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To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, And ev'ry author's merit, but his own.

Such late was Walsh-the Muse's judge and friend, Who juftly knew to blame or to commend ; 731 To failings mild, but zealous for defert;

The clearest head, and the fincerest heart.

This humble praise, lamented shade! receive,
This praise at least a grateful Mufe may give: 735
The Mufe, whofe early voice you taught to fing,
Prescrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing,
(Her guide now loft) no more attempts to rise,
But in low numbers fhort excurfions tries:
Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view,
The learn'd reflect on what before they knew:
Careless of cenfure, nor too fond of fame;
Still pleas'd to praife, yet not afraid to blame;
Averfe alike to flatter, or offend;

739

Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 745

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ΤΟ

Mrs. ARABELLA

FERMOR.

I

MADAM,

T will be in vain to deny that I have fome regard for this piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet You may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good fenfe and good humour enough to laugh not only at their fex's little unguarded follies, but at their own. But as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it foon found its way into the world. An imperfect copy having been offer'd to a Bookfeller, you had the good-nature for my fake to confent to the publication of one more correct: This I was forc'd to, before I had executed half my design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it.

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to fignify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Dæmons are made to act in a Poem: For the ancient Poets are in one respect like many modern Ladies : let an action be never fo trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. These Machines I determin'd to raise on a very new and odd foundation, the Roficrufian doctrine of Spirits.

I know how difagreeable it is to make ufe of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis fo much the concern of a Poet to have his works understood, and particularly by your Sex, that you must give me leave to explain two or three difficult

terms.

The Roficrufians are a people I muft bring you acquainted with. The best account I know of them is in a French book call'd Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in its title and fize is fo

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