Thus Critics, of less judgment than caprice,
Curious, not knowing, not exact, but nice,
Form short Ideas; and offend in arts
(As most in manners) by a love to parts.

Some to Conceit alone their taste confine,
And glitt ring thoughts struck out at ev'ry line;
Pleas'd with a work where nothing's just or fit;
One glaring Chaos and wild heap of wit.
Poets, like painters, thus, unskill'd to trace
The naked nature and the living grace,
With gold and jewels cover ev'ry part,
And hide with ornaments their want of art.
True Wit is Nature to advantage dress'd,
What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd;
Something, whose truth convinc'd at sight we find,
That gives us back the image of our mind.
As shades more sweetly recommend the light,
So modest plainness sets off sprightly wit.
For works may have more wit than does 'em good,
As bodies perish thro' excess of blood.

Others for Language all their care express, And value books, as women men, for Dress: Their Praise is still,--the Style is excellent: The Sense, they humbly take upon content. Words are like leaves; and where they most abound, Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found, False eloquence, like the prismatic glass, Its gaudy colours spreads on ev'ry place; The face of nature we no more survey, All glares alike, without distinction gay; But true Expression, like th' unchanging Sun, Clears, and improves whate'er it shines upon, It gilds all objects, but it alters none. Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent, as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd: For diff'rent styles with diff'rent subjects sort, As several garbs, with country, town, and court. Some by old words to fame have made pretence, Ancients in phrase, mere moderns in their sense; Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd, and make the learned smile.

Unlucky, as Fungoso in the play,
These sparks with awkward vanity display
What the fine gentleman wore yesterday;
And but so mimic ancient wits at best;
As apes our grandsires, in their doublets drest.
In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold;
Alike fantastic, if too new or old:

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

The CHOICE of HERCULES:
FROM THE GREEK OF PRODICUs.
(SPENCE.)

Now had the son of Jove, mature, attain'd
The joyful prime; when youth, elate and gay,
Steps into life; and follows unrestrain'd
Where passion leads, or prudence points the way.
In the pure mind, at whose ambiguous years,
Or vice, rank weed, first strikes her pois'nous root;
Or haply virtue's op'ning bud appears

By just degrees; fair bloom of fairest fruit:
For, if on youth's untainted thought imprest,
The gen'rous purpose still shall warm the manly breast.

As on a day, reflecting on his age,

For highest deeds now ripe, Alcides sought
Retirement, nurse of contemplation sage;

Step following step, and thought succeeding thought:
Musing, with steady pace the youth pursu'd
His walk, and, lost in meditation, stray'd

Far in a lonely vale, with solitude

Conversing; while intent his mind survey'd
The dubious path of life: before him lay
Here virtue's rough ascent, there pleasure's flow'ry way.

Much did the view divide his wavering mind:
Now glow'd his breast with generous thirst of fame:
Now love of ease to softer thoughts inclin'd
His yielding soul, and quench'd the rising flame:
When, lo! far off two female forms he 'spies;
Direct to him their steps they seem to bear;

Both large and tall, exceeding human size;
Both far exceeding human beauty, fair.
Graceful, yet each with different grace, they move:
This, striking sacred awe; that, softer winning love.

}

The first in native dignity surpass'd;
Artless and unadorn'd she pleas'd the more:

Health o'er her looks a genuine lustre cast;
A vest, more white than new-fall'n snow, she wore.
August she trod, yet modest was her air;
Serene her eye, yet darting heav'nly fire.

Still she drew near; and nearer still more fair,
More mild appear'd: yel such as might inspire
Pleasure corrected with an awful fear;
Majestically sweet, and amiably severe.

The other dame seem'd ev'n of fairer hue; And bold her mien; unguarded rov'd her eye;

And her flush d cheeks confess'd at nearer view The borrow'd blushes of an artful dye.

All soft and delicate, with airy swim Lightly she danc d along; her robe betray'd

Thro' the clear texture every tender limb, Height'ning the charms it only scem'd to shade: And as it flow'd adown, so loose and thin, Her stature shew'd more tall; more snowy-white, her skin.

Oft with a smile she view'd herself askance ; Ev'n on her shade a conscious look she threw: Then all around her cast a careless glance, To mark what gazing eyes her beauty drew.

As they came near, before that other maid, Approaching decent, eagerly she press'd

With hasty step; nor of repulse afraid,

With freedom bland the wond'ring youth address'd;
With winning fondness on his neck she hung;
Sweet as the honey-dew flow'd her enchanting tongue."

"Dear Hercules, whence this unkind delay?
Dear youth, what doubts can thus distract thy mind?
Securely follow, where I lead the way;
And range thro' wilds of pleasure unconfin'd.

With me retire, from noise, and pain, and care,
Embath'd in bliss, and wrapt in endless ease:

Rough is the road to fame, thro' blood and war;
Smooth is my way, and all my paths are peace.
With me retire, from toils and perils free;

Leave honour to the wretch! pleasures were made for thee.

Then will I grant thee all thy soul's desire;
All that may charm thine ear, and please thy sight:
All that thy thought can frame, or wish require,
To steep thy ravish'd senses in delight:

The sumptuous feast, enhanc'd with music's sound; Fittest to tune the melting soul to love :

Rich odours, breathing choicest sweets around; The fragrant bow'r, cool fountain, shady grove; Fresh flow'rs, to strew thy couch, and crown thy head; Joy shall attend thy steps, and ease shall smooth thy bed.

These will I freely, constantly supply;
Pleasures, not earn'd with toil, nor mix'd with woe;
Far from thy rest repining want shall fly;
Nor labour bathe in sweat thy careful brow.

Mature the copious harvest shall be thine;
Let the laborious hind subdue the soil:

Leave the rash soldier spoils of war to win;
Won by the soldier thou shalt share the spoil:
These softer cares my blest allies employ,
New pleasures to invent; to wish, and to enjoy."

Her winning voice the youth attentive caught: He gaz'd impatient on the smiling maid;

""

Still gaz'd and listen'd: then her name besought: My name, fair youth, is happiness," she said. "Well can my friends this envy d truth maintain: They share my bliss; they best can speak my praise; Tho' Slander call me Sloth-detraction vain! Heed not what Slander, vain detractor, says: Slander, still prompt true merit to defame; To blot the brightest worth, and blast the fairest name.'

By this, arriv'd the fair majestic maid:

(She all the while, with the same modest pace, Compos'd, advanc'd.) "Know, Hercules," she said With manly tone, “ thy birth of heav'nly race;

Thy tender age that lov'd instruction's voice, Promis'd thee gen'rous, patient, brave, and wise;

When manhood should confirm thy glorious choice: Now expectation waits to see thee rise. Rise, youth! exalt thyself, and me: approve Thy high descent from heav'n; and dare be worthy Jove.

But what truth prompts, my tongue shall not disguise;
The steep ascent must be with toil subdu'd:
Watching and cares must win the lofty prize
Propos'd by heaven: true bliss, and real good.
Honour rewards the brave and bold alone:
She spurns the timorous, indolent, and base:

Danger and toil stand stern before her throne,
And guard (so Jove commands) the sacred place:
Who seeks her must the mighty cost sustain,
And pay the price of fame-labour, and care, and pain.

Would'st thou engage the gods' peculiar care? O Hercules, th' immortal powers adore!

With a pure heart, with sacrifice and pray'r Attend their altars; and their aid implore.

Or would'st thou gain thy country's loud applause, Lov'd as her father, as her god adord?

Be thou the bold asserter of her cause;

Her voice, in council; in the fight, her sword. In peace, in war, pursue thy country's good; For her, bare thy bold breast, and pour thy generous blood.

Would'st thon, to quell the proud and lift th' opprest,

In arts of war and matchless strength excel?
First conquer thou thyself. To ease, to rest,
To each soft thought of pleasure, bid farewel.
The night alternate, due to sweet repose,
In watches waste; in painful march, the day :

Congeal'd, amidst the rigorous winter's snows;
Scorch'd, by the summer's thirst-inflaming ray.
Thy harden'd limbs shall boast superior might:
Vigour shall brace thine arm, resistless in the fight."

"Hear'st thou, what monsters then thou must engage? What dangers, gentle youth, she bids thee prove?" (Abrupt says Sloth) "Ill fit thy tender age Tumult and wars; fit age, for joy and love.

Turn, gentle youth, to me, to love and joy!
To these I lead: no monsters here shall stay

Thine easy course; no cares thy peace annoy:
I lead to bliss a nearer, smoother way.
Short is my way; fair, easy, smooth, and plain :
Turn, gentle youth! with me eternal pleasures reign."