Page:Vida's Art of Poetry.djvu/18

A full and proper series to maintain,
And draw the just connection in a chain;
By stated bounds your progress to controul,
To join the parts, and regulate the whole.

And now 'tis time to spread the op'ning sails
Wide to the wanton winds, and flatt'ring gales;
'Tis time we now prescribe the genuine laws
To raise the beauteous fabrick with applause;
But first some method requisite appears
To form the boy; and mold his tender years.
In vain the bard the sacred wreath pursues,
Unless trained up, and season'd to the muse.
Soon as the prattling innocent shall reach
To the first use and rudiments of speech,
Ev'n then, by Helicon he ought to rove,
Even then the tuneful nine should win his love
By just degrees. ---But make his guide your choice
For his chast phrase, and elegance of voice;
That he at first successfully may teach
The methods, laws, and discipline of speech;

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