Page:Vida's Art of Poetry.djvu/102

'Tis best sometimes an image to express
In its own colours, and its native dress.
The genuine words with happy care to use,
If nicely cull'd, and worthy of the muse.

Some things alternately compar'd are shown,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$
Both names still true, and mutually their own;
But here the least redundance you must shun;
Tell us in short, from whence the hint you drew,
And set the whole comparison to view;
Lest, mindless of your first design, you seem
To lead the mind away, and rove from theme to theme.

But now pursue the method, that affords
The fittest terms, and wisest choice of words.
Not all deserve alike the same regard,
Nor suit the god-like labours of the bard;
For words as much may differ in degree,
As the most various kinds of poetry.
Tho' many a common term and word we find
Disperst promiscuously thro' ev'ry kind.
Those that will never suit th' heroick rage,
Might grace the buskin, and become the stage;

Their