( 13 )
May some choice Patron bless each gray goose quill!
May ev'ry Bavius have his Bufo still!
So, when a Statesman wants a Day's defence, 240
Or Envy holds a whole Week's war with Sense,
Or simple Pride for Flatt'ry makes demands;
May Dunce by Dunce be whistled off my hands!
Blest be the Great! for those they take away,
And those they leave me—For they left me Gay,
Left me to see neglected Genius bloom,
Neglected die! and tell it on his Tomb;
Of all thy blameless Life the sole Return
My Verse, and Queensb'ry weeping o'er thy Urn!
May ev'ry Bavius have his Bufo still!
So, when a Statesman wants a Day's defence, 240
Or Envy holds a whole Week's war with Sense,
Or simple Pride for Flatt'ry makes demands;
May Dunce by Dunce be whistled off my hands!
Blest be the Great! for those they take away,
And those they leave me—For they left me Gay,
Left me to see neglected Genius bloom,
Neglected die! and tell it on his Tomb;
Of all thy blameless Life the sole Return
My Verse, and Queensb'ry weeping o'er thy Urn!
Give me on Thames's Banks, in honest Ease, 250
To see what Friends, or read what Books I please;
There let me live my own, and die so too,
"To live and die is all I have to do!"
Above a Patron, tho' I condescend
Sometimes to call a Minister my Friend: 255
I was not born for Courts or great Affairs,
I pay my Debts, believe, and go to Pray'rs,
Can sleep without a Poem in my head,
Nor know, if Dennis be alive or dead.
To see what Friends, or read what Books I please;
There let me live my own, and die so too,
"To live and die is all I have to do!"
Above a Patron, tho' I condescend
Sometimes to call a Minister my Friend: 255
I was not born for Courts or great Affairs,
I pay my Debts, believe, and go to Pray'rs,
Can sleep without a Poem in my head,
Nor know, if Dennis be alive or dead.
Why am I ask'd, what next shall see the light?
Heav'ns! was I born for nothing but to write?
Heav'ns! was I born for nothing but to write?
Has
