Page:Horace's Art of Poetry made English - Roscommon (1680).djvu/33

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I fret to see them in such company,
And wonder by what Magick they came there.
But in long Works, Sleep will sometimes surprize,
Homer himself hath been observ'd to nodd.
Poems (like Pictures) are of different Sorts,
Some better at a distance, others near,
Some love the dark, some chuse the clearest light,
And boldly challenge the most piercing Eye,
Some please for once, some will for ever please;
But Piso (tho your own Experience,
Join'd with your Fathers precepts make you wise)
Remember this as an important truth;
Some things admit of Mediocrity,
A Counsellor or Pleader at the Bar,
May want Messalas powerfull Eloquence,
Or be less read than deep Cassellius;
Yet this indifferent Lawyer is esteem'd;
But no authority of Gods nor Men,

Allow