ould not chuse to _hawk_ at _Flies_ }
They'd _snap_ 'em, should their _buzzing Swarms_ arise }
Importunate, and hurt their _Sun bright Eyes_. }
Nor should the _Muses Birds_ at _random_ fly,
And _strike_ at all, lest if they strike _they die_.
Why should we still be _lazily content_ 260
With thredbare _Schemes_, and nothing _new_ invent?
All _Arts_ besides _improve, Sea, Air_ and _Land_ }
Are every day with _nicer Judgment_ scan'd, }
And why should _this_ alone be at a _stand_? }
Or _Nature_ largely to the _Ancients_ gave
And little did for _younger Children_ save;
Or rather we _impartial Nature_ blame
To hide our _Sloth_, and cover o'er our _Shame_;
As _Sinners_, when their _Reason's_ drown'd in _Sense_,
Fall out with _Heav'n_, and quarrel _Providence_. 270
Yet should you our _Galenic Way_ despise,
And some _new Colbatch_ of the _Muses_ rise;
No _Quarter_ from the _College_ hope, who sit
_Infallible_ at _Will's_ and judg of _Sense_ and _Wit_:
Keep fair with these, or _Fame_ you _court_ in vain,
A strict _Neutrality_ at least _maintain_!
Speak, like the wise _Italian_, well of all;
Who knows into what _Hands_ he's doom'd to _fall_?
Write _oft_ and _much_, at _first_, if you'd _write well_,
For he who ne'er _attempts_ will ne'er _excel_; 280
_Practice_ will _file_ your _Verse_, your _Thoughts refine_,
And _Beauty_ give, and _Grace_ to every Line:
The _Gnat_ to fam'd _AEneis_ led the way,
And our _Immortal_ COWLEY once did _play_.
Let not the _Sun of Life_ in vain decline,
Or _Time_ run _waste; No Day without a Line_.
Yet learn by me, my Friend, from _Errors_ past;
O never _write_, or never _Print_ in _Haste_!
The _worst Excuse_ Ill Authors e'er advance,
Which does, like _Lies_, a _single Guilt_ enhance. 290
Lay by your _Work_, and leave it on the _Loom_,
Which if at _mod'rate distance_ you resume,
A _Father's Fondness_ you'll with Ease look through,
And _Objects_ in a proper _Medium_ view.
'Tis _Time_ alone can _Strength_ and _Ripeness_ give;
A _Hasty Birth_ can ne'er expect to _live_.
Fly, _low_ at first, you'll with Advantage _rise_;
This _pleases_ all, as that will all _surprize_.
[Sidenote: _The Subject_.]
No _Work_ attempt but where your _Strength_ you know,
B