And certain Laws, by fufferers thought unjust, Hopes after hopes of pious Papifts fail'd, While mighty William's thundering arm prevail'd. And me, the Mufes help'd to undergo it; But (thanks to Homer) fince I live and thrive, Sure I fhould want the care of ten Monroes, If I would fcribble, rather than repofe. 8 Years following years, fteal fomething every day, At last they steal us from ourselves away; In one our Frolics, one Amusements end, 60 65 70 In one a Mistress drops, in one a Friend: 75 That turn'd ten thousand verses, now stands still? But Unde fimul primum me demifere Philippi, Eripuere jocos, venerem, convivia, ludum; h But after all, what would you have me do? When out of twenty I can please not two; When this Heroics only deigns to praise, 80 85 90 In crouds, and courts, law, bufinefs, feafts, and friends? My counsel fends to execute a deed: A Poet begs me I will hear him read: In Palace-yard at nine you'll find me there— 95 "Oh ↳ Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque. Tres mihi convivae prope diffentire videntur, Quid dem ? quid non dem ? renuis quod tu, jubet alter: "Oh but a Wit can ftudy in the streets, A hackney-coach may chance to spoil a thought; * Go, lofty Poet! and in fuch a croud, Would drink and doze at Tooting or Earl's-Court. How shall I rhyme in this eternal roar? 100 105 110 How match the bards whom none e'er match'd before? The Hic extremo in Aventino; vifendus uterque. Hac rabiofa fugit canis, hac lutulenta ruit fus. k I nunc, et verfus tecum meditare canoros. Scriptorum chorus omnis amat nemus, et fugit urbes, Rite cliens Bacchi, fomno gaudentis et umbra. The Man, who, ftretch'd in Ifis' calm retreat, To books and study gives feven years complete, See! ftrow'd with learned duft, his nightcap on, He walks, an object new beneath the fun! The boys flock round him, and the people stare: 120 So ftiff, fo mute! fome ftatue you would fwear, Stept from its Pedestal to take the air! And here, while town, and court, and city roars, With mobs, and duns, and foldiers, at their doors; Shall I, in London, act this idle part? Compofing fongs, for Fools to get by heart? 125 m The Temple late two brother Sergeants faw, Who deem'd each other Oracles of Law; With equal talents, thefe congenial fouls, One lull'd th' Exchequer, and one stunn'd the Rolls; Each had a gravity would make you split, And fhook his head at Murray, as a Wit. 'Twas, Tu me inter ftrepitus nocturnos atque diurnos Plerumque, et rifu populum quatit; hic ego rerum m Frater erat Romae confulti rhetor; ut alter 'Twas, "Sir, your law"-" and "Sir, your eloquence," "Yours, Cowper's manner-and yours, Talbot's fenfe." n Thus we difpofe of all poetic merit, 135 140 Yours Milton's genius, and mine Homer's spirit. Call Tibbald Shakespeare, and he'll fwear the Nine, Dear Cibber! never match'd one Ode of thine. Lord! how we ftrut through Merlin's Cave, to fee No Poets there, but Stephen, you, and me. Walk with respect behind, while we at ease Weave laurel Crowns, and take what names we please. "My dear Tibullus !" if that will not do, "Let me be Horace, and be Ovid you : "Or, I'm content, allow me Dryden's ftrains, "And you fhall rife up Otway for your pains." Much do I fuffer, much, to keep in peace This jealous, wafpifh, wrong-head, rhyming race; And n Carmina compono, hic elegos; mirabile vifu, 145 |