n. But I have enough of this
_Amiell_, as well as of his Muse, unless that by his means it occasions
a further account. And for what is mine here, It will at worst contract
censure, in respect it is a brief reflection on a very large Libel. And
tho' I believe it did not cost (tho' that be not offer'd for an excuse)
the tenth part of the time of the other. As to my Preface, I was willing
that he should find, that this smaller work has some Nose.--Tho' I am no
more bound to have my Face known by it, than he is willing to obscure
his by a Nameless Preamble.

[Asterisks used as side/footnote references are from the original
text.]

Poetical Reflections
ON A POEM,

CALLED
Absolon and Achitophel.

When late Protectorship was Canon-Proof,
And _Cap-a-pe_ had seiz'd on _Whitehall_-Roof,
And next, on _Israelites_ durst look so big,
That _Tory-like_, it lov'd not much the _Whigg_:
A Poet there starts up, of wondrous Fame;
Whether _Scribe_ or _Pharisee_, his Race doth name,
Or more t'intrigue the Metaphor of Man,
Got on a Muse by _Father-Publican_:
[Sidenote: A Committee-Man.]
For 'tis not harder much, if we tax Nature,
That Lines should give a Poet such a Feature;
Than that his Verse a _Hero_ should us show,
[Sidenote: _Sir Denzill Hollis_ seeks _annum mirabilis_.]
Produc'd by such a Feat, as famous too.
His Mingle such, what Man presumes to think,
But he can Figures daub with Pen and Ink.
A Grace our mighty _Nimrod_ late beheld,
When he within the Royal Palace dwell'd,
And saw 'twas of import if Lines could bring
His Greatness from _Usurper_, to be King:
[Sidenote: See his Poem on _Cromwel_.]
Or varnish so his Praise, that little odds
Should seem 'twixt him, and such called Earthly Gods.
And tho no Wit can Royal Blood infuse,
No more than melt a Mother to a Muse:
Yet much a certain Poet undertook,
That Men and Manners deals in without-Book.
And might not more to Gospel-Truth belong,
Than he (if Christened) does by name of _John._
This Poet, who that time much squanderd thought,
Of which some might bring Coyn, whilst some none brought,
As Men that hold their Brains of powerful sense,
Will least on Poet's Tales bestow their pence,
Tho he such Dispensations to endear,
Had notch'd his Sconce just level with his Ear.
An Emblem in these days of much import,
When Crop-ear'd Wits had such a Modish Court.
Tho some from after-deeds