EPILOGUE. and yours Poets, like disputants, when reasons fail, in prose : For, 'faith, the quarrel rightly understood, 'Tis civil war with their own flesh and blood. The thread-bare author hates the gaudy coat; And swears at the gilt coach, but swears a-foot : For ’tis observed of every scribbling man, He grows a fop as fast as e'er he can; Prunes up, and asks his oracle, the glass, If pink and purple best become his face. For our poor wretch, he neither rails nor prays ; Nor likes your wit just as you like his plays; He has not yet so much of Mr Bayes. He does his best; and if he cannot please, Would quietly sue out his writ of ease. Yet, if he might his own grand jury call, By the fair sex he begs to stand or fall. Let Cæsar's power the men's ambition move, But grace you him, who lost the world for love! Yet if some antiquated lady say, The last age is not copied in his play; Heaven help the man who for that face must drudge, Which only has the wrinkles of a judge ! Let not the young and beauteous join with those ; For should you raise such numerous hosts of foes, Young wits and sparks he to his aid must call; 'Tis more than one man's work to please you all. END OF THE FIFTH VOLUME. EDINBURGH: |