( 4 )
Degrading Prose explains his meaning ill,
And shews the Stuff, but not the Workman's skill.
I (who have serv'd him more than twenty years)
Scarce know my Master as He there appears.
Vain are our Neighbours Hopes, and Vain their Cares,
The Fault is more their Languages, then theirs.
'Tis copious, florid, pleasing to your Ear;
With softness, more perhaps, then Ours can bear.
But who did ever in French Authors see
The Comprehensive, English Energy?
The weighty Bullion of One Sterling Line,
Drawn to French Wire, would through whole Pages Shine.
I speak my Private, but Impartial sense,
With Freedom, and (I hope) without offence:
For I'le Recant, when France can shew me Wit,
As strong as Ours, and as succinctly Writ.
And shews the Stuff, but not the Workman's skill.
I (who have serv'd him more than twenty years)
Scarce know my Master as He there appears.
Vain are our Neighbours Hopes, and Vain their Cares,
The Fault is more their Languages, then theirs.
'Tis copious, florid, pleasing to your Ear;
With softness, more perhaps, then Ours can bear.
But who did ever in French Authors see
The Comprehensive, English Energy?
The weighty Bullion of One Sterling Line,
Drawn to French Wire, would through whole Pages Shine.
I speak my Private, but Impartial sense,
With Freedom, and (I hope) without offence:
For I'le Recant, when France can shew me Wit,
As strong as Ours, and as succinctly Writ.
'Tis
