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OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 1, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Go, numbers, boldly pass, stay not for aid
Last Line: Phœbus shuns none but in their flight from him.
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Go, numbers, boldly pass, stay not for aid
Of shifting rime, that easy flatterer,
Whose witchcraft can the ruder ears beguile;
Let your smooth feet, inured to purer art,
True measures tread. What if your pace be slow.
And hops not like the Grecian elegies?
It is yet graceful, and well fits the state
Of words ill-breathed and not shaped to run.
Go then, but slowly, till your steps be firm;
Tell them that pity, or perversely scorn,
Poor English poesy as the slave to rime,
You are those lofty numbers that revive
Triumphs of princes, and stern tragedies:
And learn henceforth t'attend those happy sprites
Whose bounding fury height and weight affects.
Assist their labour, and sit close to them,
Never to part away till for desert
Their brows with great Apollo's bays are hid.
He first taught number and true harmony,
Nor is the laurel his for rime bequeathed;
Call him with numerous accents paised by art,
He'll turn his glory from the sunny climes
The North-bred wits alone to patronise:
Let France their Bartas, Italy Tasso praise;
Phœbus shuns none but in their flight from him.





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