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The occasion of this Impos'd
CROWNE.
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fter this not onely Prince of Poets, but Philosophers, had written his two great Poems, of Iliads & Odysses; which (for their first Lights borne before all Learning) were worthily call'd the Sunne and Moone of the Earth; (finding no compensation) he writ, in contempt of Men, this ridiculous Poem of Vermin, giuing them Nobility of Birth, valorous elocution not inferior to his Heroes. At which the Gods themselues put in amaze, call'd Counsailes about their assistance of either Armie, and the iustice of their Quarrels, euen to the mounting of loues Artillery against them, and discharge of his three-forckt flashes: and all for the deuouring of a Mouse. After which sleight and onely recreatiue touch, hee betooke him seriously to the honor of the Gods; in Hymn's resounding all their peculiar Titles, Iurisdiction, and Dignities; which hee illustrates at all parts, as he had beene continually conuersant amongst them: and whatsoeuer autentique Poesie he omitted in the Episods, contained in his Iliads and Odysses; he comprehends and concludes in his Hym'ns and Epigrams. Al his obseruance and honor of the Gods, rather mou'd their enuies against him, then their rewards, or respects of his endeauours. And so like a Man verecundi ingenij (which he witnesseth of himselfe) he liu'd vnhonord and needie till his death; yet notwithstanding all mens seruile and manacled Miseries, to his most absolute and neuer-equall'd Merite; yea euen bursten profusion to Imposture and Impiety; heare our-euer-the Same intranced, and neuer-sleeping Master of the Muses, to his last accent, incomparablie singing.
