OBSERVATIONS, &c. N3. NOTHING in our age, I have obferved, is more prepofterous, than the running judgments upon Poetry and Poets; when we fhall hear those things commended, and cried up for the best writings, which a man would scarce vouchsafe to wrap any wholesome drug in; he would never light his tobacco with them. And thofe men almost named for miracles, who are yet fo vile, that if a man fhould go about, to examine, and correct them, he must make all they have done, but one blot. Their good is fo intangled with their bad, as forcibly one muft draw on the other's death with it. A sponge dipt in ink will do all ; Non multa poffunt, una litura poteft. Yet their vices have not hurt them: Nay, a great many they have profited; for they have been loved for nothing else. And this falfe opinion grows ftrong against the best men: If once it take root with the Ignorant. Ceftius, in his time, was preferred to Cicero; fo far, as the ignorant durft. They learned him without book, and had him often in their mouths: But a man cannot imagine that thing fo foolish, or rude, but will find, and enjoy an admirer; at leaft, a reader, or Spectator. The puppets are feen now in defpight of the players; Heath's Epigrams, and the Skuller's Poems have their applaufe. There are never wanting, that dare prefer the worst Preachers, the worst Pleaders, the worst Poets: Not that the better have left to write, or speak better, but that they that hear them judge worfe; Non illi pejus dicunt, fed bi corruptius judicant. Nay, if it were put to the question of the Water-rimers works, against Spencer's, I doubt not, but they would find more Suffrages; because the most favour common vices, out of a prerogative the vulgar have, to lose their judgements; and like that which is naught. 3 Poetry, |