Page:Poems on several occasions (IA poemsonseveraloc00boyc).pdf/11



HE following juvenile pieces were written as opportunity invited: Nature confecrated their au- thor to the mufes, but Fortune to a ftudy widely diffe- rent: the influence of the former, were it only to fuf- tain exiftence, muft be circumfcrib'd by the latter; and, as our English Homer very juftly obferves,

One Science only will one Genius fit; So vast is art, fo narrow human wit.

It was thought neceffary to mention this, that criticiſin might perufe this mifcellany with a ſmoother brow. The Cantatas, Songs, &c. herein inferted, have already ftood the public trial; and the author retains a grateful fenfe of that applaufe, with which the town has re- ceived them, as well as his other fimilar productions, at the Theatres and public Gardens.

This fubfcription was open'd at the instance of his friends; defirous of ferving him in a method in which he was incapable to ferve himſelf; there being many qualities requifite to an undertaker of a work of this kind, the principal one a confummate ftock of effron- tery, of which he ingenuoufly confeffes himſelf not the poffeffor. He embraces this opportunity to return his fincere acknowledgements to thoſe who have interefted themſelves in his favour; particularly to James Steere, Efq; and Mr. Samuel Shuckburgh,