CANTO THE SIXTEENTH.
I. The antique Persians taught three useful things, To draw the bow, to ride, and speak the truth. ^ This was the mode of Cyrus, best of kings — A mode adopted since by modern youth. Bows have they, generally with two strings ; Horses they ride without remorse or ruth ; At speaking truth perhaps they are less clever, But draw the long bow better now than ever. II. The cause of this effect, or this defect, — " For this effect defective comes by cause," — * Is what I have not leisure to inspect ; But this I must say in my own applause, Of all the Muses that I recollect, Whate'er may be her follies or her flaws In some things, mine 's beyond all contradiction The most sincere that ever dealt in fiction. III. And as she treats all things, and ne'er retreats From anything, this Epic will contain A wilderness of the most rare conceits. Which you might elsewhere hope to find in vain. 'T is true there be some bitters with the sweets, Yet mixed so slightly, that you can't complain, . March 29, 1823. . [Herodotus, Hist., . 136.]
. [Hamlet, act ii. so. 2, line 103.]
