Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/157

Rh Power of inventing terms may be allowed, Which Chaucer and his age ne'er understood; Provided always, as 'twas said before, We seldom, and discreetly use that power. Words new and foreign may be best brought in, If borrowed from a language near akin. Why should the peevish critics now forbid To Lee and Dryden, what was not denied To Shakespeare, Ben, and Fletcher heretofore, For which they praise, and commendation bore? If Spenser's Muse be justly so adored For that rich copiousness wherewith he stored Our native tongue, for God's sake why should I Straight be thought arrogant, if modestly I claim and use the self-same liberty? This the just right of poets ever was, And will be still, to coin what words they please, Well fitted to the present age and place. Words with the leaves of trees a semblance hold In this respect, where every year the old Fall off, and new ones in their places grow; Death is the fate of all things here below: Nature herself by art has changes felt, The Tangier mole (by our great monarch built) Like a vast bulwark in the ocean set, From pirates and from storms defends our fleet; Fens every day are drained, and men now plough, And sow, and reap, where they before might row; And rivers have been taught by Middleton From their old course within new banks to run, And pay their useful tribute to the town.

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