Page:Songs compleat, pleasant and divertive (Wit and mirth or, Pills to purge melancholy).djvu/360



The Author answers his Friend, who blames him for not Singing when desir'd: He contradicts the Third Satyr of, beginning with Omnibus hoc vitium est Cantoribus, ''&c. He defends, and proves that had no actual Skill in Vocal'' MUSICK.

IF this strange Vice in all good Singers were, As the admir'd Horace does declare; That if, when ask'd tho' blest with Health and Ease, Their choicest Friends, they still deny to Please: And yet unask'd, will rudely Sing so long, To tire each Friend, with each repeated Song: I strongly then, should take his Satyr's part, Lash the Performers, and despise their Art; But having studied long enough to be A small Proficient in that Faculty: I found, when I that rigid Version met, 'Twas more from Prejudice, than Judgment writ; And Horace was in his Reproof more free, Because Tigellius was his Enemy: Whose frequent Vices caus'd that fierce Assault, And all the rest are lash'd for one Man's fault; Satyr should never take from Malice Aid, For, with due Reverence to Horace paid; Who rails at Faults, through Pers'nal Prejudice, Shews more his own, than shame another's Vice: Tigellius, as his Character is plain,        } Was of a Humour most absurd and vain,          } Fantastick in his Garb, unsettled in his Brain: } And if (as once great Cæsar he deny'd) When ask'd to Sing, 'twere the effect of Pride;