With tyranny, then superstition join'd, At length Erafmus, that great, injur'd name,, But fee! each mufe, in Leo's golden days, Shakes off the duft, and rears his rev'rend head! Stones leap'd to form, and rocks began to live; * M. Hieronymus Vida, an excellent Latin poet, who writ an·· ars of poetry in verse. He flourish'd in the time of Leo the tenth. But. But foon by impious arms from Latium chas'd, Fierce for the liberties of wit, and bold, Yet fome there were among the founder few And here reftor'd wit's fundamental laws. Such was the mufe, whofe rules and practice tell, * Nature's chief mafter-piece is writing well. Such was Rofcommon-not more learn'd than good, To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, Such late was Walsh,the mufe's judge and friend, *An effay on poetry by the duke of Buckingham. To To failings mild, but zealous for defert; Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame; Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. THE THE RAPE of the LOCK AN HEROI-COMICAL POEM. Written in the year 1712. Nolueram, Belinda, tuos violare capillos, MARTIAL. |