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Cowley might boast to have performed this part,
Had he with Nature joyn'd the Rules of Art;
But ill Expression gives sometimes Allay
To that rich Fancy, which can ne'er decay:
Tho all appear in Heat and Fury done,
The Language still must soft and easie run.
These Laws may seem a little too severe,
But Judgment yields, and Fancy governs there;
Which, tho' extravagant, this Muse allows,
And makes the work much easier than it shews.
Of all the Ways that wisest Men could findSatyr.
To mend the Age, and mortifie Mankind,
Satyr well writ has most successful prov'd,
And cures, because the Remedy is lov'd.
'Tis hard to write on such a subject more,
Without repeating Things said oft before.
Some vulgar Errors only we remove,
That stain this Beauty which so much we love.
Of well chose Words some take not care enough,
And think they should be as the Subject rough;
This great work must be more exactly made,
And sharpest Thoughts in smoothest words convey'd:
Some think, if sharp enough, they cannot fail,
As if their only Business was to rail;
But human Frailty nicely to unfold,
Distinguishes a Satyr from a Scold.
