People think most Popes are Evil:
But all agree, this Pope's the Devil.
Then, Gay, be kind, and cease to teize;
Forbear to Write, or learn to Please.