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Discourse on Criticism and of Poetry (1707) - From Poems On Several Occasions (1707) by Samuel Cobb
page 36 of 43 (83%)
But Man, that offspring of corrupting Clay,
Subject to Err, and Subject to Decay:
In Hopes, Desires, Will, Power, a numerous Train,
Uncertain, Fickle, Impotent and Vain:
Must tire the Heav'nly Muse with endless Prayer,
And call the smiling Angels to his care.
Must sleep less Nights, _Vulcanian_ Labours prove,
Like _Cyclops_, forging Thunder for a _Jove_.
With Flame begin thy Glorious Thoughts and Style,
Then Cool, and bring them to the smoothing File.
If You design to make Your Prince appear
As perfect as Humanity can bear.
Whom Vertues at th' expence of Danger please,
Deaf to the _Syrens_ of alluring ease.
No Terrours Thee, _Achilles_, could invade,
Nor Thee, _Ulysses_, any Charms persuade.
This must be done, if Poets would be Read,
Who seek to emulate the Sacred Dead.

Thus in bright Numbers and well polish'd Strains
_Virgilian Addison_ describes _Campaigns_.
Whose Verse, like a proportion'd Man, we find,
Not of the _Gyant_, nor the _Pygmy_ kind.
Such Symmetry appears o'er all the Song,
Lofty with justness, and with Caution strong.

This _Congreve_ follows in his Deathless Line,
And the _Tenth Hand_ is put to the Design.
The Happy boldness of his Finish'd Toil
Claims more than _Shakespear's_ Wit, or _Johnson's_ Oil.
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