Except I justly could at once commend
A good Companion, and as firm a Friend.
One moral, or a meer well-natur'd deed,
Does all desert in Sciences exceed.
'Tis great Delight to laugh at some men's ways,
But a much greater to give Merit praise.
A good Companion, and as firm a Friend.
One moral, or a meer well-natur'd deed,
Does all desert in Sciences exceed.
'Tis great Delight to laugh at some men's ways,
But a much greater to give Merit praise.
_-_fleuron_020.png)
To Mr. POPE,
By the Right Honourable
ANNE Countess of Winchelsea.
THE Muse, of ev'ry heav'nly gift allow'd
To be the chief, is publick, tho' not proud.
Widely extensive is the Poet's aim,
And, in each verse, he draws a bill on fame.
For none have writ (whatever they pretend)
Singly to raise a Patron or a Friend,
But whatsoe'er the theme or object be,
Some commendations to themselves foresee.
Then let us find, in your foregoing page,
The celebrating Poems of the age,
Nor by injurious scruples think it fit,
To hide their Judgments who applaud your Wit:
But let their pens, to yours, the heralds prove,
Who drive for you as Greece for Homer strove.
To be the chief, is publick, tho' not proud.
Widely extensive is the Poet's aim,
And, in each verse, he draws a bill on fame.
For none have writ (whatever they pretend)
Singly to raise a Patron or a Friend,
But whatsoe'er the theme or object be,
Some commendations to themselves foresee.
Then let us find, in your foregoing page,
The celebrating Poems of the age,
Nor by injurious scruples think it fit,
To hide their Judgments who applaud your Wit:
But let their pens, to yours, the heralds prove,
Who drive for you as Greece for Homer strove.
Whilst
