Those half-learn'd witlings, num'rous in our isle, 40 as half-form'd insects on the banks of Nile; unfinish'd things, one knows not what to call, their generation's so equivocal; 45 to tell them would a hundred tongues require, and wisely curb'd proud man's pretending wit, Like kings we lose the conquests gain'd before, First follow nature, and your judgment frame by her just standard, which is still the same: unerring nature! still divinely bright, one clear, unchang'd, and universal light, life, force, and beauty, must to all impart, at once the source, and end, and test, of art. 50 55 60 65 Art from that fund each just supply provides, 76 80 Some to whom Heav'n in wit has been profuse want as much more to turn it to its use; for wit and judgment often are at strife, tho' meant each other's aid, like man and wife. 'Tis more to guide than spur the Muses' steed, restrain his fury than provoke his speed: the winged courser, like a gen'rous horse, shows most true mettle when you check his course. Those rules of old, discover'd not devis'd, are nature still but nature methodiz'd, . nature, like liberty, is but restrain'd by the same laws which first herself ordain'd. 85 90 Hear how learn'd Greece her useful rules indites, when to repress and when indulge our flights: high on Parnassus' top her sons she show'd, and pointed out those arduous paths they trod; 95 held from afar, aloft, th' immortal prize, 100 and urg'd the rest by equal steps to rise. Just precepts thus from great examples giv'n, she drew from them what they deriv'd from Heav'n ; the gen'rous critic fann'd the poet's fire, and taught the world with reason to admire, then Criticism the muse's handmaid prov'd to dress her charms, and make her more belov'd; but following wits from that intention stray'd; who could not win the mistress woo'd the maid; against the poets their own arms they turn'd, sure to hate most the men from whom they learn'd, No. 79. 3 106 So modern 'pothecaries, taught the art 110 115 [steer, 120 You then whose judgment the right course would know well each ancient's proper character; his fable, subjects, scope in ev'ry page; Religion, country, genius of his age: without all these at once before your eyes cavil you may, but never criticise. Be Homer's works your study and delight, read them by day, and meditate by night; 125 thence from your judgment, thence your maxims and trace the muses upward to their spring; [bring, still with itself compar'd his text peruse; and let your comment be the Mantuan muse. Some beauties yet no precepts can declare, 131 135 140 for there's a happiness as well as care. are nameless graces which no methods teach, (since rules were made but to promote their end) 145 th' intent propos'd, that license is a rule. Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take, 150 155 may boldly deviate from the common track. Great wits sometimes may gloriously offend, and rise to faults true critics dare not mend; from vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, and snatch a grace beyond the reach of art, which, without passing thro' the judgment, gains the heart, and all it's end at once attains. In prospects thus some objects please our eyes, which out of Nature's common order rise, the shapeless rock, or hanging precipice. But tho' the Ancients thus their rules invade, (as kings dispense with laws themselves have made) moderns, beware! or if you must offend against the precept, ne'er transgress it's end; let it be seldom, and compell'd by need; and have, at least, their precedent to plead; the critic else proceeds without remorse, seizes your fame, and puts his laws in force. 160 165 170 I know there are to whose presumptuous thoughts those freer beauties ev'n in them seem faults. Some figures monstrous and mis-shap'd appear consider'd singly or beheld too near, which but proportion'd to their light or place, due distance reconciles to form and grace. A prudent chief not always must display 175 his pow'rs in equal ranks and fair array, Still green with bays each ancient altar stands above the reach of sacrilegious hands, secure from flames, from envy's fiercer rage, destructive war, and all-involving age. 180 See from each clime the learn'd their incense bring! hear in all tongues consenting Pæans ring! in praise so just let ev'ry voice be join'd, and fill the gen'ral chorus of mankind. 186 Hail, Bards triumphant! born in happier days, immortal heirs of universal praise! 190 whose honours with increase of ages grow, as streams roll down, enlarging as they flow; nations unborn your mighty name shall sound, and worlds applaud that must not yet be found! O may some spark of your celestial fire the last, the meanest, of your sons inspire, (that on weak wings, from far, pursues your flights, glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes) to teach vain wits a science little known, 195 t' admire superior sense, and doubt their own! 200 Of all the causes which conspire to blind man's erring judgment, and misguide the mind, what the weak head with strongest bias rules, is pride, the never-failing vice of fools. Whatever nature has in worth deny'd she gives in large recruits of needful pride: for as in bodies thus in souls we find what wants in blood and spirits swell'd with wind: pride, where wit fails steps in to our defence, 205 |