And why should _this_ alone be at a _stand_? }
Or _Nature_ largely to the _Ancients_ gave
And little did for _younger Children_ save;
Or rather we _impartial Nature_ blame
To hide our _Sloth_, and cover o'er our _Shame_;
As _Sinners_, when their _Reason's_ drown'd in _Sense_,
Fall out with _Heav'n_, and quarrel _Providence_. 270
Yet should you our _Galenic Way_ despise,
And some _new Colbatch_ of the _Muses_ rise;
No _Quarter_ from the _College_ hope, who sit
_Infallible_ at _Will's_ and judg of _Sense_ and _Wit_:
Keep fair with these, or _Fame_ you _court_ in vain,
A strict _Neutrality_ at least _maintain_!
Speak, like the wise _Italian_, well of all;
Who knows into what _Hands_ he's doom'd to _fall_?
Write _oft_ and _much_, at _first_, if you'd _write well_,
For he who ne'er _attempts_ will ne'er _excel_; 280
_Practice_ will _file_ your _Verse_, your _Thoughts refine_,
And _Beauty_ give, and _Grace_ to every Line:
The _Gnat_ to fam'd _Æneis_ led the way,
And our _Immortal_ COWLEY once did _play_.
Let not the _Sun of Life_ in vain decline,
Or _Time_ run _waste; No Day without a Line_.
Yet learn by me, my Friend, from _Errors_ past;
O never _write_, or never _Print_ in _Haste_!
The _worst Excuse_ Ill Authors e'er advance,
Which does, like _Lies_, a _single Guilt_ enhance. 290
Lay by your _Work_, and leave it on the _Loom_,
Which if at _mod'rate distance_ you resume,
A _Father's Fondness_ you'll with Ease look through,