Page:An Essay on Poetry - Sheffield (1709).pdf/16

 The better by Example to convince, Cast but a view on this wrong side of Sence. First a Soliloquy is calmly made, Where every Reason is exactly weigh'd; Which once perform'd, most opportunely comes A Hero frighted at the Noise of Drums For her sweet sake, whom at first sight he loves, And all in Metaphor his passion proves; But some sad accident, tho yet unknown, Parting this Pair, to leave the Swain alone, He streight grows jealous, yet we know not why, And to oblige his Rival needs will dye; But first he makes a Speech, wherein he tells The absent Nymph how much his Flame excels, And yet bequeaths her generously now To that dear Rival whom he does not know, Who streight appears (but who can Fate withstand?) Too late alas to hold his hasty Hand, That just hast giv'n himself the cruel Stroke, At which this very Stranger's Heart is broke; He, more to his new Friend than Mistress kind, Most sadly mourns at being left behidbehind [sic], Of such a Death prefers the pleasing Charms To Love, and living in a Lady's Arms. How shameful, and what monstrous things are these? And then they rail at those they cannot please, Con-