Page:Vida's Art of Poetry.djvu/17

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VIDA's Art of

And let the theme in different prospects roll
Deep in your thoughts, and grow into the soul.

But e'er with sails unfurld you fly away,
And cleave the bosom of the boundless sea;
A fund of words and images prepare,
And lay the bright materials up with care.
Which, at due time, occasion may produce,
All rang'd in order for the poet's use.
Some happy objects by meer chance are brought
From hidden causes to th' unconscious thought;
Which if once lost, you labour long in vain
To catch the ideal fugitives again.
Nor must I fail their conduct to extol
Who, when they lay the basis of the whole,
Explore the antients with a watchful eye,
Lay all their charms and elegancies by,
Then to their use the precious spoils apply.

At first without the least restraint compose,
And mould the future poem into prose;

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