THE ROSCIAD.
5
Who blind obedience pay to ancient schools,
Bigots to Greece, and slaves to musty rules;
With solemn consequence declar'd that none
Could judge that cause but Sophocles alone. 90
Dupes to their fancied excellence, the crowd
Obsequious to the sacred dictate bow'd.
Bigots to Greece, and slaves to musty rules;
With solemn consequence declar'd that none
Could judge that cause but Sophocles alone. 90
Dupes to their fancied excellence, the crowd
Obsequious to the sacred dictate bow'd.
When, from amidst the throng a youth stood forth,
Unknown his person, not unknown his worth;
His looks bespoke applause; alone he stood, 95
Alone he stemm'd the mighty critic flood.
He talk'd of ancients as the man became
Who priz'd our own, but envied not their fame;
With noble rev'rence spoke of Greece and Rome,
And scorn'd to tear the laurel from the tomb. 100
Unknown his person, not unknown his worth;
His looks bespoke applause; alone he stood, 95
Alone he stemm'd the mighty critic flood.
He talk'd of ancients as the man became
Who priz'd our own, but envied not their fame;
With noble rev'rence spoke of Greece and Rome,
And scorn'd to tear the laurel from the tomb. 100
"But more than just to other countries grown,
"Must we turn base apostates to our own?
"Where do these words of Greece and Rome excel,
"That England may not please the ear as well?
"What mighty magic's in the place or air, 105
"That all perfection needs must center there?
"In states, let strangers blindly be prefer'd;
"In state of letters, merit should be heard.
"Genius is of no country, her pure ray
"Spreads all abroad as gen'ral as the day. 110
"Must we turn base apostates to our own?
"Where do these words of Greece and Rome excel,
"That England may not please the ear as well?
"What mighty magic's in the place or air, 105
"That all perfection needs must center there?
"In states, let strangers blindly be prefer'd;
"In state of letters, merit should be heard.
"Genius is of no country, her pure ray
"Spreads all abroad as gen'ral as the day. 110
"Foe
