Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/154

 HOULD some ill painter, in a wild design, To a man's head a horse's shoulders join, Or fish's tail to a fair woman's waist, Or draw the limbs of many a different beast, Ill matched, and with as motley feathers dressed; If you by chance were to pass by his shop, Could you forbear from laughing at the fop, And not believe him whimsical or mad? Credit me, sir, that book is quite as bad, As worthy laughter, which throughout is filled With monstrous inconsistencies, more vain, and wild Than sick men's dreams, whose neither head, nor tail, Nor any parts in due proportion fall. But 'twill be said, 'None ever did deny Painters and poets their free liberty