Page:An Essay on Poetry - Sheffield (1709).pdf/11

 Rage you must hide, and Prejudice lay down, A Satyr's Smile is sharper than his Frown; So while you seem to slight some Rival Youth, Malice it self may pass sometimes for Truth. The Laureat here may justly claim our Praise, Crown'd by Mac-Fleckno with immortal Bays; Tho' prais'd and punish'd for another's Rhimes, His own deserve as great Applause sometimes; But once his Pegasus has born dead weight, Rid by some lumpish Minister of State. Here rest, my Muse, suspend my Cares a while, A greater Enterprise attends thy toil; And as some Eagle that designs to fly A long unwonted Journey through the Sky. Considers all the dangerous way before, Over what Lands and Seas she is to soar, Doubts her own strength so far, and justly fears That lofty Road of Airy Travellars; But yet incited by some fair Design, That does her Hopes beyond her Fears incline, Prunes every Feather, views her self with Care, At last resolved, she cleaves the yielding Air. Away she flies, so strong, so high, so fast, She lessons to us, and is lost at last. So