And sometimes equal _Sounds_ his _Numbers_ grac'd;
Till with the more than _human Labour_ tir'd,
He _drop'd_ his _Rhime_, and own'd him _uninspir'd_.
ORPHEUS and HOMER too, who first did dream
Of _num'rous Gods_, and left the _One Supreme,
Religion_ both and _Poetry_ did wrong,
_Apostatiz'd_ from _Rhime_, and lost the _Soul of Song_. 560
Yet still some weak and glimm'ring _Sparks_ remain'd,
And still our _Great Forefathers_ this retain'd;
Nor _Inundations_ of _Barbarian Rome_,
Our ancient _Rhime_ could wholly overcome.
[Sidenote: _Vide p._ 13.]
Ne'er _cramp_ thy _Reason_ for some paltry _Chime_,
Nor sacrifice _Good Sense_ to _Numbers_ and to _Rhime_:
Both may be _sav'd_ and made _good Friends_; and here
The Poets _Art_ and _Happiness_ appear:
But when some _stubborn Word_ denies to draw
In _Numbers_, and defies the _Muses Law_, 570
Reject it strait, unworthy such a _Grace_,
Another _yoke_ which better fills the _Place_:
Much _Reading_ will thy _Poverty_ amend
And _Taggs_ without the help of _Crambo_ lend.
The _Double Rhime_ is _antiquated_ grown,
Or us'd in _Satyr_ or _Burlesque_ alone;
Nor loves our stronger _Tongue_ that tinkling _Chime_,
The _Darling_ of the _French_, a _Female Rhime_.
Now, daring _Muse_! attempt a _stronger Flight_,
Beyond a _Vulgar Verser's_ cautious Height, 580
Beyond thy self, and consecrate to _Fame_ }
Those who a _Title_ to the _Laurel_ claim, }