TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
157
With courage and success you the bold work begin;
Your cradle has not idle been:
None e'er, but Hercules and you, would be
At five years age worthy a history.
And ne'er did Fortune better yet
Th' historian to the story fit:
As you from all old errors free
And purge the body of Philosophy;
So from all modern follies he
Has vindicated Eloquence and Wit.
His candid style like a clean stream does slide,
And his bright fancy, all the way,
Does like the sun-shine in it play;
It does, like Thames, the best of rivers! glide.
Where the God does not rudely overturn,
But gently pour, the crystal urn,
And with judicious hand does the whole current guide:
'T has all the beauties Nature can impart,
And all the comely dress, without the paint, of Art,
