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

Such late was Walsh--the Mufe's judge and friend,
Who justly knew to blame or to commend; 730
To failings mild, but zealous for defert;

The clearest head, and the fincerest heart.
This humble praife, lamented fhade! receive,
This praise at least a grateful Muse may give: 734
The Muse, 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 rife,
But in low numbers short excursions tries:
Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may
739

view,

The learn'd reflect on what before they knew:
Careless of cenfure, nor too fond of fame;
Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame;
Averse alike to flatter, or offend;

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

NOTES.

abfolute attachment to the Court, which carried him fome lengths beyond what the Duke could approve of. This nobleman's true character had been very well marked by Mr. Dryden before,

The Mufe's friend,

Himself a Muse. In Sanadrin's debate

True to his prince, but not a flave of state.

Abf. and Achit. Our Author was more happy; he was honoured very young with his friendship, and it continued till his death in all the circumstances of a familiar esteem. P.

VOL. I.

то

Mrs. ARABELLA FERMOR

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 witnefs, 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 defign, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to compleat 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 refpect like many modern Ladies : let an action be never fo trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. Thefe Machines I determined to raife on a very new and odd foundation, the Roficrucian doctrine of Spirits.

I know how disagreeable it is to make use 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 Roficrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best account I know of them is in