EPISTLE TO J. B. ESQ. 1757. AGAIN I urge my old objection, Has laid the walk of genius waste. Is dwindled into declamation. But still you cry in sober sadness, Their verdict makes but small impression, Rise what exalted flights it will, True genius will be genius still; The mettled steed may lose his tricks ; Had Shakespeare crept by modern rules, Nor e'en a branch beyond the border: The growth of twice three hundred years; Where many a tree aspiring shrouds It's airy summit in the clouds, While round it's root still love to twine The ivy or wild eglantine. "But Shakespeare's all creative fancy "Made others love extravagancy; "While cloud-capt nonsense was their aim, "Like Hurlothrumbo's mad lord Flame." True—who can stop dull imitators ? Fashion, that sets the modes of dress, Sought Shakespeare's fancy and sublime; But Pope and Shakespeare both disclaim What task can dulness e'er affect So, to avoid th' extremes of either, They miss their mark and follow neither; They so exactly poise the scale That neither measure will prevail, And mediocrity the Muse Did never in her sons excuse. "Tis true their tawdry works are grac'd. With all the charms of modern taste, And every senseless line is drest Whose ruffle, as it lank depends, For lace, and fringe, and tawdry cloaths, And shall these wretches bards commence, Without or spirit, taste, or sense? And when they bring no other treasure, Because I will not learn of fools? Although Longinus' full-mouth'd prose And shews how beauty strikes the soul A race of blockheads dull and vain, These butchers of a poet's fame, While they usurp the critic's name, Cry" This is taste-that's my opinion." And poets dread their mock dominion. So have you seen with dire affright, The petty monarch of the night, Seated aloft in elbow chair, Command the prisoners to appear, Harangue an hour on watchmen's praise, And on the dire effect of frays; They cry, "You'll suffer for your daring, "And d-n you, you shall pay for swearing." Then turning, tell th' astonish'd ring, "I sit to represent the KING." |