Poems upon Several Occasions/80
excellent Tragedy, call'd
The Generous Conqueror.
YOUR Comick Writer is a common Foe:
None can intrigue in Peace, or be a Beau,
Nor wanton Wife nor Widow can be sped,
Not even Russel can inter the Dead,
But strait this Censor, in his Whym of Wit,
Strips, and presents you naked to the Pit.
Thus Criticks shou'd, like these, be branded Foes,
Who for the Poison only suck the Rose,
Rejecting what is sweet, like Vultures they
Feed only on the Carrion of a Play,
Snarling and carping without Wit or Sense,
Impeach Mistakes, o'erlooking Excellence,
As if to ev'ry Fop it might belong
Like Senators to censure, right or wrong.
But generous Wits have more heroick Views,
And Love and Honour are the Themes they chuse.
From yon bright Heav'n[1] our Author fetch'd his Fire,
And paints the Passions that your Eyes inspire;
Full of that Flame, his tender Scenes he warms,
And frames his Goddess by your matchless Charms.
- ↑ To the Ladies.