Who shew'd _Columbus_ where the _Indies_ lay?
True to thy self, _charge through_, and _force_ to _Fame_ the way!
If _Envy snarl_, indulge it no _Reply_,
Write _better_ still, and let it _burst_ and _die_!
Rest pleas'd if you can please the _Wiser Few_,
Since _to please all is more than Heav'n it self can do_.
There are who _can_ whate'er they _will_ believe, 240
That _Bail's_ too hard for _Beady_, _Three_ are _Five_:
That Nature, Justice, Reason, Truth must fall,
With _Clear Idea's_ they'll _confound_ 'em all:
That _Parallels_ may _travel_ till they _meet_;
_Faith_ they can find in L----, no _Sense_ in STILLINGFLEET.
Disturb 'em not, but let 'em still enjoy
Th' _unenvy'd Charms_ of their _Eternal Moi_.
If to the _craggy Top of Fame_ you rise,
Those who are _lab'ring after_ ne'er _despise_.
Nor those _above_ on _Honours_ dazling Seat } 250
Tho _disoblig'd_, with _sawcy Rudeness_ treat, }
_Revenge_ not always is _below the Great_. }
Their _Stronger Genius_ may o'er thine prevail:
_Wit, Power_ and _Anger_ join'd but rarely fail.
Tho _Eagles_ would not chuse to _hawk_ at _Flies_ }
They'd _snap_ 'em, should their _buzzing Swarms_ arise }
Importunate, and hurt their _Sun bright Eyes_. }
Nor should the _Muses Birds_ at _random_ fly,
And _strike_ at all, lest if they strike _they die_.
Why should we still be _lazily content_ 260
With thredbare _Schemes_, and nothing _new_ invent?
All _Arts_ besides _improve, Sea, Air_ and _Land_ }
Are every day with _nicer Judgment_ scan'd, }