61
Free from all tawdry and imposing glare
They trusted to their native grace of air.
Rapt'rous and wild the trembling soul they seize, }
Or sly coy beauties steal it by degrees; } 65
The more you view them still the more they please. }
Yet there are thousands of scholastic merit
Who worm their sense out but ne'er taste their spirit.
Witness each pedant under Bentley bred;
Each commentator that e'er commented. 70
(You scarce can seize a spot of classic ground,
With leagues of Dutch morass so floated round.)
Witness--but, Sir, I hold a cautious pen,
Lest I should _wrong_ some _honourable men_.
They grow enthusiasts too--_'Tis true! 'tis pity!_ 75
But 'tis not every lunatic that's witty.
Some have run Maro--and some Milton--mad,
Ashley once turn'd a solid barber's head:
Hear all that's said or printed if you can,
Ashley has turn'd more solid heads than one. 80
Let such admire each great or specious name;
For right or wrong the joy to them's the same.
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