") Thus far the
learned Menage, whom I have translated word for word.
The first occasion of these bouts-rimes made them in some manner
excusable, as they were tasks which the French ladies used to impose
on their lovers. But when a grave author, like him above-mentioned,
tasked himself, could there be anything more ridiculous? Or would
not one be apt to believe that the author played booty, and did not
make his list of rhymes till he had finished his poem?
I shall only add that this piece of false wit has been finely
ridiculed by Monsieur Sarasin, in a poem entitled "La Defaite des
Bouts-Rimes." (The Rout of the Bouts-Rimes).
I must subjoin to this last kind of wit the double rhymes, which are
used in doggrel poetry, and generally applauded by ignorant readers.
If the thought of the couplet in such compositions is good, the
rhyme adds little to it; and if bad, it will not be in the power of
the rhyme to recommend it. I am afraid that great numbers of those
who admire the incomparable "Hudibras," do it more on account of
these doggrel rhymes than of the parts that really deserve
admiration. I am sure I have heard the
Pulpit, drum ecclesiastic,
Was beat with fist, instead of a stick (Canto I, II),
and--
There was an ancient philosopher
Who had read Alexander Ross over
(Part I.
Pages:
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90