To a FRIEND; With the aforegoing COPY. A CCEPT, Dear Hal, and kindly ufe The Off-spring of an homely Mufe, Not fit indeed 'fore you t' appear, Nor yet for M--t's fofter Ear; Is fo admir'd, ador'd by thee, Enrich'd by that the matchless Dame, An ADDISON, a POPE might claim: Tho' each forc'd Line you may averr, You'll pardon ftill and be appeas'd, Because from One that wou'd have pleas'd. A Poem fhou'd be Nine Years Old, * Vid, Hor. E'er E'er to the World it shows its Face, But that! that's not our prefent Cafe; This, born fcarce Nince Hours fince, appears, And ev❜n defcends to Dennis Ears. But tho' with LTNCEUS well you might Contend Priority in Sight; Yet you not like an Eagle can, Or Serpent Epidaurean, Difcern the Vices of your Friend: Here meritoriously Blind,. Juft like your LADY's Imperfections, (So great to both are your Affections) You cannot fee; or if in cafe By Chance you shou'd, ev'n they will please. Defperfe the Cloud before your Eyes, O'ercaft by ill-tim'd Clemencies; But yet don't be too-too-fevere. At fome few Faults be not offended If fome few Beauties are but blended: But But whil'ft you read, when in your Way Occafion, check my tow'ring Mind. High wou'd I walk, but yet not fly. (To them fuch Liberty was granted) That CUPID's turn'd Philofopher, * Vid. Prior. Q 2 And For all those learned Things HE faidy mín 10,000 Blue-Ey'd MINERVA put in's Head." Methinks I hear you fit to Battles.ro Cry Imitators, fervile Cattle! Thofe Words pronounc'd 'gainst Imitators, 1 Vid. Hom. + Vid. Hor. There's There's none in my Opinion, who My Meaning, like my felf, can know: If therefore it is I that know it Beft, 'tis I that beft can fhow it. In fine if you are pleas'd, in vain I have not ftrove, and crack'd my Brain. But if these Lines, as I fuppofe, Shou'd caufe fome Wrinckles in your Nose, That you hereafter may be free From what offends you, troubles me; To |