THE ROSCIAD.
27
Gray-bearded vet'rans, who, with partial tongue,
Extol the times when they themselves were young;
Who, having lost all relish for the stage, 605
See not their own defects, but lash the age,
Receiv'd, with joyful murmurs of applause,
Their darling chief, and lin'd his fav'rite cause.
Extol the times when they themselves were young;
Who, having lost all relish for the stage, 605
See not their own defects, but lash the age,
Receiv'd, with joyful murmurs of applause,
Their darling chief, and lin'd his fav'rite cause.
Far be it from the candid Muse to tread
Insulting o'er the ashes of the dead. 610
But just to living merit, she maintains,
And dares the test, whilst Garrick's Genius reigns;
Ancients, in vain, endeavour to excel,
Happily prais'd if they could act as well.
Insulting o'er the ashes of the dead. 610
But just to living merit, she maintains,
And dares the test, whilst Garrick's Genius reigns;
Ancients, in vain, endeavour to excel,
Happily prais'd if they could act as well.
But, though Prescription's force we disallow, 615
Nor to Antiquity submissive bow;
Though we deny imaginary grace,
Founded on accidents of time and place;
Yet real worth of ev'ry growth shall bear,
Due praise, nor dare we, Q—n, forget thee there. 620
Nor to Antiquity submissive bow;
Though we deny imaginary grace,
Founded on accidents of time and place;
Yet real worth of ev'ry growth shall bear,
Due praise, nor dare we, Q—n, forget thee there. 620
His words bore sterling weight, nervous and strong,
In manly tides of sense they roll'd along.
Happy in art, he chiefly had pretence
To keep up Numbers, yet not forfeit Sense,
In manly tides of sense they roll'd along.
Happy in art, he chiefly had pretence
To keep up Numbers, yet not forfeit Sense,
No
