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Well-natur'd Garth inflam'd with early praise,
And Congreve lov'd, and Swift endur'd my Lays; 135
The Courtly Talbot, Somers, Sheffield read,
Ev'n mitred Rochester would nod the head,
And St. John's self (great Dryden's friends before[1])
With open arms receiv'd one Poet more.
Happy my Studies, when by these approv'd! 140
Happier their Author, when by these belov'd!
From these the world will judge of Men and Books,
Not from the [2]Burnets, Oldmixons, and Cooks.
And Congreve lov'd, and Swift endur'd my Lays; 135
The Courtly Talbot, Somers, Sheffield read,
Ev'n mitred Rochester would nod the head,
And St. John's self (great Dryden's friends before[1])
With open arms receiv'd one Poet more.
Happy my Studies, when by these approv'd! 140
Happier their Author, when by these belov'd!
From these the world will judge of Men and Books,
Not from the [2]Burnets, Oldmixons, and Cooks.
Soft were my Numbers, who could take offence
While pure Description held the place of Sense? 145
Like gentle Damon's was my flow'ry Theme,
A painted Mistress, or a purling Stream.
Yet then did Gildon draw his venal quill;
I wish'd the man a dinner, and sate still:
Yet then did Dennis rave in furious fret; 150
I never answer'd, I was not in debt:
If want provok'd, or madness made them print,
I wag'd no war with Bedlam or the Mint.
While pure Description held the place of Sense? 145
Like gentle Damon's was my flow'ry Theme,
A painted Mistress, or a purling Stream.
Yet then did Gildon draw his venal quill;
I wish'd the man a dinner, and sate still:
Yet then did Dennis rave in furious fret; 150
I never answer'd, I was not in debt:
If want provok'd, or madness made them print,
I wag'd no war with Bedlam or the Mint.
Did
