To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known,
And ev'ry author's merit, but his own.
Such late was Walsh– the Muse's judge and friend,
Who justly knew to blame or to commend ; 731
To failings mild, but zealous for desert;
The clearest head, and the sincereft heart.
This humble praise, lamented shade! receive,
This praise at least a grateful Muse may give: 735
The Muse, whose early voice you taught to sing,
Prescrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing,
(Her guide now loft) no more attempts to rise,
But in low numbers short excursions tries :

739
Content, if hence th’unlearn'd their wants may view,
The learn'd reflect on what before they knew :
Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame;
Still pleas’d to praise, yet not afraid to blame;
Averse alike to flatter, or offend ;
Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 745

TO

Mrs. ARAB E L LA FERMOR.

MADAM,
T will be in vain to deny that I have some regard for this

piece, fince I dedicate it to You. Yet You may bear me witness, it was intended only to divert a few young Ladies, who have good sense and good humour enough to laugh not only at their sex's little unguarded follies, but at their own, But as it was communicated with the air of a Secret, it soon found its way into the world, An imperfect copy having been offer'd to a Bookseller, you had the good-nature for my

fake to consent to the publication of one more correct: This I was forc'd to, before I had executed half my design, for the Machinery was entirely wanting to complete it.

The Machinery, Madam, is a term invented by the Critics, to signify that part which the Deities, Angels, or Dæmons are made to act in a Poem: For the ancient Poets are in one respect like many modern Ladies : let an action be never so trivial in itself, they always make it appear of the utmost importance. . These Machines I determin’d to raise on a very new and odd foundation, the Rosicrusian doctrine of Spirits.

I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a Lady; but 'tis fo much the concern of a Poet to have his works understood, and particularly by your Sex, that you must give me leave to explain two or three difficult

terms.

The Rosicrusians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best accourt I know of them is in a French book callid Le Comte de Gabalis, which both in its title and size is lo